Every CD player I've ever own since 1986 has failed. It is an unfortunate fact of life, whether it is a drawer or laser failure, they all do.
Also, unlike a turntable cartridge, when the transport fails many times it can't be replaced.
I have found that a CD player's transport will last longer than a universal transport. In some cases much longer. However, before high rez, downloads the only way to listen to commercial high rez was with a transport. Thank god those days are gone. I went through 3 universal players over that time. Thus the reason I would never buy an expensive player. I buy a reasonably priced player as a transport and use my DAC to process the bits!
Right now I'm using the Oppo 103 because it seconds as a great server, for which I have 4TB of music on. I'm so done with spinners!!!!!! Although, I still have about 3 to 4000 CDs, I seldom listen to them.
That being said. Since the Rega is a top loader and mechanical in nature, you have by passed one source of future frustration. I owned the original Planet, when it came out. I liked the unit but found it to be a bit soft and ill defined when compared to a Meridian 506.20 I owned, which was my favorite stand alone CD player.
So, my recommendation, if you use a DAC, is to buy a player that can double as a server. I know it sounds like a pain, but then rip all your CD's to a hard drive, so that you can move into the future. It really isn't that difficult to do and in the end you'll be happier.
Depending on your age, e.g. under 80, this is something you are going to be doing anyway, so why not start today and be done with it.
Also, unlike a turntable cartridge, when the transport fails many times it can't be replaced.
I have found that a CD player's transport will last longer than a universal transport. In some cases much longer. However, before high rez, downloads the only way to listen to commercial high rez was with a transport. Thank god those days are gone. I went through 3 universal players over that time. Thus the reason I would never buy an expensive player. I buy a reasonably priced player as a transport and use my DAC to process the bits!
Right now I'm using the Oppo 103 because it seconds as a great server, for which I have 4TB of music on. I'm so done with spinners!!!!!! Although, I still have about 3 to 4000 CDs, I seldom listen to them.
That being said. Since the Rega is a top loader and mechanical in nature, you have by passed one source of future frustration. I owned the original Planet, when it came out. I liked the unit but found it to be a bit soft and ill defined when compared to a Meridian 506.20 I owned, which was my favorite stand alone CD player.
So, my recommendation, if you use a DAC, is to buy a player that can double as a server. I know it sounds like a pain, but then rip all your CD's to a hard drive, so that you can move into the future. It really isn't that difficult to do and in the end you'll be happier.
Depending on your age, e.g. under 80, this is something you are going to be doing anyway, so why not start today and be done with it.