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Rega Planar 3
Replacing the multi award winning What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year (RP3) was never going to be an easy task. It took our team of designers headed up by Rega’s Roy Gandy, two years to develop the all new ‘Planar 3’ following the biggest re-design of the iconic ‘Three’ model ever seen. The ‘Planar 3’ is a completely new turntable carrying over just two components from the previous RP model.
NEW for 2025 - Planar 3 RS Edition - find out more here
The iconic Planar 3
Rega has pioneered the use of lightweight rigid plinths. Clever use of lightweight particulate core with a highly rigid phenolic resin skin became the foundations of the high level of performance achieved by the now iconic original Planar range.
The new Planar 3 takes this design philosophy to the next level. A lightweight acrylic laminated plinth strengthened using a new improved double brace system mounted specifically where the increased rigidity is required (between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing) which forms a structurally sound “stressed beam” assembly. This rigid plinth design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonance, which will add unnatural distortions to the music. Equally, heavier mass can transfer more unwanted energy, such as motor or bearing noise directly into the rotating record. The use of braces instead of the complete skin allows double thickness phenolic resin in these key areas while providing further weight reduction to the plinth which directly addresses the issue of mass absorption and unwanted energy transmission.
Key Features
- What Hi-Fi? Product of the year 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021. 2024
- RB330 precision tonearm
- Rega Nd3 MM cartridge factory fitted (optional)
- Rega Nd5 MM cartridge factory fitted (optional)
- Double brace technology
- 24 V low noise, low vibration motor
- 12 mm float glass opti-white polished platter
- Supplied with clear dust cover as standard.
- Compatible with Rega Neo turntable power supply (sold separately)
- Three high gloss plinth options and light oak effect (New for 2024)
- Advanced EBLT drive belt fitted as standard from March 2021
- Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects
- High-Gloss White
- High-Gloss Black
- High-Gloss Red
- Light Oak Effect
Available in gloss white, gloss black, gloss red and light oak effect.
RB330
The RB330 tonearm was designed using the latest 3D CAD & CAM technology, and is the culmination of more than 35 years of tonearm design experience. Featuring a brand new bearing housing, and our latest tonearm tube designed using intelligent redistribution of mass ensure this arm will exhibit fewer points of possible resonance. Extreme stability with almost friction free movement from the new high precision bearing assemblies guarantees to gather more information from your vinyl than ever before.
Plinth
High gloss acrylic, laminated plinth, stiffer and vastly improved appearance, ergonomically positioned power switch. Available in three stunning high gloss finishes, black, white and red and new for 2024 Light oak effect.
Double brace Technology
Improved thicker 3 mm phenolic bottom brace and new metalised skin phenolic top brace.
Bearing housing
Re-designed brass main hub central bearing, improved fit and construction reducing stress on the bearing itself.
ISOLATION
New improved foot to increase stability and reduce vibration transfer.
24 V MOTOR
Improved new motor control PCB with integration for the addition of Neo PSU for electronic speed change and improved advanced anti-vibration circuit (sold separately).
New motor cover tray with integrated cooling.
DUST COVER
Supplied as standard / optional lid - plinth protectors - supplied to prevent marks on the plinth and keep it looking its best.
SIMPLE SET-UP
Easy to use multi-lingual quick start guide for easy set up
Sub platter
Re-designed sub platter, improved accuracy and improved stiffness.
Platter
New float glass ‘Optiwhite’ polished edge 12 mm – Improved accuracy in manufacture and stunning looks.
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Professional Reviews 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Usability
82/100
Value for Money
94/100
The Planar 3 delivers a silky, neutral vinyl presentation with airy treble, textured instruments and a wide, dimensional soundstage. Its hand-assembled RB330 arm, quiet low-vibration platform and upgrade-ready motor design give records impressive poise and insight. Future Audiophile found it revealing yet deeply musical, while Gramophone highlights its exceptionally stable, near-frictionless arm.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Smooth, tonally neutral sound with extended treble, textured guitars, deep bass and a spacious three-dimensional soundstage.
Exceptionally quiet, stable platform reveals subtle low-level detail and keeps complex midrange passages clearly separated.
RB330 tonearm is praised for its balance, precision bearings and near-frictionless operation.
Strong value for serious vinyl playback, with cartridge options and an optional Neo PSU upgrade path.
&
Cons
Achieving its best performance benefits from a careful precision setup; the anti-skate can be touchy.
Manual belt speed changes remain necessary without the optional Neo PSU, and the captive RCA cables cannot be replaced.
Some recordings can carry a slight excess of upper-bass warmth.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
The Planar 3 is repeatedly described as a highly musical, composed and revealing source, combining neutral tonality with a smooth presentation. Its quiet running, stable platform and accomplished RB330 arm help it uncover fine detail, preserve image focus and keep music engaging across a wide range of recordings.
Overall Sound
93/100
Future Audiophile found the Planar 3 dead neutral yet notably smooth and silk-like, with extended, airy treble, textured guitars, deep bass and drums with convincing snap. The review also praised its wide, three-dimensional soundstage and its ability to keep complex vocal midrange passages separate rather than muddled. There is a small suggestion of extra warmth in the upper bass.
Speed Stability
89/100
The 24V motor and revised control board are designed for low-noise, controlled operation, while the optional Neo PSU adds electronic speed selection and a cleaner power signal. Reviewers present this as a meaningful route to further improving speed precision, although neither review supplies measured wow-and-flutter results or a direct listening assessment of pitch constancy.
Tonearm Performance
93/100
The hand-assembled RB330 is a major strength. Gramophone describes its redesigned bearing housing as near-frictionless and calls the arm excellent, highlighting its balance across the arm's length and light, delicate feel. Future Audiophile likewise points to its precision bearings and fine adjustment capability.
Noise Isolation
94/100
Future Audiophile calls the Planar 3 stone-quiet, saying the low noise floor revealed subtle details in quiet playing. Both reviews also credit the rigid plinth, redesigned feet and glass platter with reducing vibration transmission and improving stability.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
The Planar 3 uses a stiff, lightweight braced plinth intended to limit vibration transfer rather than relying on mass alone. Reviewers note the stable construction, improved feet and a redesigned central bearing that is smoother, quieter and intended to improve longevity.
Features Usability
82/100
This is a focused manual design with conventional RCA phono connectivity and an included RB330 tonearm rather than a feature-heavy package. The optional Neo PSU brings electronic speed control, but without it speed changes require moving the belt. Multiple cartridge configurations allow buyers to tailor the package to their system.
Value for Money
94/100
At roughly $649 to $1,125 depending on configuration, reviewers regard the Planar 3 as an unusually compelling step into serious high-end vinyl replay. Future Audiophile calls it a legendary high-value model and an exceptional gateway to high-end performance, while Gramophone says it competes effectively with mid-level alternatives that can cost up to twice as much.
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Authorized dealers for Rega Planar 3
- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Accent On Music — in-store — Mount Kisco, New York, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Streams — in-store — Lower Drift, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
and 342 more verified dealers