Rega Planar 3 RS Belt-Drive Turntable with Nd5 MM Cartridge

Rega Planar 3 RS Belt-Drive Turntable Key Features: 

• Brushed metal dark aluminum HPL laminated plinth
• RB330 Precision tonearm
• Nd5 MM cartridge factory fitted
• Neo turntable PSU MK2 included (speed control + anti vibration circuit)
• 24 V low noise, low vibration motor, hand tuned to the custom Neo PSU Mk2
• CNC machined custom pulley
• Reference EBLT drive belt fitted as standard
• Double brace technology
• 12 mm float glass opti-white polished platter
• Supplied with a smoked dust cover as standard.
• Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects

Product Description: 

The Rega Planar 3 RS Edition (Rega Special) showcases a cutting-edge design with a newly engineered aluminum metal skin HPL laminate, delivering the stiffest plinth ever developed at the Planar 3 level. Featuring a sleek dark brushed metallic finish accented by high-gloss black edges, the plinth serves as a visually striking foundation for this iconic turntable. 

This RS Edition is equipped with a custom-calibrated Neo MK2 PSU, where each motor vibration circuit is meticulously hand-tuned to its specific motor, ensuring exceptional performance. Its low-noise 24v motor powers the sub-platter using Rega's Reference EBLT drive belt, providing unparalleled precision in speed control. Completing the setup, the renowned handmade RB330 tonearm is paired with the award-winning Nd5 moving magnet cartridge, delivering outstanding audio fidelity.

Optimizing an Icon

Rega’s longstanding innovation in lightweight, ultra-rigid plinths has set a benchmark in turntable performance. The incorporation of a lightweight particulate core with a rigid phenolic resin skin became the hallmark of the original Planar range, delivering exceptional audio quality.

The Planar 3 RS Edition elevates this design philosophy further by incorporating High Pressure Laminate (HPL), a feature typically reserved for Rega's higher-tier models such as the Planar 6, Planar 8, and Planar 10. This advanced HPL includes a dark aluminum brushed metal surface with a sophisticated satin finish, offering both enhanced rigidity and aesthetic appeal. 

The plinth also integrates a double brace system strategically positioned between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing. This creates a "stressed beam" assembly that reinforces structural integrity. The advanced design minimizes energy absorption and eliminates unwanted resonance, avoiding distortions that can compromise sound quality. By addressing mass absorption and energy transmission, the double braces—featuring thicker phenolic resin—ensure that motor or bearing noise is effectively isolated, allowing for a purer listening experience.

Nd5 Moving Magnet Cartridge

The Nd5 cartridge is expertly crafted by Rega’s highly skilled technicians, ensuring precision and quality at every step. Its stylus features a perfectly shaped elliptical nude diamond, achieved through an advanced grinding process using polycrystalline manmade diamond for exceptional accuracy. 

The cartridge's innovative generator design incorporates brand-new geometry with perfect symmetry, delivering precise channel balance. An optimized pole gap enhances linearity and cross-talk characteristics, resulting in a significantly wider soundstage compared to previous models. 

At the core of the Nd5 is a state-of-the-art generator with miniaturized parallel coils, meticulously wound in-house with 38-micron wire and 1,275 turns. This design achieves low inductance and low impedance, dramatically improving high-frequency response for superior audio performance. Reflecting Rega's dedication to sustainability, the Nd range comes in 100% recyclable packaging, combining cutting-edge technology with eco-friendly practices.

Plinth

Brushed dark aluminum skinned HPL laminated plinth for improved rigidity.

Motor

24 V low noise low voltage precision motor and PCB assembly, fitted with a custom CNC machined aluminum pulley.

Neo Mk2 PSU

The Neo MK2 PSU is an advanced turntable power supply providing user controllable fine speed adjustment, an advanced anti-vibration motor circuit and the convenience of electronic speed change. The Neo MK2 reduces motor noise, improves speed stability and rotational speed accuracy.

Double Brace Technology

The Planar 3 RS Edition features a robust plinth construction enhanced by Rega’s innovative double brace system. This system includes a 3 mm phenolic bottom brace and a metallized skin phenolic top brace, strategically positioned between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing. Together, they create a structurally sound "stressed beam" assembly, ensuring superior rigidity where it is most needed.

This advanced design minimizes energy absorption and eliminates unwanted resonance that could introduce distortions to the audio. Unlike heavier mass designs that can transfer motor or bearing noise directly to the record, the use of braces allows for double-thickness phenolic resin in critical areas. This effectively addresses the challenges of mass absorption and unwanted energy transmission, delivering a cleaner and more accurate sound experience.

Central Bearing

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

Tonearm

The RB330 tonearm represents over 40 years of Rega’s expertise in tonearm design, crafted with the latest 3D CAD and CAM technology. This advanced tonearm features a newly engineered bearing housing and tonearm tube, optimized through intelligent mass redistribution to minimize potential resonance points. 

With its high-precision bearing assemblies, the RB330 delivers exceptional stability, zero play in the bearings, and nearly friction-free movement. These enhancements enable the tonearm to extract an unprecedented level of detail from vinyl records, ensuring a truly immersive listening experience.

Specifications: 

Warranty Information:

Warranty - Lifetime Limited Warranty

Documents: 

User Manual