Rega Planar 3: Is the Exact a significant upgrade from the Elys 2?


I understand that not everyone loves belt drive turntables or Regas but I have an opportunity to buy a new Planar 3 with the Elys 2 for a really good price or a new Planar 3 with the Exact 2 for a few hundred more.

Is the Exact such a significant upgrade over the Elys that it’s worth paying $300 more for a table with it? Or would it be smarter to get the cheaper one with the Elys 2 and choose another upgrade path for the cartridge in the future? 
pip_helix

As you can see-yes, no, maybe.

Asking about Rega and certain other popular brands that have stood the test of time always gets the same results.

Buy it-if your budget permits. I'd go new w/Exact. That's just me.

The differences in subjective opinion on what's 'better" can leave you MORE confused in these audio forums. Hopefully, you have found a dealer that's trustworthy and knowledgeabe.

I have had the P3 with the Elys 2 for a while now and I had a few upgrade ideas but not the cartridge. It’s definitely better than the Ortofon Blue I had with my previous TT

Hi Grislybutter,

What kind of tt did you have before?
I think  about purchase a P2 with the Elys 2…

 

I lived with the P3 w/ Elys 2 for 5 years and thought vinyl was a cool hobby. It wasn’t until I upgraded to the Exact that I understood why analog playback is so beloved. It’s significantly better, I wish I would have purchased it originally.