Rega Planar 3 Turntable Oak with Nd5 Cartridge

The Rega team have worked tirelessly for 2 years to develop and improve every aspect of the new Planar 3 offering improved ergonomics, usability and first and foremost, sonic performance. The new Planar 3 is truly a new turntable carrying over just two components from the previous model.

Rega Planar 3 Turntable Oak with Nd5 Cartridge

Replacing the multi award winning What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year (RP3) was never going to be an easy task. It took our team of designers headed up by Rega’s Roy Gandy, two years to develop the all new ‘Planar 3’ following the biggest re-design of the iconic ‘Three’ model ever seen. The ‘Planar 3’ is a completely new turntable carrying over just two components from the previous RP model. 

The iconic Planar 3

Rega has pioneered the use of lightweight rigid plinths. Clever use of lightweight particulate core with a highly rigid phenolic resin skin became the foundations of the high level of performance achieved by the now iconic original Planar range.

The new Planar 3 takes this design philosophy to the next level. A lightweight acrylic laminated plinth strengthened using a new improved double brace system mounted specifically where the increased rigidity is required (between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing) which forms a structurally sound “stressed beam” assembly. This rigid plinth design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonance, which will add unnatural distortions to the music. Equally, heavier mass can transfer more unwanted energy, such as motor or bearing noise directly into the rotating record. The use of braces instead of the complete skin allows double thickness phenolic resin in these key areas while providing further weight reduction to the plinth which directly addresses the issue of mass absorption and unwanted energy transmission.

Key Features

• What Hi-Fi? Product of the year 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021. 2024
• RB330 precision tonearm
• Rega Nd5 MM cartridge factory fitted
• Double brace technology
• 24 V low noise, low vibration motor
• 12 mm float glass opti-white polished platter
• Supplied with clear dust cover as standard.
• Weight 6kg
• Compatible with Rega Neo turntable power supply (sold separately)
• Three high gloss plinth options and light oak effect (New for 2024)
• Advanced EBLT drive belt fitted as standard from March 2021
• Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects

User Manual

The iconic Planar 3

Rega has pioneered the use of lightweight rigid plinths. Clever use of lightweight particulate core with a highly rigid phenolic resin skin became the foundations of the high level of performance achieved by the now iconic original Planar range.

The new Planar 3 takes this design philosophy to the next level. A lightweight acrylic laminated plinth strengthened using a new improved double brace system mounted specifically where the increased rigidity is required (between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing) which forms a structurally sound “stressed beam” assembly. This rigid plinth design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonance, which will add unnatural distortions to the music. Equally, heavier mass can transfer more unwanted energy, such as motor or bearing noise directly into the rotating record. The use of braces instead of the complete skin allows double thickness phenolic resin in these key areas while providing further weight reduction to the plinth which directly addresses the issue of mass absorption and unwanted energy transmission.

RB330 

The RB330 tonearm was designed using the latest 3D CAD & CAM technology, and is the culmination of more than 35 years of tonearm design experience. Featuring a brand new bearing housing, and our latest tonearm tube designed using intelligent redistribution of mass ensure this arm will exhibit fewer points of possible resonance. Extreme stability with almost friction free movement from the new high precision bearing assemblies guarantees to gather more information from your vinyl than ever before.

Plinth

High gloss acrylic, laminated plinth, stiffer and vastly improved appearance, ergonomically positioned power switch. Available in three stunning high gloss finishes, black, white and red and new for 2024 Light oak effect.

Double brace Technology

Improved thicker 3 mm phenolic bottom brace and new metalised skin phenolic top brace.

Bearing housing

Re-designed brass main hub central bearing, improved fit and construction reducing stress on the bearing itself.

Rega Nd5 Neodymium Moving Magnet Cartridge

The all new Nd5 moving magnet cartridge was developed over 10 years and promises to deliver ‘next level’ performance from moving magnet technology. Rega believes the Nd range (patent pending) is a world first to use ultra-high powered Neodymium magnets which allow Rega to create this totally unique design.

Key Features:

• Perfect elliptical nude diamond profile stylus
• Aluminium cantilever
• Neodymium magnet
• Unique generator
• Rega 3 point mounting system
• Highly rigid lightweight PPS body
• Handmade stereo cartridge
• 100% recyclable packaging
• Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects

Specification Sheet (PDF, 125KB)

Advanced Technology

Each Nd5 is meticulously hand-made by Rega's highly skilled technicians. The design uses brand new generator geometry with perfect symmetry to achieve accurate channel balance. The Nd5 also has an optimised pole gap for superior linearity and cross talk characteristics, this provides a far wider soundstage than the previous models. This new cartridge is created with miniaturised parallel coils which are wound in house utilising 38-micron wire with just 1275 turns. This produces a low inductance, low impedance generator giving vastly improved high frequency response.

Nd Magnet Technology

Often used in Moving Coil designs, Rega believe the Nd5 is the first moving magnet to utilise a Neodymium (Nd) N55 magnet. This is the world’s most powerful commercially available magnet and is a crucial component that makes this unique design possible by delivering extra power than standard bar magnet designs.

Glass Filled PPS Body

The complete assembly is housed in a zero tolerance Injection moulded glass filled polyphenylene sulphide body (PPS) which is a lightweight and highly rigid material. A low mass body reduces stress on the tonearm bearings and aids free movement which is critical in accurate vinyl replay. This new body design was inspired by Rega's hugely successful MC range.

Cantilever & Stylus Profile

The Nd5 aluminium cantilever is fitted with a precision perfect elliptical nude diamond stylus. This profile provides exceptional tracking accuracy and extracts greater levels of detail from the vinyl surface.

The unique pivot pad design of Rega cartridges improves performance by eliminating the mechanical joint between the stylus housing and the main body. This vastly improves tracking ability and stability of the stylus.