Rega Planar 10 vs SME Model 6

Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Rega Planar 10 · SME Model 6.

Comparison of Rega Planar 10 and SME Model 6
Specification Rega
Planar 10
SME
Model 6
Price$6,345Highlighted difference. $5,500 (used)
CategoryHigh-endHigh-end
Statuscurrentdiscontinued
Years2019–present2020–?
Drivebelt drivebelt drive
Speeds33/45 rpm33/45 rpm
Operationmanualmanual
Cartridge suppliedsold bare or with Apheta/Aphelionsold bare
Phono stageNoNo
USB outputNoNo
BluetoothNoNo
Platterceramic-oxidealuminium
TonearmRB3000SME M2-9
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.

There's a real gap here: $845 separates them, with the Rega Planar 10 the pricier of the two, bearing in mind one figure is a current reference price and the other a typical used price that moves with condition.

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 SME Model 6 is discontinued, so that side of this comparison is really "used SME Model 6 vs new Rega Planar 10" — factor in condition, service history and the lack of a warranty against a fresh unit with manufacturer support.

Bottom line: $845 separates these reference prices. That difference is factual; this specification comparison does not assign an overall winner.

Live retailer offers

Checking current in-stock offers for Rega Planar 10…

Retailer searches

7 US retailers stock Rega — linked directly to the product page where we have one, otherwise to a site search for the deck.

Retailers selling Rega Planar 10
RetailerTypeShippingProduct link
Music Direct hifi independent Free shipping on orders over $49. View at Music Direct ↗
Upscale Audio hifi independent Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). View at Upscale Audio ↗
Audio Advice hifi independent Free shipping on most orders. Search at Audio Advice ↗
eBay marketplace Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. Search at eBay ↗
Reverb used marketplace Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. Search at Reverb ↗
Turntable Lab hifi independent Free shipping to the continental US on most orders (bulk/oversized items excluded). Search at Turntable Lab ↗
World Wide Stereo hifi independent Free shipping on all orders. Search at World Wide Stereo ↗

Retailer searches

4 US retailers handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.

Retailers selling SME Model 6
RetailerTypeShippingProduct search
eBay marketplace Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. Search at eBay ↗
Guitar Center music retail Free standard shipping on most orders $25+. Search at Guitar Center ↗
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 ↗

Compare two different decks →