TL;DR: The Rega Planar 3 is one of the finest turntables at its price point, and the Planar 6 is a meaningful step up in plinth construction, motor control, and overall resolution. Whether the upgrade is worth it depends on your system, your listening habits, and how much you want to get out of your vinyl. This guide covers both honestly so you can decide for yourself.

If you own a Rega Planar 3 and are thinking about upgrading to the Planar 6, or you are considering buying a Planar 3 but wondering whether to stretch your budget to the Planar 6, you are asking the right question. Both turntables share the same engineering DNA, the same design philosophy, and the same obsessive approach to rigidity and low mass. But they are not the same turntable, and the differences are more meaningful than a casual glance suggests.

We have plenty of experience with both turntables and can demo them at our Lincolnshire showroom, and we have helped a lot of customers navigate exactly this decision. Here is our honest take.

What They Have in Common

Before we get into the differences, it is worth understanding what both decks share, because it explains why Rega's approach works so well across the range.

Both the Planar 3 and the Planar 6 are built around the same core philosophy: lightweight, rigid plinth construction that minimises the transmission of unwanted energy into the record. Both use double brace technology, reinforcing the plinth specifically between the tonearm mount and the main hub bearing where it matters most. Both use a 24V low-noise motor, Rega's RB330 precision tonearm, and a float glass platter. Both are made in Essex, England, by hand, and both come with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.

That shared foundation means the gap between them is not as dramatic as the price difference might suggest. But the gap is real, and it is audible.

How the Planar 6 Differs

The key upgrades in the Planar 6 come down to three things: the plinth material, the platter, and the power supply.

The plinth on the Planar 6 uses Tancast 8 polyurethane foam, a material originally developed for the aerospace industry, sandwiched between layers of HPL (high pressure laminate). The Planar 3's plinth uses an acrylic laminated construction, which is very good, but the Tancast 8 foam core is measurably stiffer and lighter. Less mass, less resonance, more of the music.

The platter on the Planar 6 is a dual-layer float glass design, 16mm thick, compared to the Planar 3's single-layer 10mm float glass platter. The added mass and rigidity of the dual-layer platter gives a more stable rotational platform, which contributes to the Planar 6's tighter timing and improved bass definition.

The Neo MK2 PSU is supplied as standard with the Planar 6, while on the Planar 3 it is an optional add-on purchased separately. The Neo MK2 uses DSP-generated motor control for almost immeasurably precise speed stability, and it eliminates a significant amount of motor noise from the signal path. If you run a Planar 3 without the Neo, the gap between the two decks is larger than it might otherwise be.

The Planar 3 Range at Expressive Audio

Rega Planar 3 Turntable

The standard Planar 3, available with Nd3 or Nd5 cartridge options, or without a cartridge for those who prefer to choose their own.

• Acrylic laminated plinth with double brace technology
• RB330 precision tonearm, handmade at Rega's Essex factory
• 10mm float glass Optiwhite platter with aluminium sub-platter
• Compatible with the Rega Neo MK2 PSU (sold separately)
• Available in three high gloss finishes plus light oak effect (new for 2024)

Good for: Anyone taking a serious step into vinyl for the first time, or upgrading from an entry-level deck. It is a genuinely accomplished turntable that outperforms most of what is available at its price.

Rega Planar 3 RS Edition

The RS Edition is a special edition of the Planar 3 that takes the plinth construction up to HPL laminate level, usually reserved for the Planar 6 and above, and packages it with the Neo MK2 PSU and the Nd5 cartridge as standard. It was launched in 2025 and represents an interesting alternative for buyers deciding between the standard Planar 3 and the Planar 6.

• Aluminium metal skin HPL laminate plinth, the stiffest Planar 3 plinth Rega have produced
• Dark brushed metallic finish with high-gloss black edging
• Neo MK2 PSU included as standard, with each motor vibration circuit hand-tuned to its individual motor
• Reference EBLT drive belt for improved speed accuracy
• Factory-fitted Nd5 moving magnet cartridge, handmade at Rega's factory

Good for: Buyers who want Planar 6-level plinth rigidity and a complete package without stepping up to the full Planar 6 price. The RS Edition sits in an interesting position between the two decks and is well worth considering if the standard Planar 6 is slightly out of reach.

The Planar 6 Range at Expressive Audio

Rega Planar 6 Turntable

The standard Planar 6 without a cartridge, for buyers who have a specific cartridge in mind or are transferring one from a previous deck.

• Tancast 8 foam core plinth with HPL laminate and double brace
• RB330 precision tonearm
• 16mm dual-layer float glass platter with aluminium sub-platter
• Neo MK2 PSU included as standard
• Available in Polaris grey or white

Good for: Upgraders with an existing cartridge, or anyone who wants to choose their cartridge separately.

Rega Planar 6 with Nd5 (Factory-Fitted)

The Planar 6 platform with Rega's Nd5 moving magnet cartridge factory-fitted and aligned.

• All standard Planar 6 features included
• Nd5: perfect elliptical nude diamond stylus, Neodymium magnet technology
• Factory alignment means it is ready to play straight out of the box
• Package pricing offers a saving versus buying separately

Good for: First-time Planar 6 buyers who want a complete, play-ready package at the most accessible entry price for this deck.

Rega Planar 6 with Nd7 (Factory-Fitted, Most Popular)

Our most recommended Planar 6 configuration. The Nd7 uses the same fine-line nude diamond stylus profile found in Rega's high-end moving coil cartridges, and it is the pairing that most clearly demonstrates what the Planar 6 platform is capable of.

• All standard Planar 6 features included
• Nd7: fine-line nude diamond stylus for exceptional detail retrieval
• Designed specifically for the Planar 6 and Planar 8 tonearms
• What Hi-Fi? rated this combination as class-leading at its price point

Good for: Anyone who wants to hear everything the Planar 6 can do from day one, without moving to a moving coil cartridge.

Rega Planar 6 RS Edition

The flagship Planar 6 variant, launched in 2026, borrowing the RB880 tonearm and twin-belt drive system from the Planar 8.

• RB880 precision tonearm (normally found on the Planar 8)
• Factory-fitted Nd9 moving magnet cartridge, Rega's top-of-range MM
• CNC-machined twin drive pulley with two Reference EBLT belts
• Brushed aluminium skin over Tancast 8 plinth for added rigidity
• Smoked dustcover, custom stainless-steel balance weight, Neo MK2 PSU

Good for: The serious enthusiast who wants Planar 8-level hardware in a deck with a traditional dustcover, or who wants the absolute best the Planar 6 platform can offer.

Please note: the majority of Rega products at Expressive Audio, including the Planar 3 and Planar 6, are available for click-and-collect from our Lincolnshire showroom or local delivery only, due to our dealer agreement with Rega. Call us on 01507 499047 to arrange a visit or demonstration.

So, Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Here is the honest answer: it depends on what you are upgrading from and what you are pairing with.

If you are running a Planar 3 without the Neo PSU, adding the Neo is the single most cost-effective improvement you can make before thinking about a deck upgrade. It meaningfully closes the gap between the two turntables.

If you are running a Planar 3 with the Neo PSU and a decent cartridge, the jump to the Planar 6 is audible and worthwhile. The Tancast 8 plinth and the dual-layer platter produce a tighter, more controlled sound with better bass definition and a slightly darker, more composed background. It is not a dramatic transformation, but it is a consistent, genuine improvement that becomes more apparent over longer listening sessions.

If you are considering the Planar 3 RS Edition, it is worth knowing that it shares the HPL plinth laminate of the Planar 6. The gap between the RS Edition and the standard Planar 6 is smaller than the gap between the standard Planar 3 and the Planar 6. If budget is a consideration, the RS Edition is a genuinely compelling middle ground.

Conclusion

The Rega Planar 3 is an excellent turntable and there is no shame in staying with it, particularly if it is well set up with a good cartridge and the Neo PSU. But the Planar 6 is a better turntable, and if your system is resolving enough to hear the difference, it is a worthwhile investment.

If you are unsure which is right for you, the most useful thing you can do is come and listen. We can arrange a demonstration of both turntables at our Lincolnshire showroom at Manor Farm Yard, Highgate Lane, Moorby Boston, PE22 7PN. Call us on 01507 499047 or pop in, and we will let the decks do the talking.