Is there something like a "budget rega planet"?

[saint.panda]

I got to listen to a Rega Planet (latest version, maybe 2002 or 2004) and I was really amazed by its capability for being extremely smooth and conveying the rhythm. Not the final word in details or neutrality but the rega, especially the midrange, just sounded so fun and musical. This player really keept my toes tapping.

However, I definately don't have the budget for a Rega, (500-600$ used)

So I was wondering if there are other players that have a similiar sound signature while being less expensive. An external dac would work as well since I can use my Philips CD 850 as an transport which has both coax and optical out.

Or should I just save the money until I can afford it?

 

[pbirkett]

Surely a second hand planet wont be that much?

Anyway, I've heard that Cambridge Audio CD players fit that type of sound, but then I aint heard a planet, so I dont know about that for certain.

Anyway, I vote that you save your money. I can tell just from what you are saying that you'll regret it in the long run if you dont. Dont settle for second best.

 

[tom hankins]

Why not pick up one of the original Planets used for about 300.00 on audiogon? The Planet 2K's run around 5-6 hundred like you said but the first planets are found for 300-350 all the time. I've owned both and if your wanting a budget Planet I can't think of anything else that will give you the same sound.
Plus they have a very good transport if you want to upgrade to a better DAC in ther future.

 

[ipodstudio]

saint.panda, don't know if this will help you or not but the details from the guy I bought my Arcam from in the UK are right here. I think he might be able to get Rega Planets, though I'm not certain. Anyways, he's in Europe, shipping and tax-wise, so might be worth sending him a quick email. Say Hi from me if you do...

 

[saint.panda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbirkett Anyway, I vote that you save your money. I can tell just from what you are saying that you'll regret it in the long run if you dont. Dont settle for second best.

I knew somebody would say that

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hankins Why not pick up one of the original Planets used for about 300.00 on audiogon? The Planet 2K's run around 5-6 hundred like you said but the first planets are found for 300-350 all the time. I've owned both and if your wanting a budget Planet I can't think of anything else that will give you the same sound. Plus they have a very good transport if you want to upgrade to a better DAC in ther future.

Thanks a lot. That sounds like a really good alternative. I just read the rather good review on Stereophile. (BTW do they also say bad stuff about anything because almost every review I've read on stereophile is positive or at least ambiguos...). Also read the negative review on audiophilia and many other positive reviews on different sites.
And since I'll probably end up getting an external dac sometime in the future anyway (so I can add a Behringer eq and other goodies into the digital signal path) I guess I'll just go with the Rega. And with 300$ I guess you can't really go wrong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ipodstudio saint.panda, don't know if this will help you or not but the details from the guy I bought my Arcam from in the UK are right here. I think he might be able to get Rega Planets, though I'm not certain. Anyways, he's in Europe, shipping and tax-wise, so might be worth sending him a quick email. Say Hi from me if you do...

Thanks for the tip ipodstudio but his stuff is still too expensive for me

 

[ipodstudio]

Whip him off an email anyway, saint.panda. He might be able to get stuff to order, so to speak.

 

[clarke68]

The Soundstage review for the original Rega Planet compared the planet to an Audio Alchemy DDE v1.2:
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/staff06.htm

...and the writer (John Stafford) preferred the sound of the DDE v1.2. There aren't as many of the DDE v1.2s around as some of AA's other models, but the last one I saw on eBay sold for around $150.

A very favorable review of the DDE v1.2:
http://www.soundstage.com/das_v12.htm

One caveat, the original Rega Planet (the subject of the review above) received a few unfavorable reviews in its day...
http://www.audiophilia.com/hardware/regaplnt.htm

...but the sound evidently improved markedly with the Planet 2000. Other factors include the possible addition of jitter with an outboard dac, and the fact that you're using a different transport entirely may affect the sound.

Long and short of all that is the DDE 1.2 isn't a magic ticket to $600 sound for $150, but for the price it may well get you close enough to the sound you enjoyed on the Rega.

 

[saint.panda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarke68 The Soundstage review for the original Rega Planet compared the planet to an Audio Alchemy DDE v1.2: http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/staff06.htm ...and the writer (John Stafford) preferred the sound of the DDE v1.2. There aren't as many of the DDE v1.2s around as some of AA's other models, but the last one I saw on eBay sold for around $150. A very favorable review of the DDE v1.2: http://www.soundstage.com/das_v12.htm One caveat, the original Rega Planet (the subject of the review above) received a few unfavorable reviews in its day... http://www.audiophilia.com/hardware/regaplnt.htm ...but the sound evidently improved markedly with the Planet 2000. Other factors include the possible addition of jitter with an outboard dac, and the fact that you're using a different transport entirely may affect the sound. Long and short of all that is the DDE 1.2 isn't a magic ticket to $600 sound for $150, but for the price it may well get you close enough to the sound you enjoyed on the Rega.

Thanks a lot for the heads-up. Just read that review and it sounds quite interested; will defineatly do some research on it.
I've already that negative review on audiophilia but still thanks for pointing out.

 

[meat01]

I agree with Tom Hankins. I think that is your best bet. Who knows, Rega could have changed a couple of resistors, capacitors, redesigned the enclosure, called it a 2000 model and charged more money. Sounds like good marketing to me. That is probably the closest sound you will find.

No, Stereophile does not give negative reviews and you can not base your buying decisions on their reviews.

 

[bifcake]

I have the Planet 2000 and my advice would be to save your money and get the Planet 2000. The original planet doesn't hold a candle to the p2k. It sounds dry, and unmusical compared to planet 2k. Planet 2k has been completely revised and is very different from the original planet.

I was in the same boat as you, and I looked through quite a number of players and I found out that Planet 2k is the cheapest way to go if you're looking for that quality of sound.

 

[tom hankins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bifcake I have the Planet 2000 and my advice would be to save your money and get the Planet 2000. The original planet doesn't hold a candle to the p2k. It sounds dry, and unmusical compared to planet 2k. Planet 2k has been completely revised and is very different from the original planet. I was in the same boat as you, and I looked through quite a number of players and I found out that Planet 2k is the cheapest way to go if you're looking for that quality of sound.

I agree that if you can hold out the Planet 2K is a better player than the Planet. But if there is no way you can come up with the extra cash....the planet is probably going to be as close as you will come to the 2K for just over three hundred.
I would not by the planet 2k new. for a little more you can get the Jupiter 2k used.