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Comparison Rega P5 vs Rega Planar 3

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Rega P5
Rega Planar 3
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Tonearm
ModelRB700RB330
Typeradialradial
Shapestraightstraight
Material
aluminium /aluminium/
aluminium /aluminium/
Tonearm effective length237 mm237 mm
Design
Drive unitbeltbelt
Speed controlelectronic (automatic)mechanical (manual)
Cover
External power supply
Phono stageis absentis absent
Features
Features
adjustable counterweight
anti-skating
adjustable counterweight
anti-skating
Specs
Speed deviation0.05 %
General
Base materialMDF/FibreboardMDF/Fibreboard
Platter materialglassglass
Platter thickness10 mm
Dimensions (WxDxH)450x357x115 mm447х330х117 mm
Turntable weight6 kg
Added to E-Catalognovember 2016september 2016

Model

Model of the tonearm — the movable lever on which the pickup is attached — supplied with the turntable. The tone arm is responsible for the correct position of the needle and the accuracy of its movement along the grooves, which is critical for sound quality. Therefore, many music lovers try to clarify not only the general data on the tonearm, but also its specific features in each particular “turntable”; in order to be able to find this information, the name of the tonearm is given in the characteristics.

Speed control

A method for switching the disc rotation speed provided in the player.

Manual. This option is only found on belt driven models (see above). It provides the transfer of the belt to another pulley, due to which the gear ratio and, accordingly, the rotation speed change. This method is not as fast and convenient as automatic, however, it allows you to do without unnecessary electronic circuits (many audiophiles appreciate this feature, because additional electronics can interfere and degrade sound quality).

Electronic. Speed switching, carried out by changing the parameters of the electric motor — usually, the user just needs to press a button or move the regulator. This method is much faster and more convenient than mechanical, and for direct drive models (see above) is generally the only possible option. However, the electronics responsible for switching the speed affect the cost of the player and can become a source of additional interference; however, the latter can be compensated by installing control circuits in an external power supply (see below).

Speed deviation

The maximum deviation of the disc rotation speed from the nominal, which can occur during normal operation of the player. This indicator should not be confused with the detonation coefficient (see above): in this case, we are not talking about constant irregularities, but about the largest deviation possible in principle. Such a deviation can reach 1.5%, although for high-end equipment, 1% is considered the maximum value (and in general, the lower the better).

Platter thickness

The thickness of the disc on which the record is placed. Other things being equal, a thicker disc will be more massive and, accordingly, stable, and will also be better able to cope with extraneous vibrations. Therefore, in high-end models, the thickness of the disc can exceed 100 mm.
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Rega Planar 3 often compared