Cambridge Audio Alva ST vs Rega Planar 1 Plus
Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Cambridge Audio Alva ST · Rega Planar 1 Plus.
| Specification | Cambridge Audio Alva ST |
Rega Planar 1 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Highlighted difference. $699 | $725 |
| Category | Hi-fi | Hi-fi |
| Status | current | current |
| Years | 2021–present | 2018–present |
| Drive | belt drive | belt drive |
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual | manual |
| Cartridge supplied | Audio-Technica AT-VM95E | Rega Carbon |
| Phono stage | Yes | Yes |
| USB output | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Highlighted difference. Yes | No |
| Platter | aluminium | phenolic resin |
| Tonearm | one-piece aluminium | RB110 |
| Wow & flutter | — | — |
Practical differences
Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.
The Cambridge Audio Alva ST undercuts the Rega Planar 1 Plus by $26 — $699 against $725.
Both are belt-drive, so that part of the experience should feel similar on either deck: a motor that's mechanically isolated from the platter by an elastic belt, which is the usual route to a quieter noise floor — the default choice across most of hi-fi.
The Cambridge Audio Alva ST has Bluetooth streaming.
Bottom line: the Cambridge Audio Alva ST has the lower reference price; the table shows which documented features change with the $26 gap.
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Cambridge Audio Alva ST…
Retailer searches
3 US retailers stock Cambridge Audio — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | marketplace | Free shipping on $35+ orders (free on most items with Prime, often same/next day). | View at Amazon ↗ |
| Turntable Lab | hifi independent | Free shipping to the continental US on most orders (bulk/oversized items excluded). | View at Turntable Lab ↗ |
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at eBay ↗ |
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Rega Planar 1 Plus…
Retailer searches
7 US retailers stock Rega — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Advice | hifi independent | Free shipping on most orders. | View at Audio Advice ↗ |
| Music Direct | hifi independent | Free shipping on orders over $49. | View at Music Direct ↗ |
| Reverb | used marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at Reverb ↗ |
| Turntable Lab | hifi independent | Free shipping to the continental US on most orders (bulk/oversized items excluded). | View at Turntable Lab ↗ |
| Upscale Audio | hifi independent | Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). | View at Upscale Audio ↗ |
| World Wide Stereo | hifi independent | Free shipping on all orders. | View at World Wide Stereo ↗ |
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at eBay ↗ |