I’m looking at purchasing my first proper turntable with a budget of up to £400. I’m looking at Rega mostly because I like the idea of a lifetime guarantee and I’ve read a few too many forum posts regarding project turntable issues to be comfortable. Also, the turntable novice in me would prefer the fully setup ready to play nature of the Rega arriving at my door - the talk of protractors frankly scares me.
I’m stuck between the Planar 2 and Planar 3. There are some b grade planar 2s available at just over £300, which suits me perfectly. But I’m aware there is no anti skate on them and they cannot be readily upgraded via the neo psu etc.
Thing is I’m wondering how much I’d ever need those features, and more importantly whether in its stock form I’d even tell the difference between the two?
There are also a few b grade planar 3s around too which are just over budget (and minus cartridge) at £450ish. Could I stretch to this? Possibly if absolutely worth it.
I have a really good digital front end and I know I’m not going to be able to get anywhere near as good in the analogue world with my budget. I also have a very small number of records: I don’t anticipate leaving digital anytime soon. All I’d like is for the turntable I get to not embarrass itself when playing one of my few treasured vinyls.
I’d love to visit my local dealer to try them both out but they don’t stock the b grades and I’m not about to use their facilities then purchase elsewhere: that’s just not fair!
Phono amp is a project phono box (1st generation), pre is Myryad MDP500 and power is Roksan Caspian mk1.
Any thoughts? What would you do? Second hand is fine too but would need a massive steer.
I’m stuck between the Planar 2 and Planar 3. There are some b grade planar 2s available at just over £300, which suits me perfectly. But I’m aware there is no anti skate on them and they cannot be readily upgraded via the neo psu etc.
Thing is I’m wondering how much I’d ever need those features, and more importantly whether in its stock form I’d even tell the difference between the two?
There are also a few b grade planar 3s around too which are just over budget (and minus cartridge) at £450ish. Could I stretch to this? Possibly if absolutely worth it.
I have a really good digital front end and I know I’m not going to be able to get anywhere near as good in the analogue world with my budget. I also have a very small number of records: I don’t anticipate leaving digital anytime soon. All I’d like is for the turntable I get to not embarrass itself when playing one of my few treasured vinyls.
I’d love to visit my local dealer to try them both out but they don’t stock the b grades and I’m not about to use their facilities then purchase elsewhere: that’s just not fair!
Phono amp is a project phono box (1st generation), pre is Myryad MDP500 and power is Roksan Caspian mk1.
Any thoughts? What would you do? Second hand is fine too but would need a massive steer.