When it comes to entry-level turntables, the Rega Planar 1 will be one of the first few that pop up in our minds. It is very successful and has exceptional sonic performance for the price. For listeners who have decent budgets and want to kickstart their vinyl enthusiast journey, the Rega Planar 1 is no doubt an excellent turntable to get your hands on. Like all entry-level turntable models, they each have their own strengths and limitations, and the Rega Planar 1 is no different.
The Rega Planar 1 does not have a built-in phono stage and without it, the sound quality will drop drastically. To overcome this issue, you will need an amplifier with a phono preamp that supports moving magnet cartridges. There are plenty of such amplifiers currently out on the market and we need to get those with matching sonic characteristics to the Rega Planar 1 turntable so as to have a complementary effect. The sonic signatures of these amplifiers will need to suit your preference as well.
The most notable sonic characteristic of the Rega Planar 1 will be its alacrity music performance. There is ample energy in its music delivery to give us an engaging listening experience. Compared with some other turntables in the same price range, the Planar 1 is more neutral and not as warm but still works really well for vinyl analog sources. It reveals more music details and has a higher clarity which gives us a richer music presentation. The overall bass performance is accurate and tight but is slightly lighter in weight which is still okay. All in all, it is a musically expressive turntable and is certainly fun to listen to our favorite vinyl records through the Rega Planar 1. For listeners who want a bit more warmth and smoother music delivery, you can try pairing the Planar 1 turntable with amplifiers that have such sound characteristics.
Rega Planar 1 Turntable (Black)
Your amplifier requirements will also affect your choices and it is as important as finding amps that will match really well with the Rega Planar 1. This is why we will be listing out some of the usual main requirements which you might want to consider before deciding on which amplifier to go for, as the role of the amplifier also affects your other audio components such as your loudspeakers. Just to inform you, we will be sharing with you a list of the best amplifiers to get your hands on and partner them with the Rega Planar 1 turntable later on.
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Main Amplifier Requirements
Other than having a built-in phono preamp, the amplifier you will be getting must be compatible with your current sound system setup. For instance, the amplifier must have enough power to efficiently drive your loudspeakers. If you are a bass fanatic or require a powered subwoofer to enhance the overall bass performance, you should get an amp with a dedicated subwoofer output. Going with an integrated amplifier will be an ideal choice since it can provide you with almost all the features you’ll need for a stereo sound system, not to mention, saves you a lot of space since you only need 1 audio component instead of separates e.g. phono stage, power amp, preamp, etc.
You can take this opportunity to find out if you need any other features such as a built-in D/A converter, Home Theater Bypass, Bluetooth connection, and others. So as to get an amplifier with all the features you require. For listeners who prefer to fine-tune the overall sound quality level by level, you might want to go for HiFi separates. Individual audio components which focus on doing one job will usually perform better than a HiFi gear that needs to execute multiple jobs at once within the same price category. Going with HiFi separate route can be very expensive, you should work on your budget first.
The available space in your listening room will also affect your amplifier choices. If you have limited space, going for a compact-size integrated amplifier will be ideal. Integrated amps are also easier on the wallet and will be great for individuals who have tighter budgets. Power amplifiers will be an excellent choice for those who have functional preamps with a built-in/dedicated phono stage. These are some of the main amplifier requirements you should consider before you start choosing your amplifier. We will suggest adding more requirements of your own as the more thorough the list the better. When you are really firm with your requirements, you can check out the best amplifiers to match with the Rega Planar 1 turntable below.
Best Amplifiers to match with Rega Planar 1
The award-winning Rega Brio is one of the best amplifiers to match your Rega Planar 1 turntable. Like the Planar 1, the Brio integrated amplifier has a long history of success and more importantly sonic upgrades. The latest iteration of Rega Brio is an articulate and alacrity performer with fantastic rhythms and dynamics, very well suited for the Rega Planar 1. Furthermore, for such an exceptional performer, it is still modestly priced. The Rega Brio is also capable of producing detailed music presentations with clear sound quality and coupled with the sonic prowess of the Planar 1, you got yourself an amazing stereo sound system.
More Details at Amazon – Rega Brio – Integrated Amplifier (Black)
The Yamaha A-S801 will be one of the best amplifiers to partner with the Rega Planar 1. It has a high power output of 100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms and a subwoofer output for listeners who want more bass output and deeper bass frequencies. For an integrated amplifier at this price point, the quality of the phono MM terminal is really outstanding and it can even compete with some dedicated phono stage components. The overall sound reproduction of the Yamaha A-S801 integrated amp is clean and clear with a high level of music details to boot. The overall accuracy of the A-S801 amplifier is amazing as well.
More Info at Amazon – Yamaha A-S801 Integrated Stereo Amplifier (Silver)
For listeners who want a powerful amplifier without breaking the bank, the Peachtree Audio Nova150 will be an exemplary choice for you and the Rega Planar 1 turntable. It is an integrated amplifier that uses the latest generation of ICEPower amplification, giving its users a very high power output of 150 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms and up to 250 WPC into 4 Ohms. The Nova150 is packed with features including a moving magnet (MM) phono preamp. The Peachtree Audio Nova150 can also help to add a bit more warmth to the overall sound reproduction and at this price point, it is really worth your time to check them out.
More Info at Amazon – Peachtree Audio Nova150 Amplifier (Gloss Ebony Mocha)
The Denon PMA-600NE is one of the best amplifiers for the Rega Planar 1 especially if you have a tight budget. This is a highly-rated entry-level integrated amplifier filled with loads of features and at affordable pricing. The PMA-600NE has a built-in DAC, supports Bluetooth, and more importantly a MM phono preamp. Another notable feature will be the Analog Mode which we will suggest turning on when playing your Rega Planar 1 turntable. This will improve the overall clarity and provide more details in its music delivery. At this price point, we have nothing to nitpick about the Denon PMA-600NE.
More Info at Amazon – Denon PMA-600NE Stereo Integrated Amplifier
The Rega IO is another excellent entry-level integrated amplifier to go for and will be very matching with the Rega Planar 1. This is an award-winning amplifier with a knack for providing its listeners with high sound quality and an engaging music presentation. The compact size of the Rega IO will make it an ideal amplifier for a desktop sound system. It possesses the rhythm and agility to groove its way through the music with confidence and excitement. There are plenty of music details to boot as well and will be suitable to pair with the Rega Planar 1 turntable. The Rega IO amplifier also has amazing dynamics.
More Info at Amazon – Rega IO Stereo Integrated Amplifier with MM Phono Input
If you prefer to add a bit of warmth into the overall sound reproduction with a smoother music delivery, the Marantz PM6007 will be an ideal choice to go for and will be a suitable match with your Rega Planar 1 turntable. It comes with a plethora of features and has a revamped built-in phono equalizer which will provide better sound quality for your vinyl playbacks when compared to its predecessors. The Marantz PM6007 provided us with pleasing sound quality and is easy on the ears, the alacrity performance of the Rega Planar 1 will help to add more energy into the overall sound reproduction.
More Information at Amazon – Marantz PM6007 Integrated Amplifier (Black)
To Sum It Up
All these amplifiers listed here will be well worth your time to check them out and you might want to shortlist a few of them for an audition based on your requirements. During the auditioning of the chosen amplifiers, you will be able to listen and see if you like the sound quality. You should use your favorite music and/or those with which you are very familiar during the auditioning of the amplifiers as it will be easier to hear the difference in sound quality when doing a comparison of each amplifier.
