Roy Gandy’s Rega Legacy: Music First, Always
Posted by The Sound Organisation on Jan 5th 2026
When we talk about the soul of British hi-fi, few names ring louder than Roy Gandy, the co-founder of Rega Research. Since 1973, Gandy’s approach to audio has been rooted not in gear worship, but in a deep, unwavering love of music. That clarity of purpose has driven Rega to decades of success—first with the iconic Planar 3, and later with a lineup of award-winning electronics like the Brio, Fono, and Elex. These aren’t just components; they’re expressions of Gandy’s mission: to make truly musical hi-fi accessible and honest.
Gandy’s engineering philosophy is refreshingly grounded. Rega products have always prioritized musical experience over flashy features, choosing simplicity, value, and soul over gimmicks. You can see it in the minimalism of the original Planet turntable, or in the way every Rega amp just seems to sing when it hits your speakers. But what makes Gandy a legend isn’t just the gear—it's his humility and commitment to community.
In 2024, that commitment was on full display when Gandy gifted 100% of his shares in Rega to the company’s employees, turning the business into an Employee Ownership Trust. It was a gesture not just of gratitude, but of belief—in the people who built Rega, in the culture he spent 50 years cultivating, and in the future of music-first audio.
For all this and more, Roy Gandy earned What Hi-Fi?’s Outstanding Contribution Award for 2025, and it couldn’t be more deserved. Rega is more than a brand—it’s a legacy of thoughtful design, rooted in passion, and still spinning strong. Here's to the man who made turntables happen.