I have owned the Rega 2000 Planet and I never thought of it as bright. In fact I would say it is 'meaty' and 'focused' not the last word in detail or extension but the instruments are highlighted in a nice way and it is probably euphonic as well. I now own a Sony 9000 ES and even though I have changed wire since the Planet I would GUESS the Planet is more pleasent in the midrange but the Sony has better extension and detail.
BTW the reason I bought the Sony and sold the planet is because I wanted an all in one DVD (I care how my movies sound) and CD player - with SACD thrown in for fun.
BTW the reason I bought the Sony and sold the planet is because I wanted an all in one DVD (I care how my movies sound) and CD player - with SACD thrown in for fun.