Rega Planar 3 Turntable with Elys 2 Cartridge

[WineOfTheVeins]

Hello everyone. I have been looking around for a turntable, nothing too spendy, but something that will play records very well. I stumbled across a guy selling his used Rega Planar 3 tt + Elys 2 cartridge.
in great shape, asking half of what new retail is. Are there things I should look for if I go listen to it? I hear it's a pretty wel-made table. Thoughts?

 

[TLS Guy]

Hello everyone. I have been looking around for a turntable, nothing too spendy, but something that will play records very well. I stumbled across a local guy selling his used
Rega Planar 3 Turntable + Elys 2 Cartridge in great shape, asking half of what new retail is. Are there things I should look for if I go listen to it? I hear it's a pretty wel-made table. Thoughts? He's asking $750 but said to make an offer. What would be a fair price to offer if everything checks out? Thanks.

That Rega turntable is a good mid level turntable. The Elys 2 I'm uncertain about. Reviews are mixed. Rega do not have a long tradition of making cartridges, and I don't think the stylus is user replaceable.

You might want to read this.

I think you have been quoted a fair price. But you might end up changing the cartridge.

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

That Rega turntable is a good mid level turntable. The Elys 2 I'm uncertain about. Reviews are mixed. Rega do not have a long tradition of making cartridges, and I don't think the stylus is user replaceable.

You might want to read this.

I think you have been quoted a fair price. But you might end up changing the cartridge.

It looks nice a nice turntable from what I can see, I'm going to bring a friend who has a $10k turntable to help me out since I am fairly green when it comes to vinyl.

I don't mind having to change the cartridge, it's a shame it doesn't come with a better one, but not a deal breaker I guess. So how would this compare to a less expensive Pro-Ject Carbon table that has a carbon fiber tonearm and Ortofon 2M Red cartridge right off the hop?
Thanks for your help!

 

[Johnny2Bad]

I very much like my REGA RP3 table; the current Planar3 is a bit better than mine. I am not familiar with REGA's cartridges, although they get good reviews. $750 is not exactly a bargain but these turntables do not appreciably depreciate so you can't reasonably expect to pay bargain prices. "Street Price" in the US with the Elys is about $1150, so half price is a bit of a stretch. I think if you were patient you might be able to do better but perhaps not more than $150 better.

Maybe offer him actual half price ($ 575) and see if he bites, or comes down a bit. You can show him a listing or two, such as:

https://www.needledoctor.com/Rega-Planar-3-Turntable?quantity=1&custcol124=2

or:

https://www.turntablelab.com/products/rega-planar-3-turntable-w-elys-2-black

... to bolster your offer.

Although the motor/ plinth are not particularly outstanding, it's very functional and and has no glaring faults. REGA tables are very reliable and about the only thing that can fail is the motor, which you can replace for a bit more than $100 if need be.

The real star of the show is REGA's tonearm. It is an excellent piece and can be used as an upgrade on many other brand turntables selling for sub-$1000 retail.

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

I very much like my REGA RP3 table; the current Planar3 is a bit better than mine. I am not familiar with REGA's cartridges, although they get good reviews. If you're paying $500 or less, it's better than anything you could buy at that price range in a belt drive table. Although the motor/ plinth are not particularly outstanding, it's very functional and and has no glaring faults. REGA tables are very reliable and about the only thing that can fail is the motor, which you can replace for a bit more than $100 if need be.

The real star of the show is REGA's tonearm. It is an excellent piece and can be used as an upgrade on many other brand turntables selling for sub-$1000 retail.

Great! Thanks for your opinion. He's asking $750 CDN, so I assume you mean sub $500 USD?
I'm not sure how old this model is, but I punched it in the old search engine and found that it is $1200-1500 CDN new MSRP. He might think $500 CDN is a lowball, but if it's in good shape, let's see what happens. If he's motivated to sell, he might just do it.

 

[Johnny2Bad]

Yes, (note that I edited my post a bit) but $C 750 is a fair asking price ( = US 570).

REGA sold two turntables with the model name "Planar 3" but the first version was REGA's first turntable model from the 1970's with a silver S-shaped tonearm (Japan made) and is a very different unit from the current Planar 3. The unit you are looking at is not the original one if it uses a REGA (black, straight 9") tonearm. It is the newest version and is still current in the catalogue.

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

Yes, (note that I edited my post a bit) but $C 750 is a fair asking price ( = US 570).

REGA sold two turntables with the model name "Planar 3" but the first version was REGA's first turntable model from the 1970's with a silver S-shaped tonearm (Japan made) and is a very different unit from the current Planar 3. The unit you are looking at is not the original one if it uses a REGA (black, straight 9") tonearm. It is the newest version and is still current in the catalogue.

How old would you say it is? It lookslike it's the straight black 9" to me?

 

[slipperybidness]

View attachment 25504

How old would you say it is? It lookslike it's the straight black 9" to me?

I can see from the pic, go ahead and plan to replace that piece of crap felt mat! See that wrinkle on it, looks just like the mat that came with the Pro-Ject Debut TT, and it sucks!

Notice my avatar pic has a good Technics mat on the Pro-Ject, it's there for a reason.

I'm not sure, is that an acrylic platter? If it is, then you may not even need a mat, otherwise plan to add an extra ~$25 for a decent mat.

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

I can see from the pic, go ahead and plan to replace that piece of crap felt mat! See that wrinkle on it, looks just like the mat that came with the Pro-Ject Debut TT, and it sucks!

Notice my avatar pic has a good Technics mat on the Pro-Ject, it's there for a reason.

I'm not sure, is that an acrylic platter? If it is, then you may not even need a mat, otherwise plan to add an extra ~$25 for a decent mat.

Thanks for the heads up, I believe it's acrylic, I am going today to check it out.
So I am a little confused, is this the Planar3 or RP3? Supposedly there's a difference, my friend was also saying one version is superior to the other. I can't tell what this one is.

 

[Mikado463]

Thanks for the heads up, I believe it's acrylic, I am going today to check it out.
So I am a little confused, is this the Planar3 or RP3? Supposedly there's a difference, my friend was also saying one version is superior to the other. I can't tell what this one is.

the pic displays RP3 ....... plus it's a straight arm (newer version per 'Johnny')

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

So my friend was saying that the P3 is better than the RP3, not sure what the differences are.

One other issue, he said that I can't hear it play, he's selling it for a friend who lives in the country. He said he's heard it and it sounds great. Could I plug it in and see if it goes, and that should be suffice?
Since it's not the superior model, and I can't hear it play, I'm going to offer him peanuts for it.

 

[tmurnin]

So my friend was saying that the P3 is better than the RP3, not sure what the differences are.

One other issue, he said that I can't hear it play, he's selling it for a friend who lives in the country. He said he's heard it and it sounds great. Could I plug it in and see if it goes, and that should be suffice?
Since it's not the superior model, and I can't hear it play, I'm going to offer him peanuts for it.

Up to you, but I would not buy a TT that I could not hear play unless I had some way of guaranteeing my $$. Too many potential issues with cartridge and other things that might be hidden issues until you hear it. If you get it home, and it sounds like something's wrong with it, what recourse do you have if he claims it 'sounded great before you took it'?

 

[Mikado463]

Could I plug it in and see if it goes,

sure, just be sure all the cartridge lead wires are ok, tonearm is solid, etc.

Since it's not the superior model, and I can't hear it play, I'm going to offer him peanuts for it.

exactly, IMO the cartridge is all but meaningless to the equation, what ever the table alone msrp'd for when new I would expect to pay half or less of that.

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

Up to you, but I would not buy a TT that I could not hear play unless I had some way of guaranteeing my $$. Too many potential issues with cartridge and other things that might be hidden issues until you hear it. If you get it home, and it sounds like something's wrong with it, what recourse do you have if he claims it 'sounded great before you took it'?

That's kind of my thoughts. Even if I give him $300 for it, it's money gone if the thing belongs in the dump. Maybe he will let me take it home and try it first, or give him a post dated cheque so I can hear it play, if it's crap I can cancel the cheque and give it back. Hmm, I don't like sketch.

How old is this model does anyone know? Is it actually worth $750CDN after seeing the picture?

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

sure, just be sure all the cartridge lead wires are ok, tonearm is solid, etc.



exactly, IMO the cartridge is all but meaningless to the equation, what ever the table alone msrp'd for when new I would expect to pay half or less of that.

Thank you. Since I am a little green in the vinyl world, my friend is coming, he might know what to look for better. I appreciate the help everyone!

So, cartridge-less it's $1199, but this also looks like the newer P3 not the RP3. Different badge on bottom. I'm not really sure what the differences are, or if it matters. But something tells me the one I am looking at is the old model.

Link: https://www.hifipro.ca/product/rega-planar-3-laqua-noir?attribute_pa_color=black&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-K2hldn-3AIVC9vACh0vdAnKEAYYAyABEgKd8PD_BwE

 

[Mikado463]

again, the pic you provided says RP3 !

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

again, the pic you provided says RP3 !

Yes but when I type in RP3 into Google, the "Rega P3" is all I can find coming up. Comparing apples or oranges.

Edit: I found an old review for the RP3, says it's 550 GPB so $924 CDN, 1/2 = $462 minus more for not being able to hear it.

 

[slipperybidness]

Yes but when I type in RP3 into Google, the "Rega P3" is all I can find coming up. Comparing apples or oranges.

Edit: I found an old review for the RP3, says it's 550 GPB so $924 CDN, 1/2 = $462 minus more for not being able to hear it.

So many unknowns, and the seller not wanting to let you hear it before purchase, I would take a hard pass on that.

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

So many unknowns, and the seller not wanting to let you hear it before purchase, I would take a hard pass on that.

Instead of wasting anyone's time, before meeting him I said ok if that's the case, it makes me a little uncomfortable, I'll offer $500, not $750. He said sorry, owner wants $700 lowest. I replied once more telling him why I only want to do $500, we will see what happens.
Good luck getting $7 for the inferior model that you won't let anyone hear first. I guess I am back to the drawing board..

Maybe I should get a Pro-Ject Carbon, or just keeps my eyes peeled for a high end table used.

"Selling for a friend who lives in country because it's easier." Well not really, he obviously had a setup at his house, I'd rather drive out there so I can actually hear it, rather than have a middle man and no way of hearing. Also complicates things if something goes south. "Oh, it was my friend's. I don't know what to tell you." Could even be stolen for all I know, doubt it, but possible.

 

[WineOfTheVeins]

Nope. Not interested.


He said it's in great shape etc, said he paid $1100 CDN for it so $700 is a fair deal he said, etc etc. Disagree. $550 would be fine, and that's if I could hear it play. Little bickering back and forth, no deal.

Anyone have any suggestions for a TT? Back to square 1. I like the U-Turns but shipping and import fees to Canada makes them not worth it.