Проигрыватели виниловых дисков — Rega PLANAR 1

The Planar 1 is the plug and play entry point to the Rega turntable range, built so that an owner can have it running in under 30 seconds. It arrives with the RB110 tonearm and a Rega Carbon moving magnet cartridge already fitted, and a walnut effect limited edition joined the matt black and matt white versions in September 2022.

Key specs that matter

This is a belt-drive deck for 33 and 45 rpm records, turned by a 24 V low noise synchronous AC motor. The platter is 23 mm thick phenolic resin, and the balance weight on the arm is 111 g. With the lid closed the turntable has a 447 x 117 x 360 mm footprint and height, with a weight of 4.2 kg. The Carbon cartridge is a moving magnet type, so the deck connects to any phono stage or amplifier phono input that accepts moving magnet cartridges. Any manufacturing defect is covered for the lifetime of the deck under the limited warranty Rega gives on all its products.

Engineering and use context

Rega states that the Planar 1 is the first entry-level turntable in its range to use this motor specification, which brings a new motor PCB and an aluminium pulley. The phenolic resin platter provides a flywheel effect intended to improve speed stability, and the EBLT drive belt is specified for greater accuracy and improved speed performance. A brass main bearing sits in the central bearing housing, designed for an improved fit while minimising the transfer of potential energy. The foot assembly was revised to increase stability and reduce the vibration passed to the surface underneath, and a motor cover tray includes integrated cooling. The plinth is made of a high-rigidity laminate, and the on/off switch is placed ergonomically. The walnut effect edition uses exactly the same laminate as the standard black and white versions and is supplied with a smoked dustcover instead of the clear one.

Pairing

The hand-built RB110 runs on patented Rega-designed bearings of ultra-low friction, and its bias is set automatically, so there is no bias adjustment for the owner to make. An ergonomically shaped headshell and an integrated arm clip complete the arm. Since the cartridge is fitted and the balance weight is supplied to suit it, the deck can be used as soon as it is wired to an amplifier's phono socket or to an outboard phono preamplifier.

Alternatives

One step up in the Rega range, the Planar 2 is a separate model fitted with the RB220 tonearm.