Rega Research Planar 3 50th Anniversary Review
The Planar 3 is an absolute classic. Yet, the gap to the Planar 6 remains. For the anniversary, Rega is shaking up the hierarchy and sending an upgraded Planar 3 into the race.
by Alexander Rose-Fehling
Even though Wikipedia claims otherwise, the Rega Planar 3 first saw the light of day in 1976. That makes it now 47 years old. Nevertheless, on the small plaque on the chassis next to “Anniversary Edition,” the number 50 is displayed. This, however, does not refer to the age of the Planar 3 but to the birth year of Rega Research in 1973. That a special edition of the Planar 3 would be released for the company’s anniversary, which would only be available in 2023, probably no one would have thought when the turntable first appeared. Because the beginning was a bit bumpy; initially, the device didn’t go down so well with buyers.
Thus, the Planar 3 was not a great success back then. With its purist style, it probably deviated too much from most turntables. But gradually, word spread about how well the 3 performed and how affordable its price was in relation. Both are still true today.
Elegant, Elegant
There are not many manufacturers who build turntables with such an elegant appearance as the professionals at Rega Research. As with all turntables up to the Planar 6, the lines are clean, the dimensions are compact, and the workmanship is spot on. In the price ranges above, things get more daring and even more minimalistic, but that’s another story.
The Brits do without details like full or semi-automation and removable headshells on the tonearm. Anything that doesn’t contribute positively to the sound has no place here.
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50-Year Edition
At first glance, the anniversary model differs from the regular Planar 3, only in the appearance of the plinth. Now laminated in a lovely walnut finish, the plinth is just as light and stiff as we know and expect; after all, everything in Rega turntables aims to have no energy storage effects. Therefore, you won’t find a lot of mass here. Nor any subchassis, since the energy of the scanning process should arrive unaltered at the ends of the high-quality RCA cables. Nevertheless, there’s more in the anniversary version than in the standard Planar 3. At important points, parts from more expensive products come into play, such as the external motor control NEO PSU. The device, which costs $370 individually, synthetically generates its own 50-hertz sine wave with a DSP and makes the device immune to fluctuations in the mains frequency.
The result: speed and consistency should be better than without the NEO PSU (but are just as good as with the normal Planar 3). A big advantage is that you can switch the speed from 33⅓ to 45 revolutions per minute at the push of a button without having to lift the platter and move the drive belt on the pulley. And the rotation speed can also be fine-tuned using the PSU.
Hold onto Your Belt
Instead of the “Advanced EBLT” drive belt, which comes standard with Planars 1 to 6, this model features the even more precisely manufactured “Reference EBLT” belt, borrowed from the Planar 8 and 10 models (and which Rega recommends as an accessory for models 3 and 6 for $53). In both cases, these are round rubber belts that run in a V-shaped groove of the motor pulley and wrap around a small sub-platter. Compared to a long-used standard belt, the two higher-quality rubbers are said to reduce speed fluctuations by 50 percent and also stay in shape significantly longer.
In total, you get upgrades worth $420 and still pay $105 less than for the standard Planar 3 with the same cartridge. They just aren’t that good at math in Southend-on-Sea…
MM Cartridge and Tonearm
The moving magnet cartridge is called Exact and is handmade at Rega. The system costs $420 individually. It is already installed, and thanks to the ingenious Rega-typical three-point mount, you don’t have to worry about the accuracy of the adjustment. The three screws hold the system where it belongs. The diamond has a so-called Vital cut; other manufacturers call it a Micro-Line cut. The arm is the second smallest from Rega, which doesn’t sound special. But without any doubt, it is a very mature and user-friendly representative of its kind, featuring wonderfully play-free bearings, and the arm tube and headshell are made from one piece. The aluminum tube tapers conically towards the headshell, resulting in favorable resonance behavior. At the end of the arm, there is a stainless steel counterweight. With this, you balance the arm. Then, the tracking force is set via spring force—there’s a wheel for that. The phono cable is high-quality and equipped with Neutrik connectors. An excellent arm, which must be considered incredibly affordable at $630.
The platter bearing with bronze bushing carries a small sub-platter made of plastic. The ensemble is enhanced by the aluminum pulley from the Planar 6; the pulley transfers the motor’s power via rubber belt to the sub-platter. The 12 mm thick platter is made of glass and simply beautiful. It’s an exceptionally well-crafted piece! It almost hurts to put the black felt mat on it, but for acoustic reasons, it’s sensible.
Sound
What more can one write? The Planar 3, especially in this fantastic package, is a dream! It plays wonderfully naturally and retrieves information unobtrusively from the grooves. Its fundamental tone is cleanly delineated, its timing is spot on, and the instruments are impeccably separated. PJ Harvey’s “This Mess We’re In” is playing. The verses are sung by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke. I like neither his voice nor his style, but on the Planar 3 Anniversary Edition, I listen to the piece twice in a row. What a great pop song this is when it’s reproduced like it is through this unassuming, astonishing, and sonically powerful ensemble.
Rega Research Planar 3 50th Anniversary Performance Measured
Speed Consistency Spectrum: slender peak, no side lobes, centered position—Absolute speed almost perfectly accurate (0.8% too slow, adjustable if necessary) and above-average good speed consistency of ±0.09%. Rumble spectrum (below): Pronounced hum peaks at 50 and 150 Hz, increasing in intensity from the outer to the inner groove (closer to the motor). Rated rumble signal-to-noise ratio of 68 dB (record and coupler). Rega Exact (not shown): MM system with high output level (9.8 mV, DIN reference tone) and low impedance (370 Ω, 130 mH). Frequency response with slight dip at 6 kHz (–2 dB); decent channel separation: 32/26 dB (L/R); good tracking ability of 80 µm at 1.8 g tracking force; slightly increased high-frequency distortion 0.18/0.4% (L/R).
TECHNICAL Specs
- Retail Price: 1100 Euros (~$1200, subject to exchange rate)
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Dimensions (W × H × D): 44.7 × 11.7 × 36 cm
- Weight: 6 kg
- Drive: Belt drive via sub-platter
- Speeds: 33 & 45 RPM
- Speed Change: Manual
- Arm Height Adjustment: No
- Adjustable Feet: No
- Pitch Control: Yes
- Semi-/Fully Automatic: No / No
- Special Features: Includes NEO PSU
CONCLUSION:
Who really needs more turntable than this? For many people, this could be the fulfillment of their analog dreams. The Planar in the anniversary version sounds terrific, is absolutely uncomplicated, and looks stunning to boot. But don’t hesitate: The Planar 3 Anniversary Edition is only available for purchase in the anniversary year 2023.
PROS & CONS
✅ Pros
- Lively, natural sound
- Excellent speed accuracy and stability
❌ Cons
- Rega Exact cartridge: very short cantilever, 1 dB channel imbalance (left/right)
- Slight motor hum
RATINGS
| Category | Converted (10-Point Scale) |
|---|---|
| Sound (Cinch) | 10/10 |
| Features | 9/10 |
| Usability | 7.5/10 |
| Build Quality | 9/10 |
AUDIO BENCHMARK
- Overall Rating: 143 Points → 10/10
- Price/Performance: Outstanding
Rega Planar 3 50th Anniversary Turntable | Gramophone
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