Rega Planar 1 Plus Review — Convenience and Outstanding Sound

Explore how the Rega Planar 1 Plus delivers superb sound quality with built-in convenience for vinyl lovers.

When news hit that Rega Planar 1 Plus finally crafted a turntable with a built-in phono stage, I felt a cocktail of relief, anticipation, and a satisfying “about time!” vibe. As a longtime vinyl enthusiast, having fewer components to juggle without sacrificing sound quality feels like a small miracle.

The Rega Planar 1 Plus is essentially the celebrated Planar 1 turntable fused with the acclaimed Rega Fono Mini A2D phono preamp. Both have racked up awards independently, and their union feels perfectly natural — a seamless marriage of convenience and superb audio.

Priced around $500 (converted from roughly 38,000 rubles), the Planar 1 Plus undercuts the combined cost of buying the Planar 1 (~$385) and Fono Mini A2D (~$135) separately by about $15, making the choice crystal clear for anyone eyeing these models.

Rega Planar 1 Plus — A sleek and practical design with integrated phono preamp.

Design and Build: Almost Identical Twins?

Place the Planar 1 Plus next to the original Planar 1, and you'll be playing a high-end version of “Spot the Difference.” Aside from a discreet logo in the corner, these two look practically identical.

Under the hood, the Planar 1 Plus keeps the same trusty components: a precision main bearing, the RB110 tonearm, carbon MM cartridge, a 24V synchronous AC motor, and an elegant acrylic platter. Whether you prefer the glossy black or white finish, the minimalist aesthetic stays intact — and that’s a good thing. It’s classic, understated, and effortlessly stylish.

Setup? A breeze. Rega thoughtfully marks the exact spot for the counterweight, so there’s no guesswork. Just place, balance, and enjoy.

Minimal fuss, maximum elegance — Planar 1 Plus setup simplicity.

Now, if you were worried the “copy-paste” design meant no innovation, think again. The magic lies beneath the subtly altered platter board, hiding a reworked phono preamp. Rega didn’t just bolt the Fono Mini A2D under the deck; they stripped out the USB functionality to channel resources into improving sound quality.

Honestly? That’s a trade-off I’m more than happy to make.

Sound Quality: A Sonic Journey Worth Savoring

The heart of the turntable—the carbon MM cartridge and tonearm delivering crisp sound.

And the payoff shows. Sonically, the Planar 1 Plus echoes the Planar 1 paired with an external Fono Mini A2D, just as you’d expect. But that’s just the beginning.

Right out of the box, the sound might seem a bit dry, almost cautious. However, give it a couple of days to “break-in,” and the audio blossoms into a richer, more rhythmic experience — the kind that pulls you deeper into your vinyl collection, track after track.

Rega has long been praised for crafting products with supple, refined, and incredibly engaging dynamics. The Plus model proudly carries this legacy. Tracks like Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” thunder with firm drive and impeccable rhythm, every beat landing with purpose.

Dynamic grooves come alive with detailed layering and powerful bass.

Guitar riffs are springy, bass lines robust, and the layers of dirty distortion in the chorus emerge with surprising clarity. Each pluck of the strings feels tactile and almost tangible.

What truly blew me away was the clarity and purity of sound. Grunge music is often associated with a murky, raw aesthetic, but here, the production quality of Nevermind shines through brilliantly. Kurt Cobain’s brooding vocals come through crystal clear, each note punctuated with sharp precision.

The Planar 1 Plus offers an open, spacious soundstage. Instruments and vocals are neatly separated, unraveling effortlessly. High frequencies, too, are handled with finesse — take Tom Waits’ “Midnight Lullaby” saxophone solo, for example, which is lively, clean, and dynamically rich without ever feeling harsh.

How Does It Compare to Planar 1 + Fono Mini A2D?

Side-by-side sonic contenders: Planar 1 Plus vs. Planar 1 with external preamp.

Here’s the bottom line: they sound very close but highlight different strengths.

The classic Planar 1 paired with the Fono Mini A2D has a bit more sheer power and muscle. Nirvana’s choruses hit with more aggression and punch. The combo prefers raw force.

Meanwhile, the Planar 1 Plus leans towards a drier, more refined sound. Bass in Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” through the Planar 1/Fono setup is darker, like a moody stroll down a shadowy alley. Through the Plus, it’s more like walking on a freshly paved street — clean and crisp.

The Plus trades some of that muscular heft for a tighter, punchier, and clearer rhythm. It sounds lighter but energized, with added detail and precision.

Why? Because the Plus’s phono stage removes the digital section entirely, resulting in cleaner sound. Plus, the tonearm connects directly to the phono board with no extra cables or connectors, shortening the signal path and minimizing interference.

That said, the external Fono Mini’s separate power supply gives the classic Planar 1/Fono setup extra authority and punch.

So, it boils down to personal taste: do you want the convenience of a single power source and a more refined sound, or the raw power and modularity of separate components?

Versatility: Fits Any Setup Like a Glove

Whether your sound system leans traditional with stereo speakers and an amplifier, a multi-room Sonos setup, or just a pair of quality desktop speakers like the Ruark MR1 Mk2, the Planar 1 Plus slips in effortlessly.

Final Verdict: A Brilliant Blend of Convenience and Quality

While some purists might still gravitate toward the punchier Planar 1 with external preamp combo, I find the lively and engaging character of the Planar 1 Plus more enjoyable overall.

Rega hit the jackpot by merging two stellar products into one elegant package. Maybe they regret not doing this sooner, but with vinyl’s renaissance showing no signs of slowing, the Planar 1 Plus is poised to become a fan favorite — and deservedly so.

Other Models Worth Considering

Audio-Technica AT-LP5x

A belt-driven slightly less expensive rival from Audio-Technica offers a different sonic and design approach, with a powerful phono stage supporting both MM and MC cartridges.

Rega Planar 1 + Fono Mini A2D Mk2

The classic duo gives you upgrade flexibility later on, with the option to swap or enhance your phono preamp down the road.

Rega has long been praised for crafting products with supple, refined, and incredibly engaging dynamics.

FAQ

• What makes the Planar 1 Plus different from the standard Planar 1?
  The Planar 1 Plus integrates the Rega Fono Mini A2D phono preamp internally, eliminating the need for an external phono stage.
• Is the sound quality of Planar 1 Plus comparable to Planar 1 plus external preamp setup?
  Yes, though the external setup tends to have more power and punch, the Planar 1 Plus offers a clearer, more refined sound with excellent rhythm.
• How difficult is it to set up the Planar 1 Plus?
  Setup is straightforward with minimal adjustments needed; the counterweight placement is clearly marked.
• Can I upgrade the phono preamp on the Planar 1 Plus?
  No, since the phono preamp is built-in and integrated, upgrades would require purchasing a different unit.
• What type of cartridges does the Planar 1 Plus support?
  It comes equipped with a carbon MM cartridge and is designed to work optimally with MM cartridges.

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