Battle of the vinyl titans: rega planar 2 vs 1 plus, which reigns supreme?
What To Know
- The Planar 2 delivers an exceptional sound quality, with a wide and spacious soundstage, excellent detail retrieval, and a tight and controlled bass response.
- However, if you’re on a tighter budget or just starting out with vinyl, the Planar 1 Plus is a great value that will still deliver a satisfying listening experience.
- The Planar 2 sets the benchmark for sound quality, while the Planar 1 Plus provides an excellent value for those on a budget.
In the realm of audiophile turntables, two names stand tall: Rega Planar 2 and Rega Planar 1 Plus. Both models have earned a reputation for delivering exceptional sound quality and craftsmanship, but which one truly deserves the crown? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into a head-to-head comparison of the Rega Planar 2 vs 1 Plus, exploring their key features, performance, and value to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Build
Rega Planar 2: The Planar 2 boasts a sleek and minimalist design, with a matte black plinth and a smoked acrylic dust cover. Its sturdy construction features a lightweight and resonant-free chassis, ensuring optimal vibration damping and isolation.
Rega Planar 1 Plus: The Planar 1 Plus shares a similar design aesthetic, but with a glossy black plinth and a clear acrylic dust cover. Its plinth is made from a high-quality thermoset, providing excellent structural integrity and damping properties.
Motor and Drive
Rega Planar 2: The Planar 2 is equipped with Rega’s highly regarded 24V synchronous motor, which provides precise and stable speed control. It also features a low-noise belt drive system that minimizes vibrations and ensures smooth and accurate platter rotation.
Rega Planar 1 Plus: The Planar 1 Plus utilizes a simpler 12V AC motor, which is still capable of delivering consistent speed stability. However, its belt drive system is a bit more basic and may introduce slightly more noise than the Planar 2’s.
Tonearm
Rega Planar 2: The Planar 2 comes with Rega’s RB220 tonearm, which features a lightweight and rigid design. It incorporates a precision-engineered bearing system and an adjustable counterweight for optimal cartridge alignment and tracking.
Rega Planar 1 Plus: The Planar 1 Plus is equipped with the RB110 tonearm, which is a more basic version of the RB220. It still provides good performance, but it lacks the rigidity and adjustability of the RB220.
Cartridge
Rega Planar 2: The Planar 2 includes Rega’s Carbon moving magnet cartridge, which offers a balanced and detailed sound with a neutral frequency response. It is a versatile cartridge that can accommodate a wide range of vinyl records.
Rega Planar 1 Plus: The Planar 1 Plus does not come with a cartridge, so you will need to purchase one separately. Rega recommends pairing it with the Rega Fono MM cartridge, which is a high-quality and affordable option.
Sound Quality
Rega Planar 2: The Planar 2 delivers an exceptional sound quality, with a wide and spacious soundstage, excellent detail retrieval, and a tight and controlled bass response. Its neutral and natural tonality makes it suitable for a wide range of music genres.
Rega Planar 1 Plus: The Planar 1 Plus also offers a very good sound quality, with a clear and well-defined presentation. However, it may exhibit slightly less detail and soundstage width compared to the Planar 2, and its bass response may be less impactful.
Price and Value
Rega Planar 2: The Rega Planar 2 has a retail price of around $799. It offers excellent value for money, considering its high-quality construction, advanced features, and exceptional sound quality.
Rega Planar 1 Plus: The Rega Planar 1 Plus has a retail price of around $499. It provides a good entry point into the world of Rega turntables, offering a solid performance and a great value for its price point.
Which One to Choose?
The choice between the Rega Planar 2 and 1 Plus ultimately depends on your budget and performance requirements. If you’re looking for the best possible sound quality, the Planar 2 is the clear winner. However, if you’re on a tighter budget or just starting out with vinyl, the Planar 1 Plus is a great value that will still deliver a satisfying listening experience.
The Bottom Line: The Ultimate Vinyl Experience
Both the Rega Planar 2 and 1 Plus are exceptional turntables that offer a superb listening experience. The Planar 2 sets the benchmark for sound quality, while the Planar 1 Plus provides an excellent value for those on a budget. Whichever model you choose, you can be sure that you’re getting a turntable that will deliver years of musical enjoyment.
What People Want to Know
1. What is the difference between the Rega Planar 2 and 1 Plus?
The main differences between the Rega Planar 2 and 1 Plus are the motor, tonearm, and cartridge. The Planar 2 has a more advanced motor, tonearm, and cartridge, which result in better sound quality.
2. Which turntable is better for beginners?
The Rega Planar 1 Plus is a better choice for beginners because it is more affordable and easier to set up. It also comes with a built-in phono preamp, which makes it easy to connect to your audio system.
3. Which turntable is better for audiophiles?
The Rega Planar 2 is a better choice for audiophiles because it offers better sound quality. It has a more advanced motor, tonearm, and cartridge, which result in a wider soundstage, better detail retrieval, and a more accurate bass response.