When discussing turntables, one name consistently stands out: Rega. For over 50 years, the British company Rega Research has built its reputation on uncompromising engineering, sensible pricing, and—most importantly—a passion for vinyl playback. Today, Rega is one of the world's most respected hi-fi brands, with its products sold in over 50 countries.
You can find Rega products here at Hifikaupat.fi.
From the beginning: Rega's story since 1973
Rega Research was founded in 1973 when Roy Gandy and Tony Relph joined forces in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The company's name is an abbreviation of the founders' surnames: RElph and GAndy.
The story didn't begin in a large factory but with one man's frustration. Roy Gandy worked part-time as a hi-fi salesman and had to repair new turntables before daring to sell them. He was convinced that he could do better himself, and thus Rega's first commercial product, the Planet turntable, was born in 1973.
The following years brought classics that made Rega a household name:
- 1975 – Planar 2, a turntable with a glass platter that combined good sound and a reasonable price
- 1977 – Planar 3, one of the most iconic turntables in the hi-fi world
- 1983 – RB300 tonearm, Rega's first proprietary, single-piece cast tonearm – one of the most successful specialist audio products ever (over 400,000 units sold)
- 1988 – Own cartridges
- Early 1990s – Amplifiers (Elicit, Elex, Brio) and speakers
- 1996 – First CD player
While the product range has expanded to include amplifiers, phono preamplifiers, CD players, and speakers, Rega's heart has always been the turntable. It is a brand that was born around vinyl and has never forgotten it.
English craftsmanship in its own factory
Rega has not outsourced mass production to Asia. It remains a fully British manufacturer, designing and assembling every product by hand in its own facilities in Southend-on-Sea, on the south coast of Essex.
The company's factory complex covers almost 70,000 square feet (approximately 6,500 m²) in one industrial area. Over 150 people work there – engineers, technicians, and assemblers trained to Rega's demanding tolerances and quality requirements.
Rega's philosophy is clear:
- every product is designed and assembled by hand in England
- no marketing department – money goes into research and development
- lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects
- repair service for devices up to 50 years old
In 2024, founder Roy Gandy transferred full ownership of the company to an Employee Ownership Trust. The goal is to protect Rega's culture and ensure that the brand remains an independent British manufacturer in the future, without external investors or acquisitions.
”Designed & hand built in England since 1973” – Rega's slogan is not marketing speak. It is the reality in every turntable assembled at the factory.
Specialized in turntables – and the best in the world at it
Rega stands out because it has specialized in turntables for over five decades. While many manufacturers expand their product range to everything imaginable, Rega has remained true to the core of analogue sound.
Rega's turntable architecture is based on Roy Gandy's engineering principles:
- light, rigid plinth – minimizing vibrations
- glass platter – rigidity and flatness (Planar series)
- low mass tonearm – as few joints as possible, a single piece of cast aluminium
- belt drive – separate motor and precise speed control
These principles have remained the same for decades, but materials and manufacturing techniques have evolved. In high-end products like the Naia and Naiad turntables, Rega has taken its philosophy to the extreme: graphene-reinforced carbon fiber plinth, titanium tonearm, ceramic bearings, and a DSP-controlled power supply.
Planar series – a Rega for every budget
Rega's Planar series covers the entire price spectrum from beginner to enthusiast and demanding listening:
- Planar 1 – an easy start to vinyl, excellent value for money
- Planar 2 – a new interpretation of a classic
- Planar 3 / Planar 3 RS Edition – an iconic model that has won annual awards
- Planar 6 / Planar 6 RS – the next step for enthusiasts
- Planar 8 and Planar 10 – lightweight high-end models
- Naia – Rega's flagship turntable, a production version of the Naiad research project
Rega also manufactures its own cartridges (Nd series, Ania, Apheta, Aphelion), tonearms (RB series), and phono preamplifiers (Fono MM/MC), all designed to work seamlessly with Rega turntables.
Awards and test successes – Rega wins when tested
Rega products have collected awards from all major hi-fi publications. Here are the most recent and significant:
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2025 – six awards in one night
At the What Hi-Fi? gala in November 2025, Rega won six awards:
- Planar 3 RS Edition – Product of the Year in turntables + best in the £750–1000 category
- Planar 1 – best turntable in the £300–500 category (winning for several consecutive years)
- Planar 6 + Nd7 cartridge – best in the £1000–2000 category
- Fono MM – best phono preamplifier under £400
- Roy Gandy – Outstanding Contribution award for his lifetime contribution to the hi-fi industry
What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024
- Planar 3 / Nd3 – Product of the Year in turntables
- Planar 1 – best under £500
- Planar 6 – best over £1000
Other significant awards and reviews
- The Absolute Sound – Naia was selected as Turntable of the Year 2025
- AVForums Editor's Choice 2025/26 – Planar 3 RS: Best Aspirational Turntable
- AVForums – Naia: best high-end turntable 2024/25
- Hi-Fi Choice – Mercury preamplifier and Solis power amplifier: ”delivering a Rega experience honed to perfection”
- Sound Advice – Planar 6 RS: Exceptional rating
- The Ear – Reference Mercury & Solis: Editor's Choice
What Hi-Fi? described the Planar 1 as: ”Another year, another win for the stellar Rega Planar 1 which continues to offer the best sound and value you will find on a turntable at this price.” Of the Planar 3 RS Edition, it was noted that it improves upon its iconic sibling in almost every aspect.
More than a turntable – an entire system
Although Rega is a turntable brand at heart, the range covers the entire analogue chain:
- Amplifiers – Brio Mk7, Elex Mk4, Elicit Mk5, Io, Aethos, flagship models Mercury and Solis
- Phono Preamplifiers – Fono MM and Fono MC
- CD Players / DAC – Apollo, Isis
- Speakers – RS series, Aya
- Cartridges and Tonearms – entire Nd series, Ania, Apheta, RB series
The Brio Mk7 amplifier's built-in MM phono stage is, according to testers, the best in its class. A logical continuation for a brand that has built its reputation on turntables.
Why choose Rega?
Rega is not a trend brand. It is a manufacturer that has been doing the same thing for over 50 years, improving it step by step and leaving marketing tricks to others. When you buy a Rega turntable, you get:
- A device hand-assembled in England that will last for decades
- Award-winning sound – a tester's favourite in almost every price range
- A sensible whole – cartridge, tonearm, RIAA, and amplifier designed to work together
- A lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects
- A repair option – Rega services its devices for a long time
Vinyl's popularity has grown again, and Rega is one of the biggest beneficiaries. With the turntable market stronger than ever in the 21st century, Rega continues to dominate it with countless What Hi-Fi? wins in a single year and a special founder's award.
Explore Rega at Hifikaupat.fi
Want to start listening to vinyl or upgrade your turntable? Browse our Rega products and find the right model for your system – whether it's your first Planar 1 or a more demanding Planar 6.
Unsure about your choice? Contact us – we'll help you find the Rega that suits your listening preferences and budget.
