Rega Planar 2/Nd3 review

The Rega Planar 2 can sometimes be the forgotten middle child. Stuck between the iconic Planar 3 and the entry-level Planar 1, the second rung on the ladder of Rega’s turntables can get easily overlooked for being neither the most budget-friendly option nor the ultimate sweet spot. But as we know from past experience, the step-up turntable from the budget Planar 1 is excellent. 

The current iteration of the Planar 2 deck has been in play since 2016, which is when we reviewed it with its standard fitted cartridge to five-star success. Rega has recently launched a new line of moving magnet cartridges, one of which (the Nd3) comes as an optional extra for the Planar 2. We recently reviewed the Planar 3/Nd3 package and were left impressed with the impact the new cartridge made on an already great performance. So now the Planar 2/Nd3 package is under scrutiny.

Price

You can still buy the Planar 2 with the standard factory-fitted Carbon MM cartridge for £499 / $775 / AU$999. The Nd3 moving magnet cartridge comes as an optional upgrade, and selecting it brings the package total to £599 / $795 / AU$1299. Considering the Nd3 on its own costs £175 / $345 / AU$380, it’s a rather good deal.

At this price level, Rega has direct competition from the new Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 (£599 / $699), which is a successor to the five-star Debut Carbon Evo. Around this level you can also find the Dual CS 518 and CS 418, although these models come with built-in phono stages, in contrast to the purist design of the Planar 2 and Evo 2.

Build & design

Rega’s belt-drive Planar 2 is a minimalist, well-built design that has stood the test of time. The Planar 2 was refreshed with a fair few updates back in 2016, which included an RB220 single-piece aluminium tonearm, a 10mm floating glass platter, an improved central brass bearing, an improved trio of feet and a new 24v low-noise motor. These all continue in the current deck.

The MDF plinth is laminated in a high gloss acrylic finish, available in white, black and red colours; a walnut veneer finish is also an option. Despite its simplicity, the Planar 2 looks and feels classy compared with price rivals. The finish is of a high quality and everything works with a reassuring smoothness and sturdiness. The lift mechanism in particular is as smooth as butter, especially compared with rivals. 

There is a simple rocker switch under the plinth to turn the motor on and off, although the quirk of manual speed change remains. This means that if you want to switch between playing 33⅓ and 45 RPM records, you will need to remove the glass platter and manually move the belt to a different step on the motor pulley. It’s easy enough to do, but it can become rather cumbersome if your vinyl collection consists of both types that you want to play regularly. We would prefer an electronic speed control to make operation easier. We do, however, like how the rocker switch is slightly angled to a position that our fingers would naturally reach for it under the plinth.

Setting up the Planar 2/Nd3 is otherwise fuss-free. Twisting the counterweight on to the tonearm to set the tracking force for the Nd3 (1.75g) requires a specific number of turns, and while we would still prefer number markings on the counterweight to guide us, you only have to do it once (until you move house or your hi-fi system). Once the bias is set, you’re ready to start playing.

Sound

We start our testing with the Rega turntable placed on a stable, level surface, and plug it into our reference system of the PMC Cor amplifier and Epos ES14N speakers, with a Vertere Phono-1 MkII L phono stage. We also used the more price-appropriate system of the Award-winning Arcam A5 amp (which has a phono stage built in) and KEF LS50 Meta speakers.

With every record we spin on it, the Planar 2/Nd3 delivers an authoritative, assured performance that’s nimble, articulate and rhythmically precise. It has a surefooted way with rhythms and an energetic, propulsive sense of drive. Dynamics – the ebbs and flows, the fluid shifts in intensity, the quiet moments and the loud moments (and all the moments in between) – are handled with a subtlety and maturity that feels effortless at this level. Every element in a track has its place and melds together with the others organically to deliver a great tune you can tap your foot along to.

We play Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 and are treated to a pleasingly big and solid sound, with instruments full of body and texture. The dramatic intro is full of fervour, and there’s ample space in the soundstage for the quieter strings to flourish – their positions are distinct in the three-dimensional space. There’s plenty of swing and fluidity to the strings as they switch from agile and playful to a triumphant and majestic crescendo. The incremental increases of volume and build up of dynamics are layered, clear and deliver a genuine sense of movement. 

The deck delicately balances control and fun. The tight drum patterns in Slipknot’s Wait And Bleed are fast, precise and pulled taut, there’s slam and punch when needed, and the chaotic, aggressive energy of this heavy metal track is under control but never on too tight a leash. Switch to Portishead’s Glory Box and the Planar 2 communicates the smoky noir mood of the track beautifully. Beth Gibbons’ pitchy, strained singing, breathy edges and electronic-tinged spoken verses all have different tones and textures, and we hear all these variations and nuances clearly through the Rega. There is a slight reticence in the midrange that affects vocals; it’s not a question of clarity or of not sounding authentic – it’s more that we want a touch more enthusiasm and liveliness to voices where the Planar 2 sounds a tad reserved. 

There are rival turntables – such as the new Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 – that deliver a more immediately likeable, sweet-toned midrange, but the Rega counters with subtler detail, engaging and convincing dynamics, and a better, more natural sense of rhythmic drive. Stick with it and it will reward you in the long run; it communicates the mood and message of a song more faithfully, and is transparent enough to show off the different recordings and different quality of pressings with every album we play, too.

Verdict

A mature turntable that won’t break the bank, the classy Planar 2/Nd3 is an excellent package for the price. If your budget can stretch beyond the entry-level and you want to get closer to that authority and superior rhythmic excellence of the step-up Planar 3 without paying the higher price, the Planar 2/Nd3 combination is a satisfying performer that will do justice to your record collection.

First reviewed: September 2024

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Build 5
• Features 3

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Also consider the new Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2

Read our review of the standard Rega Planar 2/Carbon

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