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At US$899, this is above the recent used-market 75th percentile of US$828 and US$99 over the US$800 median, so it reads as ambitious rather than a bargain. The unknown condition makes that premium harder to justify; a clean, complete example would be more compelling nearer the market median.
The Aria remains a strong choice for vinyl systems, with genuinely separate MM and MC stages, useful MC loading and gain adjustment, low noise, and an engaging, dynamic presentation. Its ability to accommodate two turntables is a worthwhile bonus. At this price, confirm whether it is the original or newer Mk3 version, check for the power cord and packaging, and insist on a demonstration of both inputs; otherwise, there is enough comparable stock around US$800 to wait.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Rega Research, founded in 1973 in Essex, England, by Roy Gandy and Tony Relph, emerged from Gandy's lifelong passion for vinyl playback. A Ford engineer and music enthusiast, Gandy built his first turntable, the Planet, in his spare time, blending the founders' surnames to create the Rega name. From humble beginnings in a derelict mill, the company quickly gained traction with early models like the Planar 2 and Planar 3, establishing its heritage as a British hi-fi pioneer dedicated to precision engineering and hand-assembly.
Rega specializes in turntables and tonearms, its cornerstone products, but has expanded into a full ecosystem including cartridges, integrated amplifiers like the Elicit and Brio, phono stages such as the Fono, and speakers like the Ela series. While early efforts included loudspeakers and electronics from the 1980s onward, the brand prioritizes vinyl-centric components over headphones, DACs, or cables, all designed in-house for musical fidelity using specialist materials and tight tolerances.
Rega holds a revered position in the high-end hi-fi market as a niche boutique icon, prized by audiophiles for affordable, lifetime-quality performance that emphasizes music over gimmicks. Globally exported to over 50 countries from its Essex facility employing more than 150, it remains a symbol of British ingenuity, with turntables like the Planar series securing enduring loyalty among vinyl revivalists.
See all Rega listings on RADAR.
