Rega Planar 3 - upgrade it or get something better

W9TR

W9TR

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I have a Rega Planar 3 / RB 300 circa 1995, so 30 years old now. I use it in our lake house so it is not my main spinner. It does get used for 3 months in the summer.

I have a Dynavector Karat 17D3 MC cart on it

It is all original, so it runs a little fast, and I’m wondering if upgrading the motor is worthwhile, and maybe adding a motor speed controller.

Or should I just sell it and buy something better?
 
I had a P3 I used for years a great reliable table. I started with an Elys then Dynavector 10x5. As my gear progressed I eventually upgraded to a Clearaudio Performance DC. The Clearaudio sound much better even with same cart but I was disappointed in build quality. I had a RCA end get pulled off. Yes, my fault but the arm had to go back to Germany for re-wiring. Also when I sold the table the buyer was told by a shop the belt should be replaced. Who knows whether that's true the P3 was just less trouble by comparison. The belt should not have needed replaced I didn't use the table that much although I did have the table for some years.

My thought your table is older now and depending the cost of upgrades you might as well get something new. Perhaps move up the Rega line. Another good table with good support is Sota. My friend had just a Sota Sapphire he brought out of storage and hooked it up to a high end system. I was amazed how good it was. Even compared to a high dollar DAC. Of course, he did have a Lyra cart on it which I'm sure helped a great deal.
 
Thanks - you bring up some great points. Even if I upgrade the ‘table it will still be a Planar 3, just slightly better.

The first upgrade I could make is a new motor. The kit is about $250 and reports are that it is a big improvement in stability and drive. I may try it as I think I can recoup the cost if I sell it.

The SOTA suggestion is a great one. They are readily available and not too expensive.

My main TT is a Nottingham Dais. It’s a high mass (50 lbs platter) belt drive turntable with a Uni pivot carbon fiber arm and a Sumiko Palo Santos cart.

The SOTA would be a complete departure from that type of table.

What a fun hobby. So many options to explore. Thanks again.

Tom
 
W9TR said:
I have a Rega Planar 3 / RB 300 circa 1995, so 30 years old now. I use it in our lake house so it is not my main spinner. It does get used for 3 months in the summer.

I have a Dynavector Karat 17D3 MC cart on it

It is all original, so it runs a little fast, and I’m wondering if upgrading the motor is worthwhile, and maybe adding a motor speed controller.

Or should I just sell it and buy something better?
Click to expand...
Well, it really depends on how good a shape it's in, and if it makes any sense from the cost point of view. From a straight forward practical point of view it's probably better to get something new. From a nostalgia point of view maybe it's worth it, depending on how highly it's regarded. It might make a nice little project for you to do, and since it's not your primary it won't be the end of the world if everything goes sideways.
 
Soundbaron said:
Well, it really depends on how good a shape it's in, and if it makes any sense from the cost point of view. From a straight forward practical point of view it's probably better to get something new. From a nostalgia point of view maybe it's worth it, depending on how highly it's regarded. It might make a nice little project for you to do, and since it's not your primary it won't be the end of the world if everything goes sideways.
Click to expand...
It’s in great shape.

I’ve decided to buy a bunch of records for now and eventually get a different turntable. Even if I throw a bunch of cash at it, it will still be a Planar 3. That’s not a bad thing, but I’m ready for something different.
 
KInda just did a similar Rega adjustment on an old RP6 I have had for years. The motor and speed controller is not completely plug and play, Contact the guys at The Sound Organisation in TX. Their customer service is second to none. They will be able to give you all your options for motor and speed control options.

The Sound Organisation | High Fidelity Audio Equipment | Audiophile and High End Audio

The Sound Organisation is the wholesaler and importer of record for many high end audio equipment manufacturers. Learn more about our HiFi audio brands, speakers, turntables, and more.
soundorg.com soundorg.com
 
nc42acc said:
KInda just did a similar Rega adjustment on an old RP6 I have had for years. The motor and speed controller is not completely plug and play, Contact the guys at The Sound Organisation in TX. Their customer service is second to none. They will be able to give you all your options for motor and speed control options.

The Sound Organisation | High Fidelity Audio Equipment | Audiophile and High End Audio

The Sound Organisation is the wholesaler and importer of record for many high end audio equipment manufacturers. Learn more about our HiFi audio brands, speakers, turntables, and more.
soundorg.com soundorg.com
Click to expand...
If I keep it I'll check them out. But I'll probably sell it as I now have too many turntables.....
 
I had an RP6. Went through the whole Groove Tracer upgrades. The biggest improvement I got was decoupling the motor from the plinth. I bought a chunk of 1" steel and attached the motor to it with double sided tape. I sat the steel on a non skid carpet pad. You may have to do some shimmering to get the height right. Then use a white belt. Not black. Thats a less than $100 mod that is very audible.

If you want more performancr than that, I would look at a better table. But now your spending a lot more. A P3 is good. A different $1400 table is just that. Different, not better.

My STST Motus II was much better than my tricked out RP6. But that was $8k and a $3k arm.

The phono pre is also huge. Massive sonic changes between say a Hagerman Trumpet and a Sutherland little Loco. Both around $4k.
 
Kingrex said:
I had an RP6. Went through the whole Groove Tracer upgrades. The biggest improvement I got was decoupling the motor from the plinth. I bought a chunk of 1" steel and attached the motor to it with double sided tape. I sat the steel on a non skid carpet pad. You may have to do some shimmering to get the height right. Then use a white belt. Not black. Thats a less than $100 mod that is very audible.

If you want more performancr than that, I would look at a better table. But now your spending a lot more. A P3 is good. A different $1400 table is just that. Different, not better.

My STST Motus II was much better than my tricked out RP6. But that was $8k and a $3k arm.

The phono pre is also huge. Massive sonic changes between say a Hagerman Trumpet and a Sutherland little Loco. Both around $4k.
Click to expand...
I was in the upgrade mood and have had the RP6 since 2018 when I bought it used for a super deal. It has been sitting in the box most of this time. The PSU failed to work when I pulled it out this time. I have an affinity to have a Rega table around since they were what I started with many years ago. I forgot to add the RP6 is bright RED!!!! It sounds better because it is red. Not much color in current turntables.

I remember on the old Regas the motor was suspended by "rubber bands". Are the new ones hard mounted to the plinth? I need to pull the motor cover off the RP6 and peak.
 
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My motor was sticky taped to the plinth. I can't see how suspended on bands would work. I would think that would introduce massive wow and flutter.

A good stand to put it on also helps a lot.

An old table may need to have the arm bearings checked. You can do it yourself with a wally skater.

Rega is low mass rigid. I gather that equates to a fast sound. The other direction is high mass tables. The question is, what type of playback are you seeking. What is the rest of the system. What is the room. Most all systems have a sound. Can you use the table to shape the sound the way you want. And what is that.
 
Kingrex said:
My motor was sticky taped to the plinth. I can't see how suspended on bands would work. I would think that would introduce massive wow and flutter.

A good stand to put it on also helps a lot.

An old table may need to have the arm bearings checked. You can do it yourself with a wally skater.

Rega is low mass rigid. I gather that equates to a fast sound. The other direction is high mass tables. The question is, what type of playback are you seeking. What is the rest of the system. What is the room. Most all systems have a sound. Can you use the table to shape the sound the way you want. And what is that.
Click to expand...
My main table is a VPI Prime with the fatboy gimbal arm. TOTAL opposite TT philosophy from Rega.

The original Planar 2 and 3 motors were supported by a looped rubber band.
rega.jpg
 
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