Last Updated on March 6, 2023
As an audiophile, we are constantly on the lookout for turntables that will literally turn heads, and one of the to turntables that we have admired is the Rega – RP1 Turntable. The Rega RP1 turntable is truly a beauty in its own rights, and needless to say, it is one of the more popular turntables that audiophiles will purchase. But the company behind this awesome turntable did not rest its laurels. It went on to further optimize the Rega RP1, and they came up with the Rega RP1 performance pack, which offers an upgrade to the already awesome Rega RP1.
In this review, we will thus be looking at the Rega – RP1 review and following that will be the Rega RP1 Performance Pack review.
Rega RP1 Review
The Rega – RP1 Turntable is one the most affordable turntables that are developed from Rega. Rega is well known for producing some of the world’s award-winning turntables, but usually, they cost a premium. They decided to push their products to people with a tight budget and hence the production of the Rega RP1. Perhaps one of the top budget turntables for anyone, the Rega RP1 has most of the awesome qualities of a high-end turntable, yet costs just a fraction of a premium price.
Let us look a little deeper into the features and functionality of the Rega RP1 turntable.
Design
The Rega RP1 is a beautifully designed turntable that combines both style and functionality. It features a sleek, minimalist design that will look great in any modern home. The turntable’s plinth is made from high-quality MDF, which helps to reduce unwanted vibrations that can affect sound quality. The plinth is also available in a range of finishes, including glossy black, white, and red, so you can choose the one that best matches your home décor.
The Rega RP1’s tonearm is another standout feature. It’s made from lightweight aluminum, which helps to reduce unwanted vibrations that can affect sound quality. The tonearm is also fully adjustable, so you can easily customize it to your preferences. The turntable also comes with a high-quality cartridge, the Rega Carbon, which is designed to deliver excellent sound quality.
Features
Rega is a deep advocate for simplistic design. Interestingly, the Rega RP1 is simple in design yet offering quite a few features that most audiophiles would like to have in a turntable. It is a semi-automatic turntable, and you can change the speed of the turntable with a push of a button. However, if you wish to change the speed on the records, it can be pretty cumbersome as you would need to move the belt to other grooves. This might pose a challenge to newbies, but we will comment on this later on.
The one feature that we love is that the Rega RP1 uses its own Rega cartridge rather than the usual Ortofon cartridges. This is definitely the best upgrade that you can provide to the RP1.
Functionality
The tonearm is as per most of the Rega turntables. It uses the RB101 tonearm which has a three-point mounting platform. This allows increased stability as well as accuracy in the positioning of the tonearm. Together with the three rubber feet at the bottom of the plinth as well as the heavy Phenolic resin platter, you can be assured that the production of sound will be as smooth as ever. The tonearm is actually pretty easy to use too as it is elevated as well as being damped at an amount that is just right in playing records.
When playing music on the records, sometimes a slight vibration can really disrupt the flow of music. This can be rather perplexing, especially when you are listening to a classical piece. To reduce the problem, the Rega RP1 uses a low-vibration motor that ensures that the entire turntable will not be affected. Of course, to ensure the best and smooth production of sound, we will recommend you to install the speakers away from the table that is holding the turntable. Do ensure that the table is solid and rigid too. Having said that, you might hear some rumble when playing vinyl records on the RP1, but the rumble is one of the lowest levels ever.
Sound Quality
As for the quality of sound, so long as the flooring is fixed and the area around the turntable is devoid of vibration, you can be assured that the sound produced by the Rega RP1 is of the highest level, which can be compared to the regular premium Rega turntables.
The bass of the sound is pretty awesome too. It is perfect at the higher pitch sounds and awesome at the lower basses. Being perfectly balanced in terms of tone, you can really enjoy songs of all genre when it comes to playing vinyl records on this turntable.
Performance
As mentioned above, the performance of the Rega RP1 is truly impressive. It delivers clear, detailed sound with excellent channel separation. The turntable’s platter is made from high-quality phenolic resin, which helps to reduce unwanted vibrations that can affect sound quality. The turntable also features a low-vibration motor that ensures smooth, consistent rotation.
One of the standout features of the Rega RP1 is its easy setup. The turntable comes with everything you need to get started, including a dust cover and a high-quality RCA cable. The setup process is straightforward and can be completed in just a few minutes.
Aesthetics
Nothing surprising here actually. The sleek black design is pretty standard these days. While not exactly vintage, it will still fit nicely into modern homes.
What can be improved
Being one of the best budget turntables that you can have, it does have a good combination of aesthetics, sound quality as well as durability. However, it does have its shortcomings too. The sound can be of a better quality, in the sense that the current sound does not sound like stereo sounds. Of course, given Rega’s reputation of wanting to be perfect in everything that they do, they released a Rega – RP1 Pack – Performance Pack
What Is Upgraded With The Rega – RP1 Pack – Performance Pack
While the RP1 is always a solid turntable with an extremely affordable price, the Rega RP1 performance pack serves to bring out the best possible sound by just upgrading a few keys parts to the turntable.
Drive Belt
The drive belt itself has been upgraded to a thicker belt. The upgraded belt will allow for a higher stability and hence accuracy when it comes to playing the vinyl records. Once you upgrade the drive belt, the change in sound is really noticeable!
Mat
The mat has also been upgraded. Instead of using synthetic materials, it now uses natural wool to reduce vibration as well as increasing the damping so as to allow for a higher stability when it comes to producing music.
How Is The Quality Of Sound Affected
You may wonder on the effect of the upgrade on the RP1 in terms of sound quality. Since the speed, accuracy, as well as stabiity, have all been affected, you can expect a smoother production of sound as well as a deeper, warmer sound that will resonate well throughout the room. The sound is extremely detailed, and you can start to hear individual parts when the orchestral record is on the turntable.
FAQs
Q: Does the Rega RP1 come with a dust cover?
A: No, the Rega RP1 does not come with a dust cover. However, one can be purchased separately.
Q: Can I upgrade the cartridge on the Rega RP1?
A: Yes, the Rega RP1’s cartridge can be upgraded to a higher-end model for even better performance.
Q: Is the Rega RP1 easy to set up?
A: Yes, the Rega RP1 is easy to set up, thanks to its simple design and clear instructions.
Conclusion
All in all, the Rega RP1 is one of the best budget turntables that can pack a huge punch in terms of its sound. To add more power as well as stability to the sound, you should definitely purchase the RP1 performance pack to ensure an awesome listening experience for you and for your guests.
To hear how it sounds, you can listen to the short video clip below.
