Rega

Rega at Kirstein – British hi-fi since 1973

Rega Research was founded in 1973 and initially built its reputation primarily around tonearms and turntables. Today, its range includes complete hi-fi systems as well as components for analogue and digital music reproduction. Development and assembly take place at the company’s own facilities in south-east England. One of the brand’s key principles is to focus each design on its musical function and to use materials where they provide a meaningful technical benefit.

Rega turntables: from Planar 1 to Planar 10

Turntables form a central part of the Rega range. For an uncomplicated introduction to vinyl, the Planar 1 is designed with straightforward setup in mind: the tonearm and cartridge are already fitted and basic adjustment is kept deliberately simple. The Planar 2 develops the concept further with features including the RB220 tonearm and a glass platter. The Planar 3 adds the RB330 tonearm, while models such as the Planar 6, Planar 8 and Planar 10 take the design principles further with more sophisticated materials, drive solutions and particularly lightweight, rigid chassis designs.

Choosing the right model is therefore not simply a question of budget. Those looking for an uncomplicated way into vinyl can start with the Planar 1 or Planar 2. The Planar 3 provides an interesting foundation for more ambitious systems, while the higher models are aimed at hi-fi setups where the turntable, tonearm, cartridge and phono stage are selected and matched more deliberately.

Tonearms, cartridges and phono stages for vinyl

Rega also develops the components that are crucial to record playback. The range includes tonearms such as the RB220, RB330, RB880 and RB3000, as well as moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges. The MM range includes models from the Nd series. Suitable cartridges make it possible to equip a turntable specifically for a system or upgrade it at a later stage.

Another important component is the phono preamp. It provides the amplification and equalisation required for the very low-level signal produced by a cartridge. Whether a separate phono stage is required depends on the turntable, cartridge and amplifier being used. When choosing a suitable solution, it is therefore important to consider whether the system uses an MM or MC cartridge and which inputs are available on the existing amplifier.

Rega amplifiers, CD players and speakers

Rega is not exclusively an analogue hi-fi brand. Its portfolio also includes stereo amplifiers, phono electronics and digital sources. The compact io, for example, is designed as an integrated amplifier for traditional stereo systems and includes an integrated MM phono input. Rega also offers further hi-fi amplifiers for systems with different requirements.

For listeners who want to use a CD collection alongside vinyl, Rega also provides suitable solutions. CD players and D/A converters complement analogue sources and make it possible to build a system around different music formats. For sound reproduction, Rega develops its own speakers, including compact models such as the Kyte and other hi-fi loudspeakers from the brand.

Building a complete Rega hi-fi system

A Rega system can be built up step by step. A Planar turntable is often the starting point, complemented by a suitable amplifier and passive speakers. The Rega System One demonstrates this approach particularly clearly: it combines a Planar 1 Plus with the io integrated amplifier and Kyte speakers to form a complete analogue stereo system. At the same time, a system based on individual components remains flexible if the cartridge, phono stage, turntable or speakers are to be changed later.

Why buy Rega at Kirstein?

When putting together a hi-fi system, the turntable, cartridge, phono preamp, amplifier and speakers need to work together technically. Especially when choosing between MM and MC cartridges or combining a new turntable with existing electronics, competent specialist advice can make the selection easier. At Kirstein, Rega hi-fi components come with a 3 Year Kirstein Warranty and 30 Day Money Back in accordance with the applicable conditions.