Turntable Reviews

Rega Research Ltd., 119 Park Street, Westcliffe-on-Sea, Essex SSO 7PD, England, UK. US distributor: Lauerman Audio Imports, 519 Noelton Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919. Tel: (423) 521-6464. Fax: (423) 521-9494.

Sidebar 2: Joint Analog Source of 1999

Rega Planar 25 turntable ($1275 with tonearm; reviewed by Michael Fremer & Sam Tellig, Vol.22 Nos.3 & 5, March & May 1999)

The two turntables sharing the award this year [the other was the VPI TNT Mk.IV] speak volumes about the state of the art of analog playback in this, the supposed twilight of vinyl...The Planar 25 was designed for Rega's 25th anniversary as an upgrade to the Planar 3. It's meant to deliver a good measure of the performance of the more expensive Planar 9 in a more cost-effective 'table/tonearm package. According to MF, "At less than twice the price, the Planar 25 is way more than twice as good as the Planar 3. It's an incredible value, and a fine performer." It comes fitted with a new arm, the RB600 (essentially an RB300 wired with a low-capacitance cable), Neutrik RCA plugs, high-quality pre-loaded bearings, and a rigid, antiresonant, three-point mount of stainless steel. "Like the 9, the Planar 25 produced the kind of deep, tight, authoritative bass and rich, buttery highs I usually associate with far more expensive ;'tables." Say no more!—Jonathan Scull