We confess we now have taken a slight detour with this turntable set-up. If funds are tight you possibly can deliver the general system value all the way down to lower than £1000 by changing the audio system with their 12.1 standmount siblings – though you’d nonetheless have to funds for stands to position them on, after all. And we don’t typically embody floorstanders in our methods, so this appears a splendid alternative.
We didn’t have any pause for thought concerning the different two items of electronics on this set-up, although. The Rega pairing right here is quite a no brainer at this kind of cash; and the household ties lend a beautiful synergy that may solely enhance the sound the duo gives.
The system
Turntable: Rega Planar 1 (£299 / $345 / AU$649)
Built-in amplifier: Rega io (£420 / $725 / AU$949 )
Floorstanding audio system: Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 (£499 / $998 / AU$1275)
Complete: £1218 / $2413 / AU$2873
Turntable: Rega Planar 1

Common readers will probably be not the slightest bit shocked to see the Planar 1 taking part in the lead function on this turntable system. It has gained a What Hi-Fi? Best Buy Award for the previous seven years, in any case, and we love its fast-paced, assured musical presentation. It’s actually not ‘entry-level’ in any phrases – different, fortunately, than value.
It brings an lively, stable sound that doesn’t make the error of erring too far through the extreme heat that lots of its close to rivals appear to stray into. That you may have an excessive amount of of these fabled analogue ‘strengths’ turns into clear with a direct comparability between the Planar 1 and the opposition.
Timing can be a energy of this Rega, and with that precision comes a capability with dynamics that feels means above its pay-grade. It’s easy, with this deck, to differentiate whether or not a guitar string has been brushed or plucked, or with how a lot drive a piano key has been struck. It’s a remarkably spectacular, assured efficiency.
Built-in amplifier: Rega io

As we touched on above, Rega’s Planar 1 turntable is splendidly complemented by the partnering Rega io integrated amplifier that sits between the report participant and the loudspeakers. You possibly can’t ask for far more than rhythmic, agile, punchy, detailed and enjoyable – all phrases we use to explain the sound offered by this little half-sized amp in our full evaluate.
All of that, after all, performs into the fingers of its turntable sibling. However it’s the sense of momentum that the amp imparts that basically units this pairing aside. Taking part in hand in hand with the Planar 1’s dynamic potential, it brings a really outstanding musical efficiency for the cash.
Floorstanding audio system: Wharfedale Diamond 12.3

Which brings us to these loudspeakers. The Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 actually punch above their weight so far as affordable floorstanders go – which is why we now have taken the plunge with them right here.
They share system area with the Rega pairing as a result of they too are terrifically achieved for the cash. Most significantly, they’ve a musical efficiency that, if something, impresses us much more than that delivered by the lauded Diamond 12.1 standmounters.
These aren’t big audio system for floorstanders – they stand round 98cm tall. As with most audio system they want only a little bit of area round them to carry out at their greatest. We put them 90cm from the rear wall, though you ought to be high-quality as shut as 50cm out. Don’t stick them proper on the aspect of the room both; place them about 70cm away from the sidewalls if you wish to maximise stereo imaging, sonic stability and readability.
After you have experimented with placement (and do have a play – it could actually make all of the distinction) it is possible for you to to understand the great layered sound that the Diamond 12.3 can present.
They’re detailed, but additionally organised and managed – traits that imply these audio system carry out noticeably higher at decrease volumes than shut rivals; it’s a tough trick to drag off.
As we are saying in our evaluate of the floorstanders: “As we transfer to Kate Bush’s Hounds Of Love, we respect the 12.3’s articulate and expressive midrange and the seamless integration between the drive models. We like how Wharfedale has averted extra; there’s sufficient bass weight to fulfill however not a lot that it spoils the stability of the presentation.”
Verdict
All of which marries so properly with the Rega pairing that we’re tempted to take again our issues about together with floorstanders on this set-up. Regardless of, on the face of it, the added value (however don’t overlook the necessity to funds for helps with standmounters) we are able to’t assist however really feel the additional money has paid off in sonic dividends. This trio makes for a stellar set-up
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