Rega
Turntables, amplifiers and tonearms - less is more philosophy, 100% Southend-on-Sea manufacturing since 1973
Philosophy
Rega embodies the British less-is-more philosophy in hi-fi. Roy Gandy founded the company with the idea that good engineering shouldn't cost a fortune. Short circuits, no frills, pure engineering. Everything is designed and manufactured in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The Planar 3 is probably the most recommended turntable in the world.
History
Southend-on-Sea, Essex, 1973. Roy Gandy founded Rega Research with a conviction: good hi-fi shouldn't cost a fortune. No flashy marketing, no exotic wood chassis, no £500 cables. Pure engineering, short signal paths, music above all.
The Planar 3 became the most recommended turntable in the world in its price range. Not the most spectacular, but the best designed for what it costs. Ask any audiophile community which turntable to buy, and the answer almost always starts with "Rega Planar 3." For fifty years.
The RB tonearms are a global benchmark. The RB330 equips turntables much more expensive than Rega's own. In 1991, the launch of the Brio, the brand's first integrated amplifier, marked a turning point. This small amplifier would become the best-selling electronic product in Rega's history. British musicality in its purest form: not a race for power, but speakers that sing.
In 1992, Gandy himself designed the new factory building on the Temple Farm Industrial Estate. Everything was designed for production. No offshoring, no subcontracting. The vinyl boom of the 2010s was a blessing. The workforce grew from around a hundred to over 150 employees.
In 2024, the Planar 3 RS Edition arrived at $1,795. The Brio Mk7 integrated a digital DAC for the first time, a concession that divided analogue purists. On the high-end side, the Mercury and Solis marked the brand's flagship ambition.
On October 28, 2024, Roy Gandy, around 75 years old, transferred 100% of his shares to an Employee Ownership Trust. Without any financial compensation. The company now belongs to all its employees. Gandy remains a director and continues his work in R&D. In 2025, he received the Outstanding Contribution Award from What Hi-Fi?.
A massive consensus emerged: Rega embodies the best value for money in hi-fi worldwide. Long-term reliability and the absence of marketing frills are unanimously praised. The only debate concerns aesthetics, with some finding the products too austere compared to more flamboyant competitors. A criticism of form, not substance. The succession through a trust is the most elegant one could imagine for an engineer who never wanted to be a businessman.
Iconic Products
Planar 3
THE turntable. Most recommended in the world at its price point. Integrated RB330 tonearm, light rigid plinth. On every hi-fi forum, 'which turntable?' starts with Rega Planar 3. Has been for 50 years.
Planar 1
The entry point. The turntable for someone buying their first real turntable. No gadgets, no Bluetooth, a motor, an arm, a platter. Rega's less-is-more in its most accessible form. The gift that turns a streamer into a vinyl listener.
Brio (ampli integre)
Entry-level integrated amp. British musicality, no inflated specs. The Brio wins no power races but makes speakers sing like nothing else. Natural companion to the Planar 3. A complete Rega system for the price of one competitor's amp.