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Turntable Help

Hello,

I'm about to dive into the audio world (but with a teacher's salary), and was wondering if you could help me out. I had been looking at the Rega RP1 with the Performance Pack as a somewhat affordable option for my first ever turntable, but I recently realized that there is now the Planar 1 which replaced the RP1. The Planar 1 is as expensive as the RP1 w/P2 but doesn't have as good of a cartridge (so the interweb tells me). Should I buy the RP1 with performance pack or the new Planar 1 without one?

OR should I buy the new Planar 1 WITH a performance pack (upwards of $670 total as far as I can tell) or a Planar 2? This would be really stretching the budget but somewhat doable.

Also, what online store is the best for buying a Rega?

Thanks for your help.
jaydough76
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,862 posts
 
Spend the most you can on the latest model. You won't regret it down the road. No dealer nearby? Chat to the nearest and see if they ship.
wolf_garcia
6,712 posts
 
Not to throw a wrench into the thread, but I’m looking to replace a table at some point and the non adjustable Rega VTA still vexes me. I get Rega’s reasoning, but I don’t know of any other table company that doesn’t allow tweaking of what seems to be REAL IMPORTANT (VTA), except for shimming the arm which just seems like a sketchy and possibly inaccurate band aid approach…if the p6 arm had adjustable VTA I’d buy one immediately as the platter and electronic speed control (in fact everything else about it) seem very cool.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
If you have no dealer nearby, then google Music Direct or Needle Doctor.

I was not at all impressed with the RP1; it is very lightweight and does not have the 24volt motor that the Planar 1 and 2 have. And as you've mentioned, get the best cartridge offered.
tbromgard
814 posts
 
new planar 1 hands down
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
Wolfgarcia, every cartridge doesn't require an adjustment for the VTA.  For reasons unknown to me "Lyra" always seems to need that adjustment.   Those tonearms in Rega are precise, meaning each and every one of them is identical; you could discover whether or not the cartridge will require that adjustment before you buy it.
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