REGA Planar 3 RS Turntable

The Rega Planar 3 RS Edition (Rega Special) is crafted with a new aluminium metal skin HPL laminate, creating the stiffest plinth ever produced at the Planar 3 level. The striking dark brushed metallic finish, accented with high-gloss black edges, provides a stunning foundation for the iconic Planar 3. The RS Edition includes a custom-matched Neo MK2 PSU, with each motor vibration circuit hand-tuned to the individual motor. This low-noise 24v motor drives the sub-platter via the Reference EBLT drive belt, ensuring exceptional speed accuracy. The legendary handmade RB330 tonearm is mounted with the award-winning Nd5 moving magnet cartridge.

Optimising an Icon

Rega has long pioneered the use of lightweight, ultra-rigid plinths, with their particulate core and phenolic resin skin providing the foundation for the exceptional performance of the original Planar range.

The Planar 3 RS Edition takes this innovation further with the use of High Pressure Laminate (HPL), typically reserved for the Planar 6, Planar 8, and Planar 10 models, offering increased rigidity. The stunning brushed dark aluminium HPL skin with a satin finish adds both beauty and strength. Additionally, Rega's double-brace system is strategically placed between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing, creating a structurally solid “stressed beam” assembly.

This complex plinth design minimizes energy absorption and unwanted resonance, which could introduce distortions to the music. By carefully addressing mass absorption and unwanted energy transmission, the Planar 3 RS ensures a pure, distortion-free listening experience.

Nd5 Moving Magnet Cartridge

The Nd5 is meticulously crafted by Rega’s expert technicians, featuring a perfectly elliptical nude diamond stylus. This stylus is created using an elliptical grinding process with polycrystalline man-made diamond, ensuring precise accuracy. The cartridge incorporates a new generator geometry with flawless symmetry for optimal channel balance and includes an optimised pole gap for superior linearity and reduced cross-talk, resulting in a significantly wider soundstage than its predecessors.

Designed with miniaturised parallel coils wound in-house using 38-micron wire and only 1275 turns, the Nd5 boasts a low inductance, low impedance generator that enhances high-frequency response. In line with Rega's commitment to sustainability, the Nd5 is packaged in 100% recyclable materials.

Recently reviewed by Hi-Fi Choice, the Nd5 was praised as a major upgrade over the Elys2 and Exact models, with the review highlighting it as one of the best cartridges available at its price point.

Plinth

Brushed dark aluminium skin over an HPL laminated plinth for enhanced rigidity and performance.

Motor

24V low-noise precision motor with a custom CNC-machined aluminium pulley and PCB assembly for enhanced performance.

Neo MK2 PSU

The Neo MK2 PSU is an advanced power supply that offers fine speed adjustment, an anti-vibration motor circuit, and electronic speed change. It reduces motor noise, enhances speed stability, and improves rotational accuracy.

Double Brace Technology

The Planar 3 RS Edition features a double brace system with a 3mm phenolic bottom brace and metalized skin phenolic top brace. These braces are strategically placed between the tonearm mounting and main hub bearing, creating a robust “stressed beam” assembly that strengthens the plinth. This design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonance, eliminating unnatural distortions in the music. By using braces instead of a full skin, double-thick phenolic resin is applied in critical areas, addressing issues of mass absorption and unwanted energy transfer, resulting in a cleaner, more accurate sound.

Central Bearing

Rega's patented brass main hub central bearing features an improved fit and construction, reducing stress on the bearing for enhanced durability and smoother performance.

Tonearm

The RB330 tonearm is the result of over 40 years of design experience, crafted using advanced 3D CAD & CAM technology. Featuring a newly designed bearing housing and tonearm tube with intelligent mass redistribution, it minimizes resonance points for exceptional stability. With zero play in the bearings and nearly friction-free movement, the high-precision bearing assemblies ensure maximum performance, capturing more detail from your vinyl than ever before.