MSRP: £550.00
Introduction- So you want to spend a little more?
When I reviewed Pro-Ject's rather splendid Essential 2 Phono, I reached the conclusion that it was one of the most cost effective ways of starting out in or getting back into vinyl. Above all else, it gives enough of what the sound of good analogue is about to get you excited about the potential expensive, obsession and general silliness of the big black discs. I stand by everything I said in that review in that if you want to play vinyl well at a sensible price with minimal additional costs or drama, it is the deck you should be looking at
I did make a few caveats though- hardly unfair at the fairly sensible price of the Pro-Ject but things to bear in mind nonetheless. The Essential is, as the name suggests, the bare essentials of vinyl playback and not a great deal more. The finish is a little basic, there are some shortcomings to the sound (although fewer than you'd ever give it credit for) and the nature of how the product is designed and built means that upgrading it in the pursuit of higher performance will be a little tricky.
So what becomes of these problems when we as near as makes no difference double our money? We've jumped from £285 to £550 and gone for a deck that will require a phono stage in addition to that figure. There are a few turntable options at this price but one of them is a little more than just a turntable. The product you see here has existed in its present form since 2012 but traces its origins back nearly 38 years. To many people it is a product that defines the British audio industry and has become something of a design classic. Rega's RP3 has the pedigree but does it deliver in 2015?
I did make a few caveats though- hardly unfair at the fairly sensible price of the Pro-Ject but things to bear in mind nonetheless. The Essential is, as the name suggests, the bare essentials of vinyl playback and not a great deal more. The finish is a little basic, there are some shortcomings to the sound (although fewer than you'd ever give it credit for) and the nature of how the product is designed and built means that upgrading it in the pursuit of higher performance will be a little tricky.
So what becomes of these problems when we as near as makes no difference double our money? We've jumped from £285 to £550 and gone for a deck that will require a phono stage in addition to that figure. There are a few turntable options at this price but one of them is a little more than just a turntable. The product you see here has existed in its present form since 2012 but traces its origins back nearly 38 years. To many people it is a product that defines the British audio industry and has become something of a design classic. Rega's RP3 has the pedigree but does it deliver in 2015?
What is the Rega RP3?
The Rega RP3 is, in basic terms, not unlike the Pro-Ject. It is an unsuspended, belt driven design that sits on three compliant feet and that needs to be manually switched between 33 and 45rpm. What gives the RP3 a certain credibility in this regard is that its ancestor, the Planar 3 was perhaps the first widely available record player to use such a configuration. At its launch in 1977, suspended decks were rather more commonplace and belt drive was far from established. Rega realised that if the turntable was on a decent and well isolated wall shelf, the expensive and complex suspension could be eliminated without serious detriment to the performance.
The Planar 3 remained in production for a mere 23 years before becoming the almost identical P3. In 2007 the beginnings of the vinyl resurgence saw Rega start to try and evolve the design. The P3-24 saw updates to the motor, power supply and arm (more of which later) and plinth. The plinth became a laminate board that was stiffened by a Phenolic resin- or bakelite as it is more commonly known.
The RP3 is still recognisably the same basic deck that broke cover in 1977 but it incorporates all of the modifications of the RP3 and one major change to the basic design. Instead of relying on an all over coating of resin/bakelite, the RP3 instead uses a brace between the bearing and armboard to provide the required stiffness. It retains the 24 pole motor and basic principles of the P3-24 but careful and logical engineering has ensured that Rega can build the RP3 in theUK at £550 and still keep the lights on which is a seriously impressive achievement.
The Planar 3 remained in production for a mere 23 years before becoming the almost identical P3. In 2007 the beginnings of the vinyl resurgence saw Rega start to try and evolve the design. The P3-24 saw updates to the motor, power supply and arm (more of which later) and plinth. The plinth became a laminate board that was stiffened by a Phenolic resin- or bakelite as it is more commonly known.
The RP3 is still recognisably the same basic deck that broke cover in 1977 but it incorporates all of the modifications of the RP3 and one major change to the basic design. Instead of relying on an all over coating of resin/bakelite, the RP3 instead uses a brace between the bearing and armboard to provide the required stiffness. It retains the 24 pole motor and basic principles of the P3-24 but careful and logical engineering has ensured that Rega can build the RP3 in the
Two other features of the RP3 have also been around for a long time and have a direct bearing on performance. The first is that the platter is made from glass which works rather well as a material for placing vinyl on. This in turn means that the belt turns a sub platter rather than the outer edge which is easier to fit and more attractive. The other is the tonearm. The Planar 3 was supplied for most of its life with the RB300 tonearm. As well as being very effective on the Planar 3, it also became the go to affordable tonearm for people choosing one for a huge variety of decks.
The RP3 uses the RB303 which is a direct descendent of the RB300 but changes the mounting and uses a cast alloy arm tube. The arm is one of the areas where the RP3 feels like a big step forward over the Pro-Ject. The 8.6 Tonearm that the essential uses is a clever piece of minimalist engineering but the RB303 feels like an altogether more serious piece of equipment.
The RP3 is available without a cartridge for £500 dead but continuing the theme of turntables that are ready to go, is also available as you see here with an Elys 2 moving magnet cartridge for an extra £50. This means that all you would need to add to have an up and running vinyl source is a phono stage if your amp is not fitted with one internally and a record.
The RP3 uses the RB303 which is a direct descendent of the RB300 but changes the mounting and uses a cast alloy arm tube. The arm is one of the areas where the RP3 feels like a big step forward over the Pro-Ject. The 8.6 Tonearm that the essential uses is a clever piece of minimalist engineering but the RB303 feels like an altogether more serious piece of equipment.
The RP3 is available without a cartridge for £500 dead but continuing the theme of turntables that are ready to go, is also available as you see here with an Elys 2 moving magnet cartridge for an extra £50. This means that all you would need to add to have an up and running vinyl source is a phono stage if your amp is not fitted with one internally and a record.
What's good about the RP3?
The Rega is as near as makes no difference twice the price of the Pro-Ject Essential but it feels like a higher end piece of equipment. The fit and finish is extremely good and whole deck feels more elegant. It is also a design that has a bit of stretch in terms of updates. The motor as standard is powered directly by a wall wart PSU but can be changed for the 24v offboard unit with anti vibration control and reduced noise levels. In addition the arm is well up to the task of mounting more expensive cartridges and the platter can use more elaborate mats than the felt one supplied.
It is also incredibly easy to set up. The Rega is arguably even more simple than the Pro-Ject as the belt comes fitted and provided that you read the instructions on setting the tracking weight and antiskate, it is a complete cinch to get going. I'm not completely sure that any turntable on sale today is simpler than this.
It is also incredibly easy to set up. The Rega is arguably even more simple than the Pro-Ject as the belt comes fitted and provided that you read the instructions on setting the tracking weight and antiskate, it is a complete cinch to get going. I'm not completely sure that any turntable on sale today is simpler than this.
Another area of note is that the RP3 is- in my opinion at least- a truly beautiful thing. If you'll allow me to channel my inner Kevin McCloud for a moment, the RP3 is part of a very special school of British design where the beauty stems from the simplicity of the item. At the most basic level, the RP3 is three items; plinth, platter and arm and so little else is visible that it is a minimalist masterpiece. It is also a masterpiece with a lid. Supplied as part of the asking price is a Perspex lid that keeps the RP3 protected from the standard killers of turntables.
the RP3 is part of a very special school of British design where the beauty stems from the simplicity of the item
What's not so good about the RP3?
There isn't much to be critical of about the RP3. The RB303 tonearm can handle a wide variety of cartridges but you can't set the vertical tracking alignment (VTA)- the height of the arm above the record. This means that some cartridges will give the arm an arse up or down position on the record which is not ideal.
Otherwise, the RP3 is limited only by the same consideration that all designs of this nature have. It has a degree of isolation thanks to the feet but the best result will always be gained from placing it on a wall shelf or some form of isolation platform. This applies to most turntables at the price though.
Otherwise, the RP3 is limited only by the same consideration that all designs of this nature have. It has a degree of isolation thanks to the feet but the best result will always be gained from placing it on a wall shelf or some form of isolation platform. This applies to most turntables at the price though.
How was the RP3 set up?
The Rega was tested connected to the phono stage input of a Yamaha RX-V3040, Eclipse TD508 speakers and an Eclipse TD520SW with an IsoTek Evo 3 Aquarius mains conditioner- again to see if it delivered in an AV context. More testing was then undertaken connected to an Avid Pellar phonostage, Naim Supernait 2, Isotek Evo 3 Sigmas mains conditioner with Neat Momentum 4i speakers. The test material was vinyl again amazingly enough.
What does the RP3 sound like?
As I have already mentioned, the RP3 is a classically British piece of understated elegance but it is also a member of another classification of British audio products. In the subjective area of audio, the concept of timing is a vague and slightly contentious concept. The idea that electronics can sound 'faster' or 'slower' when playing music at the same speed is a bizarre one but if you sit down and listen to the Rega for any length of time, there is something more than the ravings of a demented audio reviewer to it.
Put simply, the Rega is startlingly immediate. Spin Invaders Must Die by The Prodigy and it sounds fast- and not because it is spinning faster than 33.3rpm (I checked with a strobe and a test pattern). There is an immediacy to the beats and bass lines that is consistently and compellingly exciting. Neither is this solely the preserve of bass heavy electro punk. With the polished jazz funk of the the Cinematic Orchestra's Ode to the Big Sea, this speed and deftness is still there and it makes everything sound pin sharp. To be clear, with the Eclipse acting as a 2.1 system, the Yamaha is seriously accomplished and my resident Naim system shares this attribute too but the Rega over and above the general performance of the electronics has a real snap to it.
This immediacy a defining feature of the RP3 but it is never at the expense of the basics of great vinyl replay. The Rega is liquid smooth and manages the neat trick of being impressively refined despite the upbeat presentation. The treble and upper mid is detailed and spacious and does without the slightly syrupy quality that can affect vinyl but even with poorer pressings it remains impressively listenable. The midrange is firmly in the vinyl happy place with a richness and refinement that £500 digital is going to struggle to compete with.
Put simply, the Rega is startlingly immediate. Spin Invaders Must Die by The Prodigy and it sounds fast- and not because it is spinning faster than 33.3rpm (I checked with a strobe and a test pattern). There is an immediacy to the beats and bass lines that is consistently and compellingly exciting. Neither is this solely the preserve of bass heavy electro punk. With the polished jazz funk of the the Cinematic Orchestra's Ode to the Big Sea, this speed and deftness is still there and it makes everything sound pin sharp. To be clear, with the Eclipse acting as a 2.1 system, the Yamaha is seriously accomplished and my resident Naim system shares this attribute too but the Rega over and above the general performance of the electronics has a real snap to it.
This immediacy a defining feature of the RP3 but it is never at the expense of the basics of great vinyl replay. The Rega is liquid smooth and manages the neat trick of being impressively refined despite the upbeat presentation. The treble and upper mid is detailed and spacious and does without the slightly syrupy quality that can affect vinyl but even with poorer pressings it remains impressively listenable. The midrange is firmly in the vinyl happy place with a richness and refinement that £500 digital is going to struggle to compete with.
The bass of the RP3 is also impressive but there are some caveats which I'll come to later. There is a tendency (not entirely without merit) to believe that only decks with a bit of mass behind them can deliver truly hefty bass. The RP3 is a relative featherweight but it still packs a hefty punch. With a speaker able to generate any level of bass, the RP3 will deliver a seriously accomplished low end. The good news is that this bass extension is well integrated with the rest of the frequency response and the Rega rarely sounds anything other than cohesive. It also sounds pretty vast. Wherever there is a requirement for a decent soundstage, the RP3 does a fine job of presenting a believable image that sits between and extends beyond the speakers. Even the relatively directional Eclipse TD508, there is a tangible sense of the recording and the larger Neat Momentums sound very big indeed.
In terms of the specifics of vinyl playback, the RP3 is a also a step forward over the Pro-Ject and one of the very best decks at the price. Pitch stability- the ability to spin at exactly the right speed all the time is good and the noise floor is a little lower too. These are incidental details but they mean that the RP3 has the ability to push vinyl on from sounding smooth and natural to something that can challenge the dynamics and stability of digital while delivering your analogue fix.
In terms of the specifics of vinyl playback, the RP3 is a also a step forward over the Pro-Ject and one of the very best decks at the price. Pitch stability- the ability to spin at exactly the right speed all the time is good and the noise floor is a little lower too. These are incidental details but they mean that the RP3 has the ability to push vinyl on from sounding smooth and natural to something that can challenge the dynamics and stability of digital while delivering your analogue fix.
Put simply, the Rega is startlingly immediate
Any downsides?
In this mass of positives, there are very few things that count against the RP3. Compared to the rest of the frequency response, the bass lacks a little definition and can sound a little monotonal. I've also found the RB303 arm to be sensitive to damaged vinyl if you stick to Rega's recommended tracking weight. Neither of these are exactly deal breakers and the bass in particular is not something I feel that many other turntables at the same price do much better.
Although the purpose of these reviews is to look at ready to go turntable options, I would also recommend that if you are looking to buy an RP3 and your budget is a little flexible to listen to it with other cartridges. As the Elys 2 is £120 and you effectively get it for £50, it is a bit of a bargain but I know that the RP3 can deliver more. Something like an Ortofon 2M or Nagaoka will give a little bit more nuance to the bass and a slightly sweeter presentation than the Elys 2 will but the performance with the Rega cartridge is far from shabby.
Although the purpose of these reviews is to look at ready to go turntable options, I would also recommend that if you are looking to buy an RP3 and your budget is a little flexible to listen to it with other cartridges. As the Elys 2 is £120 and you effectively get it for £50, it is a bit of a bargain but I know that the RP3 can deliver more. Something like an Ortofon 2M or Nagaoka will give a little bit more nuance to the bass and a slightly sweeter presentation than the Elys 2 will but the performance with the Rega cartridge is far from shabby.
Conclusion
Pros
- Lively and consistently entertaining sound
- Beautifully built
- Scope to upgrade
Cons
- Cartridge not as good as the turntable
- Arm design limits cartridge choices slightly
Rega RP3 Turntable Review
I think that this is an interesting price point for vinyl replay. I don't want to pretend that £550 isn't a significant amount of money but this is the last point at which you might buy a turntable to 'have a play.' The Rega is just about affordable enough to be a discretionary purchase and you'd be able to get quite a bit of your money back if you sold it. It is a cinch to set up and painless to live with. Vinyl as a completely convenient one stop shop pretty much ends here.
What makes the RP3 very special though is that it really begins to show what analogue is capable of. This is a sensational sounding turntable that delivers drive, excitement and sheer ability in a way that some less expensive models cannot. When you then take into account the potential to upgrade it, the excellent build, wonderful aesthetics and sheer joy it brings to making music you have an absolute winner. This is one of the industry's great products and even after 38 years, there are few models that can live with it.
What makes the RP3 very special though is that it really begins to show what analogue is capable of. This is a sensational sounding turntable that delivers drive, excitement and sheer ability in a way that some less expensive models cannot. When you then take into account the potential to upgrade it, the excellent build, wonderful aesthetics and sheer joy it brings to making music you have an absolute winner. This is one of the industry's great products and even after 38 years, there are few models that can live with it.
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