Description
PLANAR 8 WITH Nd9 CARTRIDGE
The Planar 8 was inspired by the ultimate Rega turntable, the ‘Naiad’. We decided early on that instead of an evolution of the previous RP8, the new Planar 8 was to be developed and engineered to encapsulate the essence of ‘Naiad’ at an affordable price. Our aim was to deliver a level of performance far beyond what has been achieved at this price point before.
Engineering masterclass
Every aspect of the Planar 8 is engineered to extract as much detail from the vinyl surface as possible. We have used the most advanced materials and engineering solutions built around a supremely lightweight plinth to ensure the greatest level of performance. The Planar 8 is supplied with the new RB880 tonearm and Neo PSU as standard which offers electronic speed change, advanced anti-vibration control and user adjustable electronic fine speed adjustment to ensure total accuracy and control over the motor. The outer frame of the previous model has now been removed and a new stylish, removable, single piece dustcover has been introduced further reducing the overall mass of the turntable.
KEY FEATURES
- RB880 precision tonearm
- Apheta 3 factory fitted
- Superfly wheel effect triple layer glass platter
- Double brace technology
- Tancast 8 foam core plinth
- Custom matched Neo psu
- Reference EBLT drive belt fitted as standard
- Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects
ULTRA LIGHTWEIGHT PLINTH
The Planar 8 is the second Rega turntable constructed using our latest ultra-lightweight Tancast 8 polyurethane foam core (a material developed for the aerospace industry). This material is sandwiched between two layers of HPL (high-pressure laminate).
HPL is exceptionally thin and extremely rigid. This new construction makes the new Planar 8 skeletal plinth 30% lighter than the original RP8 while offering increased rigidity over the previous model.
DOUBLE BRACE TECHNOLOGY
A super lightweight plinth combined with a phenolic resin double brace mounted specifically where the increased rigidity is required (between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing) forms a structurally sound “stressed beam” assembly. This rigid plinth design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonances 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.
RB880 TONEARM
For the new RB880 we have introduced an improved vertical bearing assembly constructed using an aluminum and stainless-steel, low mass assembly with vastly improved stability and rigidity.
This tonearm is using our advanced preloaded zero tolerance bearing assembly adjusted to less than 1000th of a mm, this gives friction-free movement and zero levels of unwanted play. This subtle but effective new structure is only visible via small windows at the rear of the new bias housing
assembly.
A thinner stainless steel balance weight is used, allowing greater adjustability and compatibility. Finally, the RB880 is terminated with a re-designed, low capacitance phono cable terminated with high quality, locking phono plugs to ensure the best possible connection.
EBLT DRIVE BELTS
For three years Rega has been researching and developing with chemists the use of a bespoke new rubber compound for drive belts. Using a specialized curing system, the new drive belt offers superior consistency of modulus (a constant representing the degree to which a substance has a particular property, especially elasticity).
These new belts are manufactured on Rega designed, state of the art, super-accurate tools which produce ‘perfectly round’ and ‘dimensionally accurate’ belts, critical for perfect speed stability.
HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY
The Planar 8 uses a new low mass central bearing assembly. A single piece machined aluminum sub-platter and hardened tool steel spindle run inside a custom brass housing which is cleverly mounted within the chassis. This new mounting is designed to eradicate unwanted potential energy being transferred or stored in the plinth.
SUPER FLYWHEEL EFFECT TRIPLE LAYER GLASS PLATTER
The Planar 8 uses a three-piece laminated glass platter
which is the result of collaboration with a British glass engineering company.
This brand new platter is constructed from two different high-quality
Pilkington glasses.
As a general rule, the only part of a turntable that requires
extra mass is the turntable platter in order to achieve constant rotational
speed. However, a heavier platter creates more problems for the main bearing
design so again an ideal compromise creates the best solution.
Practically this means keeping as much of the mass to the
outside rim of the glass platter to create more flywheel effect but keeping the
inside of the platter as light as possible without sacrificing stiffness.
24 V LOW NOISE MOTOR ASSEMBLY
The Planar 8 uses Rega’s latest generation, 24 V,
synchronous, low vibration motor technology. Uniquely mounted using the highest
level of coupling while retaining higher vibration isolation than any previous
model.
This new motor mounting technique (mounted from the bottom)
has been taken directly from the ultimate Rega turntable, the Naiad.
This unique mounting method removes all stress on the motor
body. The reduced vibration and more rigid mounting delivers superior drive
from the new EBLT drive belts. Each motor is hand-tuned to match its own custom
Neo power supply before fitting to the turntable to optimize the anti-vibration
circuit.
NEO PSU
The Neo PSU offers a smooth power supply, an advanced
anti-vibration circuit and fine electronic speed adjustment. It uses the RP10
DSP (digital signal processing) generator built upon a high stability crystal.
The DSP generator will divide the accurate signal from the
crystal to the exact frequency required to turn the platter at the selected
speed. The DSP generator will also produce a near-perfect sinusoidal waveform
to drive the motor. This, along with an efficient drive amplifier, generates a
24 V, AC balanced signal of less than 0.15% distortion, which is completely
unaffected by any changes in the mains/line voltage and conditions. This then
drives the turntable’s anti-vibration circuit, which is situated beneath the
turntable.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Selectable Speed
33 1/3 rpm, 45 rpm
Planar 8 Turntable Dimensions (with dustcover fitted) (W
x H x D)
420 x 125 x 315 mm
Neo PSU Dimensions (W x H x D)
180 x 50 x 155 mm
Turntable Weight
4.2 kg
Neo PSU Weight
0.6 kg
Nd9
The Nd9 cartridge draws on decades of expertise in cartridge engineering and cantilever design to deliver the highest-performing moving magnet cartridge we have ever produced. Our design team has introduced a Boron rod cantilever with a Fine Line stylus profile based on the reference Aphelion 2 moving-coil cartridge for use in the Nd9. The Boron cantilever offers exceptional stiffness and low mass, enabling ultra-fast response and outstanding playback accuracy. The Nd9 is also available as a factory-fitted option on the Planar 8 turntable.
A master of detail
Each Nd9 is meticulously hand-made by our highly skilled technicians. The Nd9 uses our most advanced “fine line” nude diamond profile, bonded to a Boron rod cantilever for maximum musical detail retrieval. This profile has an exceptionally small radii Monocrystalline manmade diamond with the minor radius being just 3µm (microns) as viewed from the top and 30µm in the vertical when viewed from the front. This profile allows immediate adjustment to very small changes in the vinyl due to the small contact area of the diamond which results in exceptional levels of detail being retrieved. The design uses brand new generator geometry with perfect symmetry to achieve highly accurate channel balance.
The Nd9 also has an optimized 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 miniaturized parallel coils which are wound in house utilizing 38-micron wire with just 1275 turns. This produces a low inductance, low impedance generator giving vastly improved high frequency response. In keeping with our commitment to sustainability, the Nd range is supplied in 100% recyclable packaging.
Key Features
- Fine Line nude diamond profile
- Boron cantilever
- Neodymium magnet
- Unique generator
- Rega 3 point mounting system
- Highly rigid PPS body
- Handmade stereo cartridge
- 100% recyclable packaging
- Available factory fitted on the Planar 8 turntable.
- Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects
Nd Magnet technology
Often used in Moving Coil designs (including our own) our Nd range are the first moving magnets to utilize 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.
Boron Cantilever & stylus profile
The Nd9 boron cantilever is fitted with a precision perfect fine line nude diamond stylus. This combination provides the ultimate in tracking accuracy and extracts greater levels of detail from the vinyl surface. The challenge we faced with the Nd9 was connecting the Nd magnet to a solid Boron rod. This was achieved by working with a famous watch maker to manufacture an ultra-fine connecting tube with different diameters at each end. Boron is exceptionally light which allows for faster reaction to the changes in record surface and is highly rigid for its mass. A more rigid cantilever bends less so it transmits motion more accurately with less distortion.
Factory Fitted option
The Nd9 cartridge will be offered as a factory fitted option on the multi award winning Planar 8 turntable model. The factory fitted package is offered at a discounted rate compared to when purchased separately, ask your Rega dealer for details.
Glass filled PPS body
The complete assembly is housed in our zero tolerance Injection molded 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 our hugely successful MC range.
Rega rebuild scheme
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. If you should damage or wear out your Rega cartridge, simply return it to you Rega dealer and they will supply you with a rebuild cartridge fitted with a new cantilever, stylus and pivot pad. Each rebuild is fully tested as a new cartridge would be. The rebuild is sold at a reduced price once you trade in your worn or damaged cartridge that is equivalent to a replacement stylus offered by other manufacturers.
Technical Specifications
Nominal Output Voltage
5-6mV
Stylus
Fine Line nude diamond profile
Cantilever
Boron
Fixing
3 point fixing (for Rega tonearms only)
Coils
Miniaturized parallel coils
Window Color
Amber
Tracking Pressure
1.75g
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