Rega Planar 3 - help

[Freakuk]

Now that vinyl is all the rage again the wife wants me to get another turntable (I've got loads of vinyl that hasn't seen the light of day in years).

So looking at reviews and recommendations the Rega Planar 3 seems to be my preferred choice, but I can buy it with a cartridge kit (Elys 2) or without. I've read a few reviews where the Elys cartridge doesn't get great reviews so I'm wondering if I should buy without the cartridge and buy one separately.

The question is which cartridge to buy or should I stick with the Elys2?

[Explorer1959]

My very best advice is call a Rega dealer who will have long-term hands on experience with the Planar 3 and which cartridge(s) they really recommend.

I scouted round a dozen different on-line reviews and got no consensus at all re the Elys from its the best money can buy to it mistracks horribly to fabulous build quality to woeful sample variation.

Call this chap for a decent chat re options

Clive
Sound Cynergy
Aldridge
01922 457 926

[Deranged Rover]

The Elys 2 is a dreadful thing, IMHO. See if you can get your chosen dealer to throw in an Ortofon 2M Red or one of the new Audio Technicas or Goldrings instead.

[Mr Pointy]

Try joining the Audioste FB group & ask them:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/300239996801233/

[Andy_mr2sc]

For the record (excuse the pun there) I got one of these for my birthday from my g/f last year and love it. It has the standard Elys cartridge which seems to work well though I have nothing to compare it to. No doubt there will be better out there but at a price.

[tonyg58]

You can buy it with or without the Elys 2.
Some people prefer the sound of a cartridge that is a bit more detailed and clinical (like an Ortofon), the Regas can be a bit soft, but are very musical.

I would always suggest buying the turntable with the Elys at first, because if you buy the package you get £55 off the price of the two parts.

If you see any bad reviews from a couple of years ago there was a bad batch of cartridges out there, but Rega replaced all the ones we got.

Edited by tonyg58 on Wednesday 27th November 14:39

[velocgee]

Does it have to be a Rega? Never been a fan of their TTs (too ‘dry’ sounding for my liking. But just reminded myself that was 30yrs ago!!! )

Go out and listen to some stuff.

[velocgee]

As another poster said, you really need to give a dealer an indication of what sound you are looking for and they’ll be able to suggest alternative carts.

[selym]

velocgee said:

Does it have to be a Rega? Never been a fan of their TTs (too ‘dry’ sounding for my liking. But just reminded myself that was 30yrs ago!!! )

Go out and listen to some stuff.

The problem is when you look elsewhere your budget starts to flex somewhat. Pro-Ject are another option at the price point.

[Zirconia]

Overthinking? Perhaps if you have not heard in years then what you get will sound fine. Time to tweek as you settle in. Recently changed the belt on my RP3 and fitted a Bias 2 replacing an Elys. Couldn't be @rsed going through reviews and getting worried I was missing out and it sounds great for my ears.

[Monty Python]

I'm guessing that you're unable to listen to it before buying? Just because one person doesn't like it doesn't mean you won't. A lot will depend on what amp/speaker combination you have.

[checkmate91]

Planar 2 here from the 1980s with an AT440 cartridge. Does the job fine in front of my Yamaha AS700

[darreni]

see if you can listen to one fitted with a goldring E3 - I've fitted one to my Project xpression & it sounds great. Not expensive either.