Dual CS 701 vs Rega Planar 3 (original)

Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Dual CS 701 · Rega Planar 3 (original).

Practical differences

Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.

On price alone the Rega Planar 3 (original) costs less, coming in £20 (about 8%) below the Dual CS 701.

The mechanics differ too: the Dual CS 701 is direct-drive, the Rega Planar 3 (original) is belt-drive. The Dual CS 701 gets instant start-up, rock-steady speed under load, and enough torque to nudge or backspin the record — the reason DJs and scratch decks are built this way.

The Dual CS 701 is fully automatic — press start and the arm cues itself and lifts at the end of the side — where the Rega Planar 3 (original) needs you to cue the arm by hand.

Bottom line: £20 separates these reference prices. That difference is factual; this specification comparison does not assign an overall winner.

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