I’ve owned one of these since 2018—and technically I still do.

Yesterday, I bought an Audio-Technica AT-LP7X, and it is better in ABSOLUTELY EVERY WAY while costing $100 less.

The Rega feels like a toy next to the Japanese turntable.
The Audio-Technica not only has far better build quality, much better isolation, and a considerably more powerful motor, but it also sounds better thanks to the fine adjustments you can make—something extremely important when using a Shibata stylus, as I do.
And that is without even mentioning the constant NOISE caused by the Rega tonearm wiring, which incredibly lacks a separate ground wire and sooner or later becomes a pain in the ass. In my case, it had already developed a very annoying hum. To stop it, I had to tape a small piece of wire to the counterweight with electrical tape.
Fixing it properly requires a complete tonearm rewire, which means another $400 once you include materials, shipping, and labour.

That is completely unacceptable for a product marketed as premium.

Had I known all this, I would have gone with the Audio-Technica much sooner.
If you want to save yourself time, headaches, and additional expenses, go straight for the AT-LP7X.
It absolutely blows the Rega away in EVERY respect.

A vintage 80s RPlanar3 i bought needed servicing.  Corrected speed issue, replaced RB300 arm with cracked tonearm mount sleeve with a rewired RB303.  Replaced stock sub-platter with higher tolerance solid alum CherryAudio one & swapped in a Reference belt.  Swapped in an ND5 cart.  I prefer it 2 CD now .. more dynamic/revealing & better sound-stage.  Suits the Pioneer A400 amp & (US) Alison-6 spkrs.  Their simplicity ideal 4 modding.

The suspended motor caused speed instability issues. NAD modified the mounting for the NAD 533 (double sided sticky foam pad) and rega took on the modification as it did improve stability without any audible issues.

Not only do the vibrations travel from the motor into the plinth, you now have the motor vibrations, the bearing vibrations with a direct rout to the tonearm pivot thru the stupid brace. If they felt that either the bearing assembly or the tonearm pivot needed to be reinforced they should have created a wider gusset into the plinth at each location but certainly not connecting them to each other.

I don't think that's a fair comment about money wasted on a Rega,I love my P3 and its a fantastic turntable that I've had since 1985.Its only an opinion

Love your channel! Please keep posting these! I'm waiting for you to cover Pioneer 530 and/or PL71

Will the metal brace make the noise from the motor even worse

Rookie question: would 3 in 1 oil work?  The 1/4 HP one.  I thought you used that on the Akai.

Do you do repairs for other peoples REGA Planar 3's? Looking to get my serviced up and in working order again.

I love your honest video's about Rega there are alot better turntables out there like the Fluance RT 85 for less money and you get so much more keep them coming and have a great day

25:11 :-)

Oh wow only 3 legs 😂

I would not let this cowboy near my Rega P 3

Does the metal from the platter to the tone arm really do anything ?

Can’t be a p3. Where’s the 60hz hum? 😂 they actually have knowingly manufactured tables that hum for 50 years, everyone knows about it and nothing is done to change it.