Rega Planar 1 does not have a built-in phono preamp and to really bring out the best sound quality of this award-winning turntable, it is absolutely necessary to partner a high-quality phono stage with it. Finding a preamp for the Planar 1 can be a really fun process as this allows us to fine-tune the sound quality with a phono preamplifier that has certain sonic characteristics. We always find that a dedicated HiFi audio component will perform better than an integrated version and this applies to preamp as well.
Getting the right preamp for the job will have tremendous complementary effects and this leads to a more enjoyable music listening experience. There are plenty of high-quality preamplifiers with phono stage currently out on the market and since the Rega Planar 1 is an entry-level turntable, we shouldn’t go for high-end models which will cost a lot more than the turntable itself. Even if you have the budget and are willing to invest in an expensive preamplifier, we will suggest upgrading the turntable instead and going for higher-end Planar models. For an entry-level turntable with a modest price tag, the Rega Planar 1 does have exceptional sonic performance.
The sonic performance of the Planar 1 turntable is both entertaining and accurate. It is more neutral bias than being warm sounding like some turntables in the same price range. The higher neutrality and slightly lesser warmth help to increase the clarity thus enabling the Rega Planar 1 to dig out plenty of music details. The most notable characteristic will be its energetic performance which makes it more engaging when listening to our favorite vinyl records. Its music timing is impeccable as well and along with its agility, the Rega Planar 1 simply sounds amazing. The Planar 1 is certainly on the high side of the entry-level turntable category but is worth every penny invested, all thanks to its exceptional sonic performance.
More Information at Amazon – Rega Planar 1 (Black)
Finding the right preamplifier which will match well with your Rega Planar 1 is only one part of the puzzle, and your own requirements will be the other parts of the puzzle. You probably already have a sound system set up or are planning to have one and so the preamp you are getting might need to cater to the rest of your HiFi setup as well. This is why it is necessary to find out more about your own preamp requirements as it will influence the type of preamplifiers you should go for. We should start with this right away and later on, you can check out the list of the best preamps to pair with the Rega Planar 1 turntable.
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Preamp Main Requirements
We will assume you already have power amplifiers that could drive your passive loudspeakers or own a pair of active speakers. If you have neither, you probably want to go for an integrated amp with a moving magnet phono stage that can power your passive speakers. As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of preamps with a MM phono stage to choose from, and you might want to think about what other features you may need. For instance, do you need a built-in DAC or subwoofer outputs with analog bass management or HT Bypass, etc., as these required features will influence your choice of preamps too.
You should also find out if you have enough space for an additional preamplifier. If you are facing space constraints, you probably should go for compact size preamps with a small footprint. Another solution will be going for powered speakers with a built-in phono preamplifier which you can directly connect to your Rega Planar 1. This not only saves you a lot of space but also helps you to save some money where you can use it for other audio components. You might want to work out a comfortable budget too. When you are working on the budget, you can take this opportunity to find out if you need to invest in another HiFi audio gear.
If you prefer more warmth and fluidity, you can go with tube preamplifiers but they will cost more than a solid-state preamp in the long run as you will need to replace the stock tubes with new ones. The more you play, the faster you will need to change the tubes. Tube preamps will be ideal for listeners who like to tube roll and fine-tune the overall sound quality. These are some of the main requirements to seriously consider and feel free to add more to the list. You can seek your spouse’s opinion especially if they are sharing the usage of Rega Planar 1 with you. Once you have gone through all the requirements, you can check out the list of the best preamps to go for and pair up with your Rega Planar 1 turntable.
Best Preamps to pair with Rega Planar 1
For listeners who are looking for a preamplifier with plenty of features and will match well with the Rega Planar 1, you should take a look at Parasound NewClassic 200 Pre. This is an entry-level preamplifier with a built-in Burr-Brown DAC (24-bit/192kHz), phono stage that supports MM and MC cartridges, dedicated subwoofer output (80Hz low pass), and more. The Parasound NewClassic 200 Pre is natural sounding and has high accuracy which will fit in nicely with the Planar 1 turntable. The stereo imaging and separation of the Parasound preamp are precise and have a nice dynamic range.
More Information at Amazon – Parasound NewClassic 200 Pre Preamp
The Rega Fono Mini A2D is an excellent preamp choice for listeners who have a tight budget. This dedicated phono stage and Rega Planar 1 are made by the same reputable company, and more than likely they will share similar sonic signatures, allowing them to work together seamlessly and deliver a cohesive sound reproduction. It has amazing music timing for a phono stage at this price point and its alacrity performance is well-matched with the Rega Planar 1 turntable. It is easy to enjoy listening to the Rega Fono Mini A2D and along with the Planar 1, you will be entertained for hours on end.
More Details at Amazon – Rega Fono Mini A2D MM Phono Preamp
The Cambridge Audio Alva Duo is one of the best preamps to pair with the Rega Planar 1 turntable. It is a highly rated phono preamp and supports both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges. This is a well-received preamp with a modest price and is capable of delivering a detailed music presentation. The rich music presentations also have a touch of warmth in them. Rega Planar 1 adds energy to the overall sound reproduction and together with the Alva Duo phono preamp, they bring about a lively performance. We suggest you hear them out and see if you like what you are hearing.
More Details at Amazon – Cambridge Audio Alva Duo Phono Preamp
The iFi Audio Zen Phono is another fine entry-level phono preamp for your Rega Planar 1. The neutral sonic character of the Zen Phono fits really well with the Planar 1. The musical timing of the Planar 1 turntable helps the preamp to provide a very clean and well-paced music delivery, not to mention, making it sound a bit more engaging. For a phono stage at this price point, the level of clarity which the iFi Zen Phono has is astounding and it can dish out a high amount of music details as well. This iFi Audio phono preamp is ideal for listeners who do not want to add any more enthusiasm into the presentation other than coming from the Rega Planar 1.
More Information at Amazon – iFi Audio Zen Phono Preamp
The Rega Fono MM MK3 is probably the best phono preamp to go with the Rega Planar 1 turntable. This is an award-winning phono stage with similar sonic characteristics to the Planar 1 and since they are made by the same company, they should produce a seamless and cohesive overall sound reproduction. Like the Rega Planar 1, the Fono MM MK3 has impeccable music timing and can deliver a detailed music presentation. The dynamics handling is excellent and the Rega Fono MM MK3 is capable of projecting a spacious soundstage. This is an outstanding HiFi components combination for listeners who like enthusiastic music performances.
More Info at Amazon – Rega Fono MM MK III Moving Magnet Phono Pre-Amp
This is another highly rated entry-level phono preamp to go for and its affordable price point should meet most listeners’ budgets. The Pro-Ject Phono Box E may have a very modest price tag but it doesn’t compromise sound quality and enjoyment. It has a polished background and a clean sonic delivery which makes it a suitable match with the Rega Planar 1 turntable. The Phono Box E also adds warmth into the overall sound reproduction and the Planar 1 instills its enthusiasm into the music delivery. Its sound quality is pleasing to the ears and doesn’t sound harsh or overly bright when you cranked up the volume.
More Details at Amazon – Pro-Ject Phono Box E Preamplifier (Black)
To Sum It Up
These are some of the best phono preamps to aim for and will be well worth your time to have a look at them. You should shortlist a few of them and arrange for an audition, from there, you will be able to tell which preamp’s sound quality you really like when coupled with your Rega Planar 1 turntable. You might want to use your favorite music during the auditioning, as it will be easier to tell the difference in sound quality between the different preamps. It is also highly recommended to hold the preamp auditions in your own listening room.
