Rega Planar 1 Plus Turntable

The Planar 1 Plus answers a question that catches many first-time vinyl buyers off guard: does my amplifier have a phono stage? Most modern amplifiers do not. The Planar 1 Plus solves this immediately — it includes a high-quality built-in moving magnet phono stage, so it connects directly to any line-level input without additional equipment.

In every other respect it is the Planar 1: the same RB110 tonearm, the same Carbon MM cartridge, the same motor, the same platter, the same lifetime warranty. The phono stage is bypassable — if you want to upgrade to a better external phono stage later, you can.

Where the Planar 1 Plus Sits in the Rega Range

The Planar 1 Plus sits directly above the Planar 1 in the Rega range. The only difference between the two is the built-in phono stage. If your amplifier already has a phono input, the Planar 1 is the right choice — and the saving can go toward a phono stage upgrade later. If it does not, the Planar 1 Plus removes the need to buy one separately.

Above the Planar 1 Plus, the Planar 3 ECO Special is the next step up — introducing the RB330 tonearm and the Planar 3 platform at a reduced price — a substantial step up in tonearm and plinth construction.

Sound and Performance

The Planar 1 Plus sounds like the Planar 1 — because it is the Planar 1, with a phono stage added. That means a turntable built to Rega's longstanding design philosophy: minimal mass, maximum rigidity, letting the music through rather than storing and re-releasing it as distortion.

The built-in phono stage is based on the design of Rega's Fono Mini, a separately sold phono stage that has won multiple What Hi-Fi? five-star awards. It is not a convenience afterthought — it is a genuine, properly specified phono stage that does the job well. For listeners who choose to bypass it later in favour of a dedicated external stage, the difference will be audible and worth making. But straight out of the box, the Planar 1 Plus sounds better than most entry-level combinations of turntable and budget phono stage.

The RB110 tonearm tracks records accurately, the Carbon cartridge retrieves detail cleanly, and the 23mm phenolic platter keeps speed stable. Rega's house character — rhythmically sure-footed, tonally direct, musically engaging — is fully present here.

Build Quality and Design

The Planar 1 Plus is hand-assembled in Rega's Southend-on-Sea factory and weighs 4.35 kg — fractionally heavier than the Planar 1 due to the additional phono stage electronics. Construction, finish, and component quality are identical to the Planar 1.

Available in Matt Black, Matt White, and Walnut Effect. The Walnut Effect variant includes a smoked dust cover; the black and white versions come with a clear cover. All three look the same as their Planar 1 counterparts — the phono stage is internal and invisible.

Lifetime limited warranty against manufacturing defects.

Connectivity and System Matching

The Planar 1 Plus outputs a standard stereo RCA signal. In default mode, this signal has been processed through the built-in phono stage, making it line-level and compatible with any standard amplifier input. The phono stage can be bypassed via a switch on the underside of the deck, in which case the raw phono signal is output for use with an external phono stage.

There is no MC capability — the built-in stage is MM only, matched to the Carbon cartridge. If you upgrade to an MC cartridge at any point, you will need an external MC phono stage and should use the bypass switch.

The Planar 1 Plus is the most straightforward turntable Rega makes in terms of setup. Plug the RCA cables into any line-level input, connect the power, and it is ready to play. For anyone who wants a system that simply works without research, this is it.

Technical Specifications

Who Is It For?

The Planar 1 Plus is for the listener who wants to start playing vinyl immediately, without needing to research or purchase a separate phono stage. It suits anyone whose amplifier lacks a phono input — which is most modern amplifiers and virtually all AV receivers. It is also a sound choice for a second system, a bedroom system, or anywhere that simplicity and sound quality both matter. Anyone whose amplifier already has a phono input should consider the Planar 1 instead.

Buying from Martin's Hi-Fi

Martin's Hi-Fi has been in Norwich since 1968, and the Rega range has been part of what we do for years. We are still family-run — Elizabeth Gould runs the business today — and we stock only brands we have heard properly and stand behind.

The Planar 1 Plus is available to hear in our Norwich showroom; call ahead and we will have it set up with a system that makes sense for your budget. When you get in touch, you will be speaking to Dave or Chris — both experienced hi-fi specialists who can talk you through whether the Planar 1 Plus or another model in the Rega range is the right fit for your room and your system.

Reach them at dave@martinshifi.co.uk, chris@martinshifi.co.uk, info@martinshifi.co.uk, call on 01603 627010, or WhatsApp Dave or Chris directly on 07554 687137 for a quick answer after your purchase. You can read more about who we are and how we work on our Why Martin's page. We are at 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY, open six days a week.

Contact: info@martinshifi.co.uk | 01603 627010 | WhatsApp: 07554 687137 | 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY