Rega Apheta 3 MC Moving-Coil Phono Cartridge

Description

Apheta 3 moving coil

For more than 15 years Rega has been perfecting its unique
designs of moving coil cartridges.

We have pioneered undamped micro mass generation systems coupled with
high integrity jointless bodies. In recent times we have achieved new levels of
power from rare earth magnets. This 15 year evolution using the latest
technological manufacturing process and recognised laws (Flemings) bought us
the hugely successful Apheta 2.

With the Apheta 3 we have
pushed another boundary, for several years we have been developing
state of the the art diamond profiles of a “Fine Line “design mounted
through 90 degrees (the same technique used in our Aphelion reference
model) this work has resulted in Apheta 3 extracting even more detail from the
record groove which of course translates into more music.   

Apheta 3 features a super high-powered, neodymium
magnet and a coil meticulously hand wound on an iron cross that
is fifty percent smaller than the MK1 model. This weight reduction allows
us greater freedom to track the vinyl groove.

The Apheta 3 is housed within a completely
redesigned, single piece, aluminium anodised body and
protected by a CAD designed, smoked rigid cover to protect the
internal fine wires, making handling whilst fitting, safe and risk free.

The Apheta 3 is the perfect partner for the latest Planar
8 and Planar 10 turntables. The Apheta 3 can be supplied factory
fitted at a discounted package rate. Please ask your retailer for details.

A unique design.

Rega’s Moving Coil cartridge design is unique in its
approach to achieving an ultra-low mass generator which is undamped (no tie
wire) using a unique rhomboid pivot for the cantilever powered by a purpose
designed, exclusive to Rega, Neodymium magnet system. This type of
design requires a zero-tolerance engineered cartridge body which is Rega’s area
of expertise and with the Apheta 3 these bodies are machined from one
piece of the highest quality aluminium. This is a difficult and expensive
process requiring all of Rega’s years of experience to achieve. In particular,
the “zero” tolerancing of the body is required in the alignment and
dimension of the pivot pad mounting hole and the magnet mechanism mounting hole
relationship.

Conventional MC cartridges utilize a steel suspension system
(tie wire) which creates a high amplitude H.F. resonance (normally around
8-12kHz). Such resonance is unacceptable and is usually damped by a rudimentary
piece of foam rubber. However, the foam rubber deteriorates with age and cannot
prevent the complete structure from vibrating and “ringing”.The
specifics and adjustment of the tie wire and damping determine whether the
cartridge is under damped (bright) or over damped (warm and bass heavy).

A happy medium is rarely achieved.This encouraged Rega to pursue a new
direction inspired by modern materials and the basic laws of magnetism.
The Apheta 3 contains neither a tie wire nor a foam damper.
Moving coil aficionados will all recognise the long search for super clear,
high frequency combined with firm, tight bass, characteristics all Rega moving
coils exhibit.

Tracking Pressure 1.9 – 2.00g

Input load impedance 100 ohms

Output impedance 10 ohms

Nominal output voltage 350μV

Channel Balance : ≥ 20μV

Separation : ≥ -29dB

Mass 6g

Key Features :

Iron cross & coil assembly 50% smaller than the
original Apheta .

One of the world’s smallest MC generators.

Cutting edge neodymium magnet.

Fine Line profile nude diamond stylus.

High specification fine wire.

Load settings for adjustable MC stages

Impedance -100ohm

Capacitance – 1000pF

Gain setting – High (‘On’ position for Rega phono stages)