Serious hi-fi system

We're getting into pricier territory here, but the gains are more than worth it

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Six grand is is a lot of money. But consider what you're getting for roughly that here. And by “what you're getting”, we mean the many, many years of joy that that money will give you via these individual bits of kit, working together to bring you the music you love at a quality that simply can't be bettered for the money.

This is a level where performance leaps from good to truly great, all while avoiding the threshold of the outright extravagant.

This system embraces the hands-on joy of vinyl and combines it with the modern convenience of hires streaming. It channels its signals, both analogue and digital, through a remarkably capable integrated stereo amp and a pair of small but mighty standmount speakers. The combination is a wonderfully balanced, articulate and expressive hi-fi package.

Capable and enjoyable

Rega's Planar 6 turntable has been picking up What Hi-Fi? Awards since 2017 - and it continues to offer a terrifically capable and enjoyable performance at this level.

We originally tested the Planar 6 with the Ania moving-coil cartridge, with the package costing £1400. That is still available, but Rega now offers the new Nd5 and Nd7 moving-magnet cartridges, and the Ania Pro (MC), as the standard factory-fitted options for this package. The Nd7 uses the same 'fine-line' nude diamond profile as Rega's high-end moving-coil designs, and this premium moving magnet (£450) is proving to be the most popular pairing and upgrade path for the Planar 6.

What marks this Rega Planar 6 out from its rivals (and as a step up from the Planar 3) is that it doesn't go for immediacy to grab your attention. As we say in our review, “Boldness isn't put to the forefront - instead, its party-piece is the unnerving ability to juggle balance, subtlety and timing in the most understated way. It's a frankly astonishing refined and mature sound.”