This is a plug-and-play variation on the Rega Planar 1 and 2. The Planar 2 RB-220 arm is very nice. The Planar 1 platter (plastic) isn't. The Goldring E3 cartridge is probably better than the Rega Carbon, but is it better than the Rega ND3? I don't know. Built-in phono preamps tend to be very limiting. So, some compromises are made in the interest of plug-and-play. This turntable would be far more appealing if it had a better (glass) platter, but then it would compete with the Rega Planar 2. [I own a Planar 2, FWIW.]
Goldring GR3 Turntable
We love Goldring for their top-tier phono cartridges, the Ethos SE moving coil (MC) cartridge and E4 moving magnet (MM) cart being but two relatively recent introductions of note. Today, we’re even more chuffed (to use some British parlance) to see the company announce the GR3, their first new turntable in more than 20 years.
Developed in conjunction with a “renowned British hi-fi manufacturer” (their words), the GR3 table is pre-fitted and pre-adjusted with a violet Goldring E3 MM cartridge. A built-in phono preamp is said to allow “seamless compatibility” with “any” amp or powered speaker. Goldring adds that the GR3 can be paired with gear from one of their sister companies, Q Acoustics, such as the M20 and/or M40 powered stereo speakers (and note that Q Acoustics speakers appear in some of the photos seen below) — though, of course, you can pair the table with whatever speakers you wish. Additionally, the GR3 comes with a choice of high-quality interconnects from another Goldring sister brand, QED — either a 1.5m phono-to-phono cable, or a 3m-phono-to-3.5mm cable.
The GR3’s platter, made of phenolic resin, is designed to “maximize” the flywheel effect. The plinth sports a high-gloss black finish with Goldring gold branding, while the tonearm boasts a stiff, lightweight aluminium cantilever and elliptical stylus. The GR3 table also comes with a dual magnet generator, 24V low noise/low vibration motor, and perspex dust cover.
Other specs for the GR3 include phono preamp RIAA accuracy given as 100Hz to 20kHz ±0.4dB (“typically better than” ±0.25dB), cartridge mass as 6.9g, fixing centers as 12.7mm (0.5in), playing weight as 1.5-2.5g (with 2.0g recommended), elliptical stylus radius as 0.3 x 0.7mil, frequency range as 20Hz to 20kHz, channel balance as 1.5dB at 1kHz, channel separation as >20dB at 1kHz, sensitivity as 3.5mV (1kHz @ 5cm/sec), static compliance as 20 mm/N, vertical tracking angle as 20°, load resistance as 47kΩ, load capacitance as 100-200pF, internal inductance as 400mH, and internal resistance as 410Ω.
The dimensions of the GR3 are 450 x 120 x 360mm (w/h/d, with the lid closed), and its weight is 5.5kg (unpacked).
Finally, the SRP for the Goldring GR3 turntable is £699 in the UK, and €899 in Europe. When the GR3 table hits the U.S. market in December 2024, its domestic SRP will be $999.
For more about Goldring, go here if you’re in the U.S., or go here if you’re in the UK.
To find an authorized Goldring dealer, go here if you’re in the U.S., or go here if you’re in the UK..
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