The History of Rega
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Introduction to Rega Research
Established in 1973 in a small town of Rochford, Rega research is named after the two Relph and Gandy. Rega Research manufactures some of the globally leading hi-fi audio products in its manufacturing facility in Essex (England).
Rega Research is a brainchild of Roy Gandy, who was always attracted to record players right from the early age of 13.
Even before touching the age of 20, Roy Gandy had already started making his own vinyl LP player and his own Hi-fi Audio system. His passion lead to a business collaboration with Tony Relph and thus started Rega.
Today Rega Research is considered to be one of the leading companies around the world in the domain of hi-fi audio products.
With having a leading market share of hi-fi audio products in over 42 countries worldwide. The audiophiles in India couldn’t be happier as they are now able to buy Rega products in India.
Even though Rega Research manufactures more 40 different kinds of products with an entire ecosystem to cater to every hi-fi needs of an audiophile, Rega has become popular primarily due to its Rega turntable.
Other than the Rega Vinyl player, the English firm is known for making the best integrated amplifier for vinyl, which is the Rega Brio amplifier.
What sets Rega Research and Rega products apart from the rest of the products is the fact that there’s a lot of human touch and human element that goes towards the manufacturing and crafting of each product.
Rega Research: Awards and Accolades
So how big is Rega? Rega products are crafted by over 110 passionate skilled Englishmen in a manufacturing plant that spans across 30,000 sqft. This dedication and passion has won more than just the hearts of hi-fi audiophiles.
Rega has been continually winning an increasing number of awards at the annual “What Hi-fi Global Awards” . Last year Rega won 8 awards at the What Hi-fi global awards, and Rega’s top two popular products have been listed in the top 25 products of the year.
These two products are the unbeatable Rega Turntable Rega Planar 3 / Elys 2 and the best integrated amplifier for vinyl, the Rega brio amplifier. The Rega Planar 3 / Elys 2 has been a part of the product of the year since 2011 and has since then been unbeatable.
Rega has come a long way with winning four awards in 2014 to winning eight awards in 2018 at What Hi-fi Global Awards. Three of the top 5 turntables of 2018 were of Rega Research. This has proved Rega’s dominance in the market of vinyl Lp players.
Rega has one of the most sophisticated products manufacturing plant, and this has helped bag them the British manufacturing awards in 2015.
The website of British Manufacturing Awards states that “Winning by a narrow margin, Rega beat out a plethora of competition, from across the manufacturing sector, to take home the accolade. It will now stand as a lasting testament to their high standards of quality, and willingness to show the world that the UK are still a manufacturing force to be reckoned with.”
Rega: History and Milestones
One can say that Rega has been one of the most successful DIY projects. What started as a DIY project of Roy Gandy when he was 18, went on to become a legacy.
Within few months of being established in 1973, Rega's co-founder Tony Relph parted ways and left the entire company in the hands of Roy Gandy.
Roy's still in his early 20's Roy built the right foundations and formed a research-driven approach for the company which today can be attributed as the main factor for Rega's success.
Within two years of the company's launch, Rega launched a new turntable Rega Planar 2. This turntable got them the well-deserved recognition and fame, and within the next two years, Rega Planar 3 was launched which secured Rega's name in the heart of audiophiles looking for quality hi-fi audio products.
Rega slowly and steadily started making a buzz globally for its Turntables. By the 1980s Rega was already flooded by demands that it couldn't meet. They found an old mill in Essex for just £30,000 and turned it into a manufacturing plant that would suffice every need of any hi-fi audiophile.
By the end of the 1980s, Rega realized that an ecosystem needs to be created for the benefit of hi-fi audiophiles. Hence they started making cartridges and tonearms instead of importing it from Japan.
In the first month after launch, Rega's sales exceeded 1000, which was five times more than expected. Consequently, Rega started getting known as more than just Rega turntable manufacturing company.
The next product that added towards completing this ecosystem for Rega hi-fi was a loudspeaker. So by wasting no more time, Rega went on to making Ela Loudspeaker just two years after the success of manufacturing it's own tonearms and cartridges.
Along with the speakers, Rega hi-fi also crafted the first two amplifiers which turned out to be arguably the best integrated amplifier for vinyl. The Elex and Elicit amplifiers helped Rega in building a complete ecosystem of a Rega vinyl player, a stereo amplifier and loudspeakers.
The new set of products created a need for a bigger manufacturing plant. So under Roy Gandy's guidance and design, a new factory was built in 1992. Ensuring further developments and space for reaching new heights.
Rega In India
Rega has always found the highest recall amongst passionate hi-fi enthusiasts worldwide. In India, it's no different. Rega products have been in high demand and have re-entered the Indian market.
Their most popular award-winning Rega products such as Rega Brio amplifier and Rega turntables are available online on The Revolver Club.
Check out our Rega collection
Rega products have slowly seen a rise in demand, especially for its turntables and amplifiers in India in the last three years. This is good for the hi-fi audio community as India has got Rega's attention.
Roy Gandy has assured that they will work on improving the distribution channel in India and make sure more and more of Rega products are made available in India.
Rega Relationship with The Revolver Club
Not so long ago, some team members of The Revolver Club had visited the Rega factory to witness the sheer brilliance that goes into creating Rega products that sell like hotcakes on our online retail store.
Our members also met and spoke to some of the employees and some of the core team members of Rega and found that the folk’s at Rega manufacturing plant are incredibly passionate about the products they craft and take it very seriously.
They believe that genuine hi-fi audio is a serious business and that's why, Rega Research spends maximum time and money into R&D, to keep updating itself and craft products as per the market needs and demands.
Roy Gandy, the brain behind Rega has visited The Revolver Club in January 2019 and has spent some fabulous time exchanging ideas and views on the world of Hi-fi with the enthusiastic team of The Revolver Club.
Roy even carried out an unboxing of a Rega turntable at The Revolver Club in India. You can view the Video On the Revolver Club's Official YouTube Channel or below:
He also spoke to the India based team member of What Hi-fi and gave an in-depth interview which fans of Rega really cherish.
Roy seemed quite pleased that his vision of creating an entire ecosystem of hi-fi Rega products had found takers in such a culturally rich country, like India. What made him happier was the feedback he received from the people who visited The Revolver Club store in Mumbai during his visit.
He was overwhelmed with the minute details he was given in appreciation by the enthusiasts and fans.
We are very pleased to announce The Rega Club - A community for Rega enthusiasts to interact, get updates and spread the #VinylCulture.
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