have been looking to upgrade my TT for awhile (currently have Fluance RT81 that I got as a gift) and I have the opportunity to acquire a used Rega Planar 3 for sub $700, which initially seems like a pretty good deal and am curious (a). if I'm way off base in terms of thinking this is a good deal and (b). things to look out for / issues (for example, I have heard occasionally there are speed issues)
Haven't seen a lot of used ones come up for sale, so hard to judge relative value...
For context, the Rega is ~10 years old, mods include upgraded tone arm (RB300), Nagaoka MP110 cart and isolation spike feet.
Any thoughts appreciated!
It's hard to know what you're being offered, here. The current Planar 3 came out in 2016; 10 years ago the then-current model would have been the RP3. It replaced the P3-24 which came out in 2007, and before that was the P3-2000. If the turntable you're looking at is a Planar 3, it must be the older version and at least 22 years old. As to the arm, the RB300 was superseded by the RB301 in 2007, and the RP3 had the even newer RB303 (current arm is the RB330). I would be leery of considering spike feet an upgrade to the feet Rega designed for their turntables.
My feeling is that $700 is far too much to pay for something whose description raises so many questions as to what you're actually getting. Furthermore, from my own in-home auditions, I wouldn't be happy with anything in this line older than the RP3, which I bought after hearing how much it improved upon the P3-24. A new Planar 3 is $1125, and it makes a lot more sense to me to pay the extra to get a brand new, current model with greatly improved sonic performance, a warranty, and a full service life ahead of it. If I wanted to stay around $700, I think a new Planar 2 would prove to be a better performing, more trouble-free, and longer-lasting turntable than anything I could find used.
If you have a Rega dealer you can get to, arrange to bring your Fluance along and have him demonstrate the performance difference a new Rega might make. You may well find the Planar 1 to be an improvement, with perhaps even bigger differences with the Planar 2 and Planar 3. Then again, you might find the differences not great enough with any of them to want to spend the money to replace your Fluance. It's always best to let your ears be the judge if at all possible.
I've never heard a Fluance RT81, but I know there are a couple people in this forum who like it, and I've read positive comments from reviewers that I generally agree with. Paul Rigby described it as relatively warm and sweet, presenting music that is at ease, relaxed, and very approachable, making it easy to enjoy over extended listening sessions. How has your experience been with the Fluance? Does it let you enjoy your records, drawing you into the music and letting you appreciate what the musicians are doing, or is listening more of an effort, perhaps with your mind wandering, finding no particular interest in the music being played?
