Features

Runners-up (in alphabetical order)
Brinkmann Balance turntable & 10.5 tonearm ($14,850; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.28 No.5, May 2005)
Lyra Helikon Mono phono cartridge ($2195; reviewed by Art Dudley, Vol.28 No.6, June 2005 review)
Shelter 901 phono cartridge ($1500; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.28 No.2, February 2005)
T+A G10 turntable ($4750 with Rega tonearm, $6900 with SME tonearm; reviewed by Michael Fremer, Vol.27 No.11 & Vol.28 No.2, November 2004 & February 2005)
Tivoli Audio Pal portable radio ($149.95; reviewed by Sam Tellig, Vol.27 No.12, December 2004)

Vinyl is very much alive and spinning, a fact made crystal clear by our 2005 "Analog Source" winner—the "unambiguously fine" and affordably priced Rega Planar 5, which fills the price gap between Rega's P3 and P9 'tables, providing a solid place to land for those who might be ready to upgrade from the P3 but can't quite reach the P9.

The P5 proved every bit as solid as the hardest rock'n'roll. "The best thing I can say," said Art, "is that the Rega allowed the music to hold my attention from start to finish—a talent that escapes so much 'high-end' gear I could cry." The Rega P5 reminds us again of what this hobby is all about: getting the musical essentials right. For that, we honor it and are honored to have it.