People always attack Rega for not having adjustable VTA, adjustable azimuth, the felt mat, the plastic subplatter, the fixed feet, etc. The thing is though that the people at Rega are engineers. They understand measurements, tradeoffs, and putting their engineering effort where it matters most. So they will have run the numbers and determined that putting engineering effort into constructing a very rigid tone arm is of more benefit than adjustable VTA, for example. I'll echo the advice to not use a clamp. Some people go down the rabbit hole of modding their Rega, but the deck is actually a system designed for all of it's components to work in concert. So the felt (wool, actually) mat grips the record and keeps it from slipping on the platter, for example. Remove that and you need a clamp, which puts more pressure on the bearing, etc etc etc. I'm a firm believer in using things as they're designed to be used, that's how you get the best result, and a Rega out-of-the-box is designed to be used as-is. The single biggest improvement you can make to a turntable is to get it level. Get a small spirit level, some shims or washers to put under the feet, and get it as close to absolutely level as you can. That way the main bearing doesn't exert side-to-side pressure as it rotates, and likewise the tonearm bearings only exert pressure in the direction they're designed for.
@@sidsreviews1110 Yes I enjoyed your review too, and looking to get one of these next month, here in the UK they sell for a reasonable £299 what that is in dollars I don't know, but I was interested to see your P1 had a blue cartridge fitted, is that standard in Canada ? as here in the UK we have the Rega Carbon which has a grey appearance ! So, I am wondering if your review was based on the blue stylus or the Carbon stylus ? Thanks.
Hi Colin. Yes it did come with the carbon cartridge and it’s really good. I used it for about 6 months then wanted to try another cartridge from Rega. The Elys is what I bought and that’s in the video. It brought the sound up a notch but the carbon is no slouch.
Vinyl takes up a ton of room, you have to deal with static and dirt, it requires you to get up at least once per album to flip, the equipment is delicate, and is generally a pain in the neck... totally worth it! Great review, and a gorgeous turntable. I ended up going with a Fluance RT85 but was seriously considering the Planar 1 as well.
great review - i got the same turntable and i’m very satiesfied with it …. agreed it deserves a better cable than the pre-installed one… never had any problems with it though…. ( i use it with a pair of eltax monitor iii bt speakers…. very nice set-up with the build in pre-amp, and you still have the possibility to stream) 🙂
I have the limited edition Queen rega p1 released to play the Queen studio lp box set I also own the Rega Planer 3 from the eighties still working as good to day as when I first go it all those years ago
I bought a white P1 Plus on sale in 2020, the built in phono preamp is amazing, it is astoundingly good for the price! I upgraded the belt and switched to a leather platter mat, well worth the price!
Hi Earl, how much did you spend to get this at on sale price? And how much cost you to upgrade the belt and leather platter mat? I am very keen to choose this p1 plus model thanks
@@jackr9976 I bought it from Audio Advisor for $475, the belt was ~$50, the red leather mat $20 or so. I also have the LP Gear upgraded 3600 series elliptical stylus for $45. Really an incredible TT! This is my favorite TT, simple, easy to use and sounds amazing!
@@earlyetman5588 Thanks very much for the very helpful info. I am new to Vinyl, used to play CD and Streaming for long time, so looking for good sound quality entry level TT
@@earlyetman5588 sweet! I will buy that album when my first new TT arrive, have placed an order of Rega P1 plus, should receive this or next week, just can’t wait to listen to her voice thanks
I compared my Planar 1 to a digital recording and it was surprisingly close. The Rega had slightly less highs and wasn't as airy as the digital recording but this was with the stock Carbon cartridge. I've bought an elliptical stylus for the Carbon to hopefully bring out the highs more.
A lot depends on your stylus and pre amp which together act in the same was as your DAC. The quality of the vinyl pressing can also make a huge difference, but then was the original mastering/pressing actually inferior compared to the digital version you are using as a comparison? A standard P1 cheapo stylus and poor pre amp (those integrated on most cheap amps will never challenge a decent digital hi res album, unfair challenge. A decent deck (turntable) on a good solid base with a decent platter tone arm and stylus good pre amp doesnt need to be one of those silly expensive pre amps something like the IfI Zen or Smiit is perfectly adequate will only be as good as a DVD-A or Hi Res digital. I say only cos thats way better than what we used as kids. DO people really want their vinyl to sound like CDs? The vinyl record should not does not sound like digital, there is usually a lot more headroom on a vinyl unless it was ripped and lossless or a more recent Hi Res remaster
I'll admit that I mostly listen to Spotify for convenience, that being said I suggest you go back and listen to anything horn heavy like classic soul music or jazz, orchestral strings etc., or even heavy on the guitar type rock music and the vinyl will come out ahead every time in terms of sound quality. I prefer to own all my favorite albums on vinyl but most of the time I am still on Spotify though and for most modern music it sounds great with the right system.
@@audiofella5066 Yip I also only buy my vinyl to play, listen to and appreciate not to collect, there is only so much room on my shelves. I use a Motu M4 Audio Interface between the phono stage and preamp, I also use it as my main DAC. For digital I run JRiver Media Centre or for vinyl through a DAW and can add any DSP I want, usually Fabfilter Saturn 2 for some warms (tube and tape emulation) and a little EQ where and when needed and maybe a little MAG CrystalClean or any other effects I so choose. You could say its a like remastering cos not all media is mastered as I would like
@@uselessoldman7964 Nice, Man I'll have to check out that tape emulation, I love the sound of tape but it is so unreliable both my tape machines are busted, I used to record from vinyl or digital out to my Tascam high bias tape machine and make mixtapes just for the sound of the tape. I've also got a Revox A77 Reel to Reel but it's busted right now too LOL.
your RP1 had an upgraded cartridge over the base Carbon cartridge ( AT3600 .. much cheaper than the rega badged carbon) you look to have the far more expensive rega Elys 2 fitted to yours, maybe that's the US spec. ?
Yes I do. It's a Rega Elys 2 that I put on because I wanted to remain with Rega. Their cartridges are made to be easily installed on their turntables. I literally just took off the Carbon and hooked up the Elys 2. It works perfect and you dob't need to fiddle with weight or anything.
@@sidsreviews1110 thanks for the answer i always thought that other cartridges weight more or less than Carbon, im planting to upgrade my Rega planar 1 in the future but i wasnt sure if it was possible ;)
@@sidsreviews1110 Otherwise, this turntable is specifically optimized to use the cartridge that comes with it. the other Rega planar players allow you to have several different cartridges
@@Alan_Mac Another reviewer should first remove the vinyl record then remove the plate then change the speed. then put the plate on, then put the vinyl record back on. cumbersome if you have nothing near the turntable to put plate and record on
watch this video from 8 minutes and 20 seconds for him He is significantly longer than two seconds. when he has to change the vinyl record from 33 rpm to a 45 rpm record th-cam.com/video/Gl4fKxpK9Hc/w-d-xo.html
Why would anyone buy the P1 when they can pick up a older 2000 plus P3 for about the same money a turntable valued at 3 times the price new? First upgrade the glass platter off a P2 10mm, costs £121 new or from the P3 12mm costing £175 the P6 costs whopping £265 for 16mm but thats a £1100 turntable. That tone arm must be next, almost any other must be better. The Rega RB300 tone arm (P3) second hand can be bought for about £150. Then there is those phono cables/connectors, why use cheap ones when its only a few quid extra for decent ones? SO you can see why a second hand P3 is such a great deal an absolute bargain and best of all, you probably wont spend a single penny more than a new P1, if your lucky and know ur stuff
@@sidsreviews1110ohh right. well that's answered my posted question re the different cartridge from standard.. thought MSI have been a US spec.. several cartridge options that fit straight on with little adjustment (no shims etc) ortofon red /blue AT VM95E etc
@@sidsreviews1110 The weight won't hurt anything, put it on after the rig is running. They are very helpful if you have a slightly warped record. A warped record can have poor platter/mat contact and can slip while played causing some funky sounds. Also, try a REGA premium drive belt, I think it made a rather large difference, should be noticeable with the Elys 2 cartridge. That said, I love my P1 Plus, absolutely incredible for the price...Jamming some Eagles while writing this!
@@sidsreviews1110 The lead coming from the table is too short to move powered speakers to stands, you would have to connect adaptor cables which defeats the purpose of the supposed built in unit.
People always attack Rega for not having adjustable VTA, adjustable azimuth, the felt mat, the plastic subplatter, the fixed feet, etc.
The thing is though that the people at Rega are engineers. They understand measurements, tradeoffs, and putting their engineering effort where it matters most.
So they will have run the numbers and determined that putting engineering effort into constructing a very rigid tone arm is of more benefit than adjustable VTA, for example.
I'll echo the advice to not use a clamp. Some people go down the rabbit hole of modding their Rega, but the deck is actually a system designed for all of it's components to work in concert. So the felt (wool, actually) mat grips the record and keeps it from slipping on the platter, for example. Remove that and you need a clamp, which puts more pressure on the bearing, etc etc etc. I'm a firm believer in using things as they're designed to be used, that's how you get the best result, and a Rega out-of-the-box is designed to be used as-is.
The single biggest improvement you can make to a turntable is to get it level. Get a small spirit level, some shims or washers to put under the feet, and get it as close to absolutely level as you can. That way the main bearing doesn't exert side-to-side pressure as it rotates, and likewise the tonearm bearings only exert pressure in the direction they're designed for.
I totally agree. Rega has been in business for many years and they know how to make great products.
Sensational review mate, you have sold me on this after much deliberation
Hope you enjoy the product! Thanks for the kind words. Let me know your thoughts after you use it.
@@sidsreviews1110 Yes I enjoyed your review too, and looking to get one of these next month, here in the UK they sell for a reasonable £299 what that is in dollars I don't know, but I was interested to see your P1 had a blue cartridge fitted, is that standard in Canada ? as here in the UK we have the Rega Carbon which has a grey appearance ! So, I am wondering if your review was based on the blue stylus or the Carbon stylus ? Thanks.
Hi Colin. Yes it did come with the carbon cartridge and it’s really good. I used it for about 6 months then wanted to try another cartridge from Rega. The Elys is what I bought and that’s in the video. It brought the sound up a notch but the carbon is no slouch.
Vinyl takes up a ton of room, you have to deal with static and dirt, it requires you to get up at least once per album to flip, the equipment is delicate, and is generally a pain in the neck... totally worth it!
Great review, and a gorgeous turntable. I ended up going with a Fluance RT85 but was seriously considering the Planar 1 as well.
Thanks for the comment. Yes the Fluance is an excellent choice as well!
This guy speaks like a real professional.
I think they have a turntable called Rega planar 1 plus. it should have a built-in phono preamp
thanks Sid good to hear your thoughts and think i'm going with the P1 also :D
Good choice. Hope you enjoy it!
@@sidsreviews1110 thank you sir should arrive next week!!
@@thetimebombardier awesome. Let me know your thoughts on it after you play it for a while.
great review - i got the same turntable and i’m very satiesfied with it …. agreed it deserves a better cable than the pre-installed one… never had any problems with it though…. ( i use it with a pair of eltax monitor iii bt speakers…. very nice set-up with the build in pre-amp, and you still have the possibility to stream) 🙂
Very nice. Glad you enjoy!
Very cool review :) keep up the good work. Greetings from Germany :)
Hi Lisa. Thanks for the kind comment.Germany is one of my favorite countries to visit!
You can buy a Rega Planar 1 'Plus' if you want a phono stage built-in !
Yeah it's everything about playing a record that's appealing and all the way through to changing records . it's therapeutic or something, 😆 love it.
I did the same sound test with Rumors by Fleetwood Mac
I have the limited edition Queen rega p1 released to play the Queen studio lp box set I also own the Rega Planer 3 from the eighties still working as good to day as when I first go it all those years ago
That's awesome. Love the Queen version.
Great review man!
Thanks Sam Appreciate the comment!
I bought a white P1 Plus on sale in 2020, the built in phono preamp is amazing, it is astoundingly good for the price! I upgraded the belt and switched to a leather platter mat, well worth the price!
Hi Earl, how much did you spend to get this at on sale price? And how much cost you to upgrade the belt and leather platter mat? I am very keen to choose this p1 plus model thanks
@@jackr9976 I bought it from Audio Advisor for $475, the belt was ~$50, the red leather mat $20 or so. I also have the LP Gear upgraded 3600 series elliptical stylus for $45. Really an incredible TT! This is my favorite TT, simple, easy to use and sounds amazing!
@@earlyetman5588 Thanks very much for the very helpful info. I am new to Vinyl, used to play CD and Streaming for long time, so looking for good sound quality entry level TT
@@jackr9976 When you get your new Rega buy and listen to Albert King/ Stevie Ray Vaughan live...BTW, my speakers are Klipsch The Sixes.
@@earlyetman5588 sweet! I will buy that album when my first new TT arrive, have placed an order of Rega P1 plus, should receive this or next week, just can’t wait to listen to her voice thanks
I compared my Planar 1 to a digital recording and it was surprisingly close. The Rega had slightly less highs and wasn't as airy as the digital recording but this was with the stock Carbon cartridge. I've bought an elliptical stylus for the Carbon to hopefully bring out the highs more.
A lot depends on your stylus and pre amp which together act in the same was as your DAC. The quality of the vinyl pressing can also make a huge difference, but then was the original mastering/pressing actually inferior compared to the digital version you are using as a comparison? A standard P1 cheapo stylus and poor pre amp (those integrated on most cheap amps will never challenge a decent digital hi res album, unfair challenge. A decent deck (turntable) on a good solid base with a decent platter tone arm and stylus good pre amp doesnt need to be one of those silly expensive pre amps something like the IfI Zen or Smiit is perfectly adequate will only be as good as a DVD-A or Hi Res digital. I say only cos thats way better than what we used as kids. DO people really want their vinyl to sound like CDs? The vinyl record should not does not sound like digital, there is usually a lot more headroom on a vinyl unless it was ripped and lossless or a more recent Hi Res remaster
I'll admit that I mostly listen to Spotify for convenience, that being said I suggest you go back and listen to anything horn heavy like classic soul music or jazz, orchestral strings etc., or even heavy on the guitar type rock music and the vinyl will come out ahead every time in terms of sound quality. I prefer to own all my favorite albums on vinyl but most of the time I am still on Spotify though and for most modern music it sounds great with the right system.
@@audiofella5066 Yip I also only buy my vinyl to play, listen to and appreciate not to collect, there is only so much room on my shelves. I use a Motu M4 Audio Interface between the phono stage and preamp, I also use it as my main DAC. For digital I run JRiver Media Centre or for vinyl through a DAW and can add any DSP I want, usually Fabfilter Saturn 2 for some warms (tube and tape emulation) and a little EQ where and when needed and maybe a little MAG CrystalClean or any other effects I so choose. You could say its a like remastering cos not all media is mastered as I would like
@@uselessoldman7964 Nice, Man I'll have to check out that tape emulation, I love the sound of tape but it is so unreliable both my tape machines are busted, I used to record from vinyl or digital out to my Tascam high bias tape machine and make mixtapes just for the sound of the tape. I've also got a Revox A77 Reel to Reel but it's busted right now too LOL.
your RP1 had an upgraded cartridge over the base Carbon cartridge ( AT3600 .. much cheaper than the rega badged carbon) you look to have the far more expensive rega Elys 2 fitted to yours, maybe that's the US spec. ?
The Pro-ject T1 one is cheaper and works with a glass platter, ortofon stylus and high end cables.
fluance rt85 costs about 500 dollars and the interesting thing is that it has an orthophon blue cartridge
and an acrylic platter
This proves that even with the Carbon, the P1 is a better sounding turntable
th-cam.com/video/U_spemm1rdc/w-d-xo.html
I see that you have other cartridge than Rega Carbon, was it hard to change it and set up proper weight?
Yes I do. It's a Rega Elys 2 that I put on because I wanted to remain with Rega. Their cartridges are made to be easily installed on their turntables. I literally just took off the Carbon and hooked up the Elys 2. It works perfect and you dob't need to fiddle with weight or anything.
@@sidsreviews1110 thanks for the answer i always thought that other cartridges weight more or less than Carbon, im planting to upgrade my Rega planar 1 in the future but i wasnt sure if it was possible ;)
@@sidsreviews1110 Otherwise, this turntable is specifically optimized to use the cartridge that comes with it. the other Rega planar players allow you to have several different cartridges
@@Andersljungberg You can change the cartridge on this player as well . I did with no issues.
There are criticisms that it does not have adjustable feet and that it can be a bit cumbersome to change the speed
You saw him changing the speed in the vid - it takes 2 seconds.
@@Alan_Mac Another reviewer should first remove the vinyl record then remove the plate then change the speed. then put the plate on, then put the vinyl record back on. cumbersome if you have nothing near the turntable to put plate and record on
watch this video from 8 minutes and 20 seconds for him He is significantly longer than two seconds. when he has to change the vinyl record from 33 rpm to a 45 rpm record
th-cam.com/video/Gl4fKxpK9Hc/w-d-xo.html
@@Alan_Mac on Rega 3, however, you can change the speed without lifting the plate with an accessory called TT-PSU
Good review
Thanks Varia.
Have the p 1 but the grounding is an issue noise is bad, they need to ground the arm better
I've had that issue before as well but it was amp dependent.
The Planar 2 is worth the extra $$.
Agreed!
Nice video....please, do not use clamps or central weights on Rega Tables....they are not designed to use this device...it colapses the soundstage
Oh ok I didn’t know that. Thanks for letting me know.
Why would anyone buy the P1 when they can pick up a older 2000 plus P3 for about the same money a turntable valued at 3 times the price new? First upgrade the glass platter off a P2 10mm, costs £121 new or from the P3 12mm costing £175 the P6 costs whopping £265 for 16mm but thats a £1100 turntable. That tone arm must be next, almost any other must be better. The Rega RB300 tone arm (P3) second hand can be bought for about £150. Then there is those phono cables/connectors, why use cheap ones when its only a few quid extra for decent ones? SO you can see why a second hand P3 is such a great deal an absolute bargain and best of all, you probably wont spend a single penny more than a new P1, if your lucky and know ur stuff
Hi, have you done some modification to the arm to fit another stylus than the carbon ?
No I didn't. I just put the Elys 2 cartridge on and it sounded right. I figured if it's a Rega MM cartridge it shouldn't need any modifications.
@@sidsreviews1110ohh right. well that's answered my posted question re the different cartridge from standard.. thought MSI have been a US spec.. several cartridge options that fit straight on with little adjustment (no shims etc) ortofon red /blue AT VM95E etc
But you changed the cartridge, right?
Yes I changed it to the Elys 2
At the heart of every system is an amp…
Agreed
Which amp? /Speakers??
I use the Iotavx amp and Triangle BR03 speakers
6:08... What's that on top of the record?
A weight. I since don’t use it anymore.
@@sidsreviews1110 The weight won't hurt anything, put it on after the rig is running. They are very helpful if you have a slightly warped record. A warped record can have poor platter/mat contact and can slip while played causing some funky sounds. Also, try a REGA premium drive belt, I think it made a rather large difference, should be noticeable with the Elys 2 cartridge. That said, I love my P1 Plus, absolutely incredible for the price...Jamming some Eagles while writing this!
Can you use the same stylus for both the 78 and 33s
Yes
Thank you 🙏🏽🙏🏽
78rpm records are supposed to have a wider groove, not the microgroove of the 33-1/3 records. This is why cartridges are sold specifically for 78s.
Not unless you want to destroy your records.
It doesen't not play 78 rpm
Its a shame they have a built in RCA cables, wanting separate speakers on stands away from the turntable is going to be a problem,.
It shouldn't be an issue to get the turntable away from the speakers. Are you talking about hooking the turntable up directly to powered speaks?
@@sidsreviews1110 The lead coming from the table is too short to move powered speakers to stands, you would have to connect adaptor cables which defeats the purpose of the supposed built in unit.
@@gloomyvale3671 the rca cables only have to reach a preamp,you can use longer rca cables from the preamp to the speakers
Honestly, that Rega 1 was my worse buy so far.
Thanks for listening.
Never again one rega
Ok... what turntable do you own?
@@sidsreviews1110 an old P2, cheap, sensible to noise, no damping, wow and flutter. I bought an auto Sony TT plus Shure V15III...
???Why not ??
Wow ! It's not made in China ? I hope the components are not made in China too .
China made parts are inevitable on most products.
Entirely made in England.