The Ear Praises the New Rega Replay for Its Innovative Design and Engaging Musical Performance
Posted by The Sound Organisation on Oct 29th 2026
Rega's newly introduced Replay turntable has earned an enthusiastic review from The Ear, with reviewer Jason Kennedy praising its innovative engineering, minimalist design, and remarkably engaging sound. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Rega Naiad, the Replay brings elements of the company's most ambitious turntable designs into an accessible, thoughtfully engineered package. Kennedy was particularly impressed by how Rega has incorporated its longstanding design philosophy into the new model, creating a turntable that combines simplicity, performance, and the unmistakable character of Rega's analog engineering.
The Replay's distinctive skeletal-inspired plinth is central to its design, using a minimal amount of material to create a rigid foundation while allowing unwanted vibrations to dissipate quickly. Its 19mm laminated MDF construction, reinforced with melamine surfaces, reflects Rega's commitment to controlling resonance and preserving musical accuracy. The turntable also features the RB110 tonearm, a factory-fitted Carbon moving magnet cartridge, a phenolic resin platter, and a 24V synchronous AC motor. These carefully selected components work together to deliver stable playback and an intuitive user experience. Kennedy highlighted the Replay's straightforward setup and ease of operation, making it an inviting introduction to high-quality vinyl playback.
During his listening sessions, Kennedy discovered a turntable capable of delivering impressive timing, imaging, and tonal balance, with a cohesive presentation that made it easy to become immersed in the music. Playing recordings from Jeff Beck, The Prodigy, and Sarah Siskind, the Replay demonstrated its versatility across a wide range of musical styles. The reviewer praised its muscular bass response, energetic delivery, and ability to communicate the emotion behind a performance. Particularly memorable was the Replay's presentation of Siskind's Naturally, which revealed a newfound emotional connection to the recording. Kennedy noted that the turntable's ability to capture the essence of the music made listening an especially rewarding experience.
"I have to take my hat off to Rega for making it so affordable, for giving regular folks a way into decent analogue sound that doesn’t break the bank. I love the simplicity of the design and the ease of setup and use but more than everything else I love the way it can bring out the musical message in my vinyl records. Like all turntables it sounds better with decent isolation, don’t put it on the sideboard next to your speakers if you want to hear what it can do, but even on a coffee table it delivers results that will tingle your spine. It’s safe to say that those looking to hear what all this vinyl revival is about need look no further." — Jason Kennedy, The Ear
Ultimately, The Ear celebrated the Rega Replay as an impressive achievement that brings the company's sophisticated turntable philosophy to a new generation of vinyl enthusiasts. Kennedy expressed particular admiration for its elegant simplicity, effortless usability, and ability to make familiar recordings feel fresh and emotionally compelling. More than anything, the review emphasized the Replay's ability to communicate the musical message with authenticity and enthusiasm, inspiring listeners to rediscover their record collections. With its distinctive design, thoughtful engineering, and captivating sound, the new Rega Replay makes a compelling introduction to the world of high-fidelity analog listening.