REGA PLANAR 3 : The Turnatble That Made History
Today, we're talking about the Rega Planar 3—aka the turntable that's been around longer than most of us have been legally allowed to drink. It's a legend. But is it still worth your hard-earned money in 2025? Let's find out.
Welcome to The Apartment Audiophile, where big sound meets small spaces. If you love vinyl, hi-fi gear, and honest reviews without the BS—all from a cozy city apartment—you're in the right place.
Design and Build: Stupidly Good-Looking
First off, the Planar 3 is stupidly good-looking. It's clean, minimalist, and sharp enough to make a MacBook Pro jealous. The plinth is high-gloss acrylic laminate, available in black, white, or red. The glass platter looks killer too—thick, heavy, and crystal clear. It makes you feel like you're handling serious gear.
Until you realize Rega doesn't believe in little things like convenient motor switches.
Nope.
Want to change from 33 to 45 RPM? You've gotta lift the platter and move the belt manually. Because apparently, we're training for the Olympic vinyl games here. Come on, Rega—even the basic Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO2 now has a switch under the table to change speeds.
Features: Stripped-Down Performance
The Planar 3 keeps it real simple. No automatic start or stop. No cueing automation. No built-in phono stage. No USB output. No Wi-Fi. No Bluetooth. If you want those things, you're shopping in the wrong aisle.
This deck is 100% focused on performance.
Tonearm & Cartridge
It comes standard with the RB330 tonearm—probably one of the best arms you'll find on a turntable under two grand. And it's now often bundled with Rega's new ND3 or ND5 moving magnet cartridge. I chose mine with the new ND5 cartridge.
Both ND3 and ND5 have aluminum cantilevers and track at 1.75 grams, with outputs in the 5–6 mV range that suit MM phono stages with a typical 47 kOhm input impedance.
But the ND5 has an all-diamond stylus with a true ellipse profile.
So the ND5 steps things up with a higher-end stylus profile and tighter tolerances. Translation? You get a sharper, more detailed soundstage. The ND5 tracks better and digs a little more info out of the grooves—especially on complex records.
The ND3 is great for the money—don't get me wrong. But if you're already spending Planar 3 money? Go for the ND5. It's a no-brainer. It's like paying a little extra for guac—it just makes everything better, especially if you plan to keep the deck for years.
Speaking of keeping the deck for years, Rega offers a lifetime limited warranty. You can check the fine print on their website.
Sound Quality: Ridiculously Alive
Alright, let's talk sound. In one word? Alive.
The Planar 3 is ridiculously lively. There's this incredible sense of pace, rhythm, and timing. Your music doesn't just play—it moves.
Bass is tight and tuneful—not trying to punch holes in your drywall, but it's there when you need it. If you need more bass, just get a sub.
Mids are gorgeous. Vocals just float out into the room. And the top end? Crisp, detailed, never edgy.
It's the kind of sound that makes you say "one more record" at 1 AM, even though you have to be a functioning adult in five hours.
Album Recommendation
Quick album recommendation: the latest Dominique Fils-Aimé album, Our Roots Run Deep. If you like vocals, this album will blow your mind—just like her first album Nameless, which is very often mentioned in the hi-fi world as a reference to test vocals, timing, rhythm, and fine details. The song "Birds" is just magnificent.
Who This Is For
So, who's the Planar 3 for?
It's for people who actually want to listen to their records on a weekly basis—not just display them next to a $400 fake plant.
If you're into hands-on, analog experiences and manually dropping the needle yourself, this deck is for you.
However: If you have a ton of 45 RPM records and you're going to change the belt drive every now and then, get the RP6 or buy the PSU MK2 separately.
System Pairing: No Weak Links Allowed
Quick heads up: the Planar 3 is unforgiving. Meaning, if the rest of your system sucks, you'll hear it.
Pair it with a decent phono stage, a clean integrated amp, and good speakers, and you'll get that "magical" moment audiophiles love to cry about in Reddit threads.
I pair mine with the KEF LS50 Meta and an Arcam A15 integrated amplifier. This is a really satisfying combo, but if you want to push your experience a bit further, I recommend picking up the Rega Fono MK5 phono preamp. It's just a perfect match.
The 33/45 Problem: My Honest Take
What about that 33/45 problem? Of course, you can spend a little more and get an RP6, which already comes with the Rega PSU MK2. But it's almost $1,000 more. The PSU alone is around $500. It all depends on your needs and your wallet.
At first, I thought I wouldn't be bothered by changing the belt, because my older Pro-Ject Evo first generation was the same as the RP3: you have to lift the platter to change the belt position. But the Pro-Ject platter was acrylic and felt less fragile than the glass platter of the Rega. So each time I'm lifting that platter and putting it aside, I'm always a bit anxious.
So yeah, I got the PSU MK2, which is now a no-brainer. Also, my non-audiophile girlfriend enjoys listening to vinyl, and it's just easier for her to push a button to switch the speed.
In all honesty, if I had known, I would have just bought the RP6. Oh well—sometimes we change our minds.
If changing the belt doesn't bother you, just get the RP3 and you'll be a happy camper.
The Verdict
Bottom line? The Rega Planar 3 is still an absolute monster at its price point. It's simple, elegant, and fun. No frills, no gimmicks.
Is it perfect? No. Changing speeds manually is annoying. And if you want deep, slam-you-in-the-chest bass, you might wish it had a little more grunt.
But for pure musicality at this price? It's super good.
The Rega Planar 3 remains a benchmark turntable that prioritizes what matters most: making your records sound incredible. If you're serious about vinyl and ready to invest in a deck that will serve you for years, this is still one of the best choices you can make.
