New Rega Planar 6

How would you describe the differences between the WTL and the Rega?

A friend swapped his LP12 for a WT when they came out. It had a more spacious relaxed sound but I thought it was a step down, musically. It had a misty grey veil over the music and wasn't as dynamic/PRAT as the LP12/Ittok. He was always adjusting the arm and eventually traded it in for something else.

It’s a little early for me  to compare the sound of the WT and Rega since I’ve only had the Rega for one day.  The WT had several issues—all the adjustments could be a good thing if they were done correctly but I really didn’t understand them and know  how.  The tone arm and bearing fluids probably deteriorate over time and should be drained and replaced.  Taking the WT for service or cartridge replacement alway ended up with spilled fluid.  There was no lever to lift the tonearm, something  I appreciate on the Rega.  The Planar 6 for $1500 seems very well made but much simpler and more user friendly than the WT.  More about the most important thing-the sound- when I’ve listened more.  

Fluid "sloshing around"? Are you sure you have the right stuff in the bearing well? The WT damping fluid is a thick silicon goo, which resembles molasses or honey. It doesn't "slosh", it oozes. You can turn the cup sideways and not have the silicon run out. It HAS to be that thick to be able to perform it's task.

Fluid "sloshing around"? Are you sure you have the right stuff in the bearing well? The WT damping fluid is a thick silicon goo, which resembles molasses or honey. It doesn’t "slosh", it oozes. You can turn the cup sideways and not have the silicon run out. It HAS to be that thick to be able to perform it’s task.

He didn’t say "sloshed" he said spilled. I have setup half a dozen or so WTT and the fluid is indeed a pain. Yes, it is thicker and would seem to stay in place, but it gets everywhere if you’re not careful and the cleanup is messy.

Not one of my favorite tables nor arms. Sound quality is pretty good when setup correctly. Actually the table isn’t bad, but that arm.

The new Rega Planar 6 is SWEET!  I've recommended and setup several of these.  IMHO, one of the nicest tables around for that price.

@mofimadness +1

I've seen the spilled silicone of some friends' WTTs never really clean off.  Interesting, and in fact, unique product.  But not the rig for me.

Also strongly agree on the Planar 6

I had a Rega RP-6 and now have a WT Amadeus Mk.ll. While I agree with a lot of what the OP said how the two compared in operation, the WT is a much better sounding table. I still think the P-6 is a cool table for the money. You can't go wrong in purchasing one. IMO.

Just to clarify— the Rega P6 was replaced recently by the Planar 6.  The Planar 6 has multiple improvements including a better tonearm, platter, “plinth” and power supply. Before the upgrade, the less expensive Planar 3, which came out a while ago, actually had a better tonearm than the next step up in the Rega line (which was the P6). Now the Planar 3 and 6 have the same tonearm. A little confusing.   My new turntable is the upgraded Planar 6.  

Just to clarify— the Rega P6 was replaced recently by the Planar 6.  The Planar 6 has multiple improvements including a better tonearm, platter, “plinth” and power supply. Before the upgrade, the less expensive Planar 3, which came out a while ago, actually had a better tonearm than the next step up in the Rega line (which was the P6). Now the Planar 3 and 6 have the same tonearm. A little confusing.   My new turntable is the upgraded Planar 6.   

You beat me to it.  The older RP (ARE-PEE) 6 and the new PLANAR (PLAY-NER) 6 are pretty different.  I told Roy Gandy many years ago how confusing the models number were, but oh well.

Not sure if you knew, but the company's name was formed of the initials of its two founders (Tony RElph & Roy GAndy).  Little trivia there.

I know the differences between the RP-6 and the Planar 6. But I would be willing to bet both units would still have a similar Rega TT signature sound between them.

But I would be willing to bet both units would still have a similar Rega TT signature sound between them.

Yes, they do have that Rega "house" sound. Just like a lot of high-end audio gear. It’s voiced to that designer’s preferences, (good or bad, right or wrong) it's their interpretation.

However, since you can adjust the speed on the new P6, couldn't you "tune" that house sound in or out? Reviews on past Rega's indicated that some of that sound was from Rega's slightly higher rpm speed.

Having auditioned both generations, the current P6 now separates itself from the P3, and in my opinion, more than justifies the cost differential.  The previous generation RP6 seemed more like a upgraded RP3, and I questioned the additional cost

My dealer originally recommended the Planar 3 as the one to get.  However, if you factor in the cost of the Planar 3 and the $400 extra power supply (which is not included), it comes to only $100-200 less than the Planar 6, which includes the power supply (a better version) and many other improvements.  The Planar 6 seemed like a no brainer to me. I pointed this out and the dealer agreed. 

Then it sounds like the Planar 6 is the way to go for you. Enjoy!

You might want to check this thread at a Rega owners site: discussion of build quality and plinth 'sagging':
Rega Planar 6 plinth sagging
I'm a longtime Rega owner, fwiw.

Thanks. Very Interesting.  This problem has not occurred with my Planar 6.  Fortunately, Rega turntables come with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, as you my know, so hopefully the guy who encountered the sagging problem was able to get it fixed. 

Responding to the earlier posting on this board by Mofimadness, I agree with what you told Roy Gandy.  To compound the confusion, the new Planar 6 has “P6” on the plinth and the cover of the manual, even though the P6 (or RP6) is the older model it replaces.  When I saw this, I was concerned at first that I had been given the old model (but it’s all good). 

@etnier discussion of build quality and plinth ’sagging’

Hmmm...folks here have also called the RP8 out for sagging, so this very well may represent a design defect ala this foam material core. While it certainly expresses Rega’s philosophy of low-mass, I personally hold concerns about this material over the long-term.

Considering a new table, and both the RP8 and Technics SL1200GR have my attention, along with one or two others. But the foam core comes off as strange to me. Still, the table’s been in production for several years, and based on not hearing about it en masse, perhaps the issues have been fewer in number?