PLANAR 8
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.
Please note: The Planar 8 will now ship with new look NEO MK2 power supply as standard.
*New matt white finish available from April 2023 – The white Planar 8 is supplied with a clear dustcover and clear triple layer float glass platter.
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.
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.
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.
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, keeping as much of the mass to the outside rim to create more flywheel effect while keeping the inside of the platter as light as possible without sacrificing stiffness.
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.
Hub Bearing Assembly
The Planar 8 uses a new low mass central bearing assembly. A single piece machined aluminium 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.
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 optimise 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.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Selectable Speed: 33 1/3 rpm, 45 rpm
- Planar 8 Turntable Dimensions (with dustcover fitted): 420 x 125 x 315 mm (W x H x D)
- Neo PSU Dimensions: 180 x 50 x 155 mm (W x H x D)
- Turntable Weight: 4.2 kg
- Neo PSU Weight: 0.6 kg
COMPLEMENTARY COMPONENTS
Planar 8/10/Naia Wall Bracket
Wall Bracket
• Ultra-lightweight laser cut 2mm folded aluminium
• Designed for skeletal turntables
• Available in black or white
• Adjustable for use on uneven walls
• Provides complete isolation
Ania
Ania
• Unique PPS ultra-rigid body
• Hand-wound micro coil
• Elliptical profile stylus
• Aluminium cantilever
• Rega three point mounting system
Apheta 3
Apheta 3
• ‘Fine line’ profile, nude diamond stylus
• Aluminium cantilever
• Super high-powered, neodymium magnet
• Hand-wound micro coil
• Rega three point mounting system
Aphelion 2 Ref
Aphelion 2
• Graded zero tolerance black anodised aluminium body
• Boron rod cantilever
• ‘Fine line’ profile, nude diamond stylus
• Iron micro cross and coil assembly
• World’s most powerful minaturised neodymium magnet
Aria MK3 MM/MC
Aria MK3
• Compatible with moving magnet and moving coil cartridges
• Fully adjustable MC stage
• Half width custom designed case
Aura MC Ref
Aura MC
• Compatible with all typical low output moving coil cartridges
• Three stage, all symmetrical pre-amplifier
• Fully adjustable
Aethos
Aethos
• 125 W per channel into 8 Ω
• 5 line inputs
• Headphone socket
• Direct input
• Pre-amp out
Atlas MK2
Atlas MK2
• Reliable and accurate measurement
• 0.5g – 10g tracking range
• Durable aluminium casework
• Improved stability
Strobe Kit
Strobe Kit
• Designed to evaluate the speed of any turntable
• Perfect partner for the speed adjustable Rega Neo PSU
• Supplied with pre-installed 9 V battery