Source-stated differences to check
Cartridge supplied: Rega Carbon versus Rega Carbon (Nd3 optional upgrade). These are the two displayed models’ recorded specifications. They do not establish sound quality or replacement-part compatibility.
Rega Planar 1 vs Rega Planar 2
Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Rega Planar 1 · Rega Planar 2.
On small screens, scroll the table sideways; specification names stay pinned.
| Specification | Rega Planar 1 |
Rega Planar 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Highlighted difference. $595 | $895 |
| Category | Hi-fi | Hi-fi |
| Status | current | current |
| Years | 2016–present | 2016–present |
| Drive | belt drive | belt drive |
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual | manual |
| Cartridge supplied | Highlighted difference. Rega Carbon | Rega Carbon (Nd3 optional upgrade) |
| Phono stage | No | No |
| USB output | No | No |
| Bluetooth direction | Not listed | Not listed |
| Platter | phenolic resin | float glass |
| Tonearm | RB110 | RB220 |
| 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.
On price alone the Rega Planar 1 costs less, coming in $300 (about 34%) below the Rega Planar 2.
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.
Bottom line: the Rega Planar 1 has the lower reference price; the table shows which documented features change with the $300 gap.
Buying evidence
Reference prices are dated catalogue guides. Live offers are current checks; retailer searches are routes to relevant shops and do not assert stock. Exact internal matching identifiers are not exposed as public product facts without corroboration.
Retailer searches
6 US retailers are listed in our Rega retailer guide — linked directly to the product page where we have one, otherwise to a site search for the deck.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product link |
|---|---|---|---|
 Music Direct |
hifi independent | Free shipping on orders over $49. | View at Music Direct ↗ |
 Turntable Lab |
hifi independent | Free shipping to the continental US on most orders (bulk/oversized items excluded). | View at Turntable Lab ↗ |
 Audio Advice |
hifi independent | Free shipping on most orders. | Search at Audio Advice ↗ |
| Reverb | used marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | Search at Reverb ↗ |
 Upscale Audio |
hifi independent | Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). | Search at Upscale Audio ↗ |
 World Wide Stereo |
hifi independent | Free shipping on all orders. | Search at World Wide Stereo ↗ |
Retailer searches
6 US retailers are listed in our Rega retailer guide — linked directly to the product page where we have one, otherwise to a site search for the deck.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music Direct |
hifi independent | Free shipping on orders over $49. | View at Music Direct ↗ |
| Turntable Lab |
hifi independent | Free shipping to the continental US on most orders (bulk/oversized items excluded). | View at Turntable Lab ↗ |
| Audio Advice |
hifi independent | Free shipping on most orders. | Search at Audio Advice ↗ |
| Reverb | used marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | Search at Reverb ↗ |
| Upscale Audio |
hifi independent | Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). | Search at Upscale Audio ↗ |
| World Wide Stereo |
hifi independent | Free shipping on all orders. | Search at World Wide Stereo ↗ |