Special order from supplier
SKU
87360

Rega Planar 8 Neo Turntable With Ania MC Cart - Black

£2,330.00

Instead of an evolving the RP8, The Planar 8 was inspired by the ultimate Rega turntable, the 'Naiad'. 

This is a Click & Collect item available from our Northampton store, Contact us for an ETA

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.

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.

The Planar 8 is available without cartridge or with the recommended  Ania or Apheta 2*  MC cartridges factory fitted at an attractive, discounted package price.

Please Note: The new smaller footprint of the Planar 8 will not fit on the old Rega turntable wall bracket. We have developed a new lightweight custom Planar 8 wall bracket for this model.

*All images shown include the Apheta 2 MC

 

Key Features:

 

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.

 

DB Technology (Double Brace Technology) “Mass absorbs energy - lost energy equals lost music”!

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 aluminium 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 (see image below). 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.

 

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.

 

24v Low noise motor assembly

The Planar 8 uses Rega's latest generation, 24v, 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 optomise the anti-vibration circuit.

 

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 specialised 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.

 

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 24V, 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.

 

 

Essential Information

  • This turntable is supplied with an Ania MC Cartridge
  • A Tonearm Spacer is required to fit non-Rega cartridges to this turntable
  • This item is covered by a 1 year warranty
  • This is a Click & Collect item available from our Northampton store, Contact us for an ETA

 

Industry Awards:

  • Hi-Fi Choice / Editors Choice
  • What Hi-Fi? 5 Star Review
  • AV Tech Media Awards
  • ear best buy
More Information
Guarantee (months) 12
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

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   Frequently Asked Questions and Answers


  • Can modern record players play 78rpm records?

    Unless it explicitly states in the product specifications most turntables do not play 78rpm records. Some manufacturers offer modification kits but what is needed varies from model to model. Contact us with your turntable model number for personalised advice.

  • Why is my record playing at the wrong pitch?

    Pitch is controlled by the speed of the turntable so it's likely that you have this set wrong. Some turntable have a button for speed control, others require manually changing by moving the belt position on the pulley. You may need to lift the platter on some models to access the pulley wheels.

  • Where can I buy replacement Styli & Belts?

    We have a selection of styli, belts, spare parts & upgrades available in our turntable accessories & spares store here If the part you require isn't listed please let us know via our Contact Us page & we will do our best to find the part you require.

  • Can I plug a turntable into my Sonos System?

    A turntable can be connected to a Sonos Play:5, Five, Connect or Connect Amp provided it either has a built in Phono PreAmplifier or you have an external Phono Pre-Amplifier connected in line between the Turntable & the Sonos component. Please Contact us if you require additional help with this option.

  • What is the difference between moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) turntable cartridges?

    In a Moving Magnet cartridge, the canteleiver (the arm) has 2 magnets attached inside the stylus body, 1 for the left channel & 1 for the right channel. These move according to the groove of the record & induce an electrical signal into the coils inside the cartridge body. This signal is then amplified by a phono pre-amp, either built into you amplifier or an external unit, to reach audible levels. In a Moving Magnet cartridge it is possible to replace the stylus once the original has worn. Most manufacturers will make a selection of styli of differing grades to fit the same cartridge. A Moving Coil cartridge is manufactured in opposite arrangement to Moving Magnet. The coils are attached to the canteleiver while the magnets are fitted inside the cartridge. It is generally accepted that Moving Coil cartridges are superior in sound quality to Moving Magnet cartridges, the compromise is that Moving Coil cartridges are significantly more expensive than Moving Magnet cartridges, & also that it is not possible to replace the stylus once worn, necessitating the purchase of a complete new cartridge.

  • Can the stylus be replaced on all cartridges?

    No. Styli can usually be replaced on Moving Magnet (MM) type cartridges but it is not possible to change the stylus on Moving Coil (MC) Cartridges

  • Can I fit an alternative cartridge if my stylus is no longer available?

    In most cases your turntable will have a 1/2" headshell mount, this can be identified by two small bolts running through your headshell to the cartridge. This is by far the most common type of connection with most new cartridges conforming to this standard. Other not so common but replaceable connections are a bayonet fitting, where the cartridge plugs directly into your tonearm via a bayonet, & a P4 connection, where your cartidge plugs directly into your tonearm by four pins. Fittings that are not replaceable include slide connectors such as those used by Dual & single screw connections, as used on very old turntables.

  • What cables do I need for my system

    This will vary greatly depending on what equipment you are buying. Drop in store or Contact us for personalised advice.

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