Denon DP-450USB vs Rega Planar 2

Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Denon DP-450USB · Rega Planar 2.

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 Denon DP-450USB undercuts the Rega Planar 2 by $96 — $799 against $895.

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 Denon DP-450USB has a built-in phono stage and a USB output for ripping vinyl. Skip the phono stage and you'll need one built into your amp, or a separate box, to play through normal speakers.

Operation differs: the Denon DP-450USB is semi-automatic, the Rega Planar 2 is manual.

Bottom line: $96 separates these reference prices. That difference is factual; this specification comparison does not assign an overall winner.

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