Rega system one advice as its on sale right now?


Buying my first vinyl setup. Looking around at the different options I see the rega system one kit that includes the planner 1, Io amp and Kyte speakers is on sale right now for $1349US normally $2115. Is this my best option at this price or is there anything else better around the same price or lower? Thanks in advance for any advice you all can give here.

ranmart

@grislybutter   My room is 13 feet by 10.5 feet. I can spend a bit more if something better is on sale. I do see the kyte speakers  are hit or miss by reviewers on youtube but not seeing too much on sale. Looking to spend between $500-$1000 each for the turn table, amp and speakers if you or anyone else has any recommendations? Not too knowledgeable on vinyl setups so do not know the importance of each piece and what piece to put the most money into. I do see a bit of a sale on the kef q350 if anyone has experience with that brand?

@ranmart I would order it if there is a return option. Again, to me the speaker is the weak link in this Rega package.

The easiest way to upgrade is to buy gear that others want - it will be easy to sell and not lose money. I think the most important part of the system is the amp. I learned it slowly and at my own expense but it’s the soul and heart of your system. The second most important thing for me was aesthetics/culture.

Your room is a nice size for smaller speakers to make it work.

I don’t like brand recommendations because it’s so subjective, I think there are 20+ brands in each category that work well. The key is how they work together, the magic word: synergy.

I swear by Rega and Fluance for turntable. I also had Project and mmf, Project is great too.

I would research what phono amps are best in integrated amps, because there is a wide range, I only know the brands I had and kept.

I spent a lot of time to test speakers in the 1000-1500 range, new so that I could try them out, but they cost 5-700 used. I tried 9 different pairs in 5 months and the more I tested, the unhappier I became.

I only fell in love with Monitor Audio, Dynaudio and Totem speakers but it’s all subjective. In your price range there are a lot of cool speaker brands, the resale value would be decent on Sonus, KEF, Klipsch, B&W, etc. If you have the time, look at usaudiomart, where I bought and sold most of my gear. I read great things about the Zu, and I am very interested in Buchardt and Harbeth/Spendor speakers, higher end of the budget.

There are audiophiles with gear worth of 10s of 1000s on this forum, the only reason I comment now is that I had the same budget as you. I eventually ended up with Rega P3 - slightly used, MF A3.2 Amp, used and Dynaudio Evoke, new speakers. I can’t say I am happier than I was 3 years ago when I started switching everything out, but that’s the bug thing, it’s about the journey. My marriage is definitely under a lot of stress because of this. :)

the good thing about your budget is that audiophiles with the bug will want to upgrade from their current system and will sell their grear for under a $1000 that they bought for way more. It just takes time.

If you can listen to it and it sounds good to you, I would buy it. You are not buying your last system anymore than your first computer was your last either. Dip your toe in the water, see if you like playing records and you will be in a much better position after you get a feel for how everything works and what it does. Keep in mind that a system like this is not going to shake the walls. It’s going to play music at modest volumes with reasonable fidelity. And the price is very good. 

@chayro @grislybutter   Found a combo for only $1500US. Amazon UK ship's Rega products here and Rega is much cheaper from the UK for some reason. For $1500 it would be Rega planner 2, Rega IO amp and Kef Q350 speakers. I have only found one  small sound clip of the Rega kyte speakers online so not much to go on to compare them to the Q350.

@ranmart 

KEF is a solid speaker and Rega P2 is a step up too. I think it will be adequate for your room