Rega Apollo-R

[southall-1998]

I'm thinking about, on possibly getting an Apollo-R later in the year.

To the Rega CD spinner lovers on here, with the experience of course!

Have some of you compared the Apollo-R, to it's grandfather Planet CD Player? (The clamshell version). When it comes to sound quality. Does the Apollo-R share some similar traits to the Planet?

S.

[walpurgis]

Try a Meridian 506/20 or 506/24 Shane. You'd like one.

[southall-1998]

Try a Meridian 506/20 or 506/24 Shane. You'd like one.

This thread is strictly about the Rega Apollo-R, Geoff. Not Meridian CD spinners, you cheeky ole sod :lol:

S.

[walpurgis]

Cheeky young git! ;)

[BTH K10A]

The meridians are good sounding machines but I would plump for a Pioneer PD-D9-J

[petrat]

To answer the question :rolleyes: ....

I've had the current Apollo R, and thought it excellent value, especially second-hand. It has the Rega 'house sound', which is rythmic, slightly warm and relentlessly musical, supposedly having an 'analogue' style of presentation. It is not forensically detailed, but the R is supposed to be better in that respect than the earlier Brio and Planet models. Plenty of dealers around ... go and listen to one, perhaps on the end of a good amp and speakers so you can hear what it is capable of? The only reason I can think it may not suit someone is if they like to hear every last detail on their CDs. OTOH, I found it fun and entertaining. The more pricey Regas give you both worlds ... I've never once contemplated selling my Isis from the moment I got it.

[Reffc]

I've owned both the Planet and Apollo-R CDPs. I still have an Apollo-R. It is in a different league to the Planet which sounds dull by comparison. In fact the Apollo-R is a match for many players, old and new, costing up to 3 or even 4 times the price and only bettered much by by the higher end Rega spinners which is no surprise as it shares it's basic DAC circuit with one of the stand alone rega DACs. I did have an issue with mine failing to read CDs but it was sent back to Rega who mended it under warranty and had it back to me within a week (hows that for service?) and have had no issues with it since. As someone once said about Mr Kipling and cakes, so Rega do make exceedingly good CD players. My problem with just about all CDPs is that they are disposable commodities, and eventually will fail. The latest crop mostly use SMD technology and transports may become obsolete down the line (unlike turntables which remain serviceable even after 40 years or more), so I see little point in spending more than on an Apollo-R when any improvements seem largely for diminishing returns.

[hifi_dave]

Rega Apollo-r is a lovely player. It sees off a lot of much more expensive players.

[southall-1998]

Thanks guys!

S.