Planar 3 vs P3

whippersnapper · « **on:** 3 Jun 2007, 03:01 am »

I'm looking at two Rega's on ebay. One is the older Planar3 and the other the newer P3. What's the difference?

SET Man · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Jun 2007, 05:21 am »

Hey!

Don't have first hand experience with both of the older Planar 3 or P3.

But I think the newer P3 have a lower vibration motor and it solidly mounted rather than the one that use rubber band to hang it on the plinth on older Planar. Also, I think the new P3 have a different plinth.

Anyway, you should get the newer P3 if the price is right

Take care,
Buddy

whippersnapper · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Jun 2007, 08:00 am »

Thanks man!

Rocket · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Jun 2007, 10:25 am »

Hi,

As stated by Setman the motor is better quality and the plinth is a different composite material. How much is the difference in price between the two units?

Regards

Rod

whippersnapper · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Jun 2007, 11:54 pm »

Well teh Planar3 sold for $315 and the P3 for $456. I probably would have bid on the P3 but there appeared to be scratches on the fron edge of teh plinth. I have bid on P1 in and I'm eyeballing a P2 also. Should have one or the other in a couple days.

SET Man · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Jun 2007, 12:29 am »

Quote from: whippersnapper on 3 Jun 2007, 11:54 pm

Well teh Planar3 sold for $315 and the P3 for $456. I probably would have bid on the P3 but there appeared to be scratches on the fron edge of teh plinth. I have bid on P1 in and I'm eyeballing a P2 also. Should have one or the other in a couple days.

Hey!

I see. Well, some scratches won't effect the sound you know and it is likely to make it cheaper too.

I've never seen the new P1 but from what I've read. It is a very basic table with a new low cost arm. So, with that I think if you are planing to live with this table for a while I think you should at least get the P2 over the P1. The P2 comes with RB250 arm of which is an excellent time proven arm and I think it should be more compatible with wider range of carts than the RB100 on the P1. BTW... I have RB250 arm on my modded FrankenRega TT

Anyway, P1 only cost $350 new I think with an Ortofon cart. But if bought the P1 than it is likely that you will be thinking of up grade it soon.

Take care,
Buddy

whippersnapper · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Jun 2007, 12:49 am »

Well it's definately a value decision and the scratch just made it not worth $456 for me. Although it did have an Elys cartridge so maybe the cost of a replacement plinth would have been worth it. Oh well.

I'm leaning towards teh P2 for sure. But I figured I'd throw out a $150 bid for the P1 with a glass platter for the heck of it. If I end up with both I think I can resell the P1 for what I paid. This is my first TT since I was a kid so I think either table should help me determine if I like vinyl or not after all these years.

whippersnapper · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Jun 2007, 02:05 am »

Actually it's a Planar2 not a P2.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 Jun 2007, 02:06 am »

Both the Planar 2 and P3 are set for a re-release, so I'd watch for a glut of these on audiogon coming soon. P3's are a lot better than the Planar 3, BTW.

whippersnapper · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Jun 2007, 03:31 am »

Is the P2 alot better than the Planar2?

SET Man · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 Jun 2007, 03:35 am »

Quote from: mcrespo71 on 4 Jun 2007, 02:06 am

P3's are a lot better than the Planar 3, BTW.

Hey!

Yup, I agreed.

First off the older Planar 2 and 3 use a rubber band to hang the motor underneath the plinth and this allow the motor to move causing speed instability. Not to mention that the older more have higher vibration.
But you could get motor upgrade for Planar 2 and 3 that use pretty much what Rega called special double sided tape to mount the motor directly on to the plinth. But I think it cost about $170 for Planar 2 if I remembered correctly. Well, the next level would be TT with outboard motor.

Quote from: whippersnapper on 4 Jun 2007, 02:05 am

Actually it's a Planar2 not a P2.

I used to have Planar2. Very nice simple TT. Well, actually I still have it... at least most of it. See link.... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=932&page=1&sort=pa

Having motor solidly mounted improved the speed stability tremendously. And of course with the motor outside make it so quiet that I feel that it is as quiet as CD now.

Oh! BTW... now I have Benz Micro "ACE" HO cart on it.

Quote from: whippersnapper on 4 Jun 2007, 12:49 am

This is my first TT since I was a kid so I think either table should help me determine if I like vinyl or not after all these years.

Well, I think you will be hooked on pure analog sound.

Anyway, good luck on your search for TT.

Take care,
Buddy

whippersnapper · « **Reply #11 on:** 4 Jun 2007, 07:25 am »

Is the NAD C555 a clone of the Planar2 or P2? I found one on ebay and one new from soundcity for $359. Comes with a Goldring Elektra cart. What do you guys think?

Rocket · « **Reply #12 on:** 4 Jun 2007, 09:17 am »

Hi,

I used to own a rega planar 2 many years ago. It sounded quite good but for some reason i had major feedback from my speakers when i played it loud. I never found ot what the problem was.

How much does the rega p2 and p3 sell for new in the states? The P3 is quite a bit better turntable than the p2.

Audiogon is also a good place to look for secondhand gear.

Regards

Rod

Nels Ferre · « **Reply #13 on:** 4 Jun 2007, 01:32 pm »

Quote from: whippersnapper on 4 Jun 2007, 07:25 am

Is the NAD C555 a clone of the Planar2 or P2? I found one on ebay and one new from soundcity for $359. Comes with a Goldring Elektra cart. What do you guys think?

The NAD 533 was a Planar 2 clone. I suspect the C555 is a P2 clone.

whippersnapper · « **Reply #14 on:** 5 Jun 2007, 08:20 am »

I was looking at some integrated amps for the front end of this all analogue setup and I think I've settled on either the Cambridge Audio 540 with a phono preamp (tbd) or the Marantz PM7001. Power isn't an issue since both will be feeding a seperate amp. I need preouts for amp and sub, both appear to have that. Also a tone bypass of some kind, both seem to have that also. So I guess the comparison is between build quality, SQ, and the internal versus seperate preamp. Any advice?

whippersnapper · « **Reply #15 on:** 7 Jun 2007, 07:47 pm »

I bought this: http://www.soundcity.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=688&HS=1

I watched one on ebay with a glass platter sell for like $450 today, so I figure I can recoup my money if I don't like it. I was looking at a glass or acrylic platter, any thoughts?

whippersnapper · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Jun 2007, 10:06 am »

Has anyone used the AT440mla on this TT or a Rega2? Would I need to get the spacer for proper setup? If so 2mm or 4mm?

fly_fish_nz · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Jun 2007, 02:03 pm »

I noticed that some P3's are designated "P3 2000". Does anyone know whether there are any differences between the P3 and P3 2000, and if so what they might be? Thanks.

eric the red · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Jun 2007, 03:43 pm »

Quote from: fly_fish_nz on 12 Jun 2007, 02:03 pm

I noticed that some P3's are designated "P3 2000". Does anyone know whether there are any differences between the P3 and P3 2000, and if so what they might be? Thanks.

According to the vinyl geeks at AA, the P3 replaced the Planar 3 in the year 2000, thus the P3/2000 moniker. Rega is now introducing the new and improved P3-24:
http://www.rega.co.uk/index2.htm

fly_fish_nz · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Jun 2007, 04:00 pm »

Thanks Eric. From your post, it sounds as if there is currently only one "P3" model then, the P3/2000.

In any case, it looks to me like Rega needs some help naming their models so consumers can understand the progression: "Planar 3", "P3 2000", then "P3-24"? Yeeesh!