THE legendary Rega Planar 3 (P3) is back! Well, it never really went away… first, back in the 1980s, it was the Planar 3, then the P3, then the RP3… but for 2016, Rega Research isn’t being coy about the “Planar” name anymore…
Two years in development, the Planar 3 2016 is touted as the “biggest redesign of the “three” model ever. Only two components from the previous RP-3 are carried over to the new turntable/tonearm combination.
The RB330 tonearm features a brand new bearing housing, and Rega’s latest tonearm tube that has intelligent redistribution of mass to ensure minimum points of possible resonance. There’s also a new high-precision bearing assembly for extreme stability and almost friction-free movement.
Other features of the arm are a new bias assembly, with integrated arm clip and an improved spring housing with easier to read numbers. Cabling is Rega-made, a low capacitance unit with Neutrik plugs. A new design 100gm mild steel counterweight is also offered.
The plinth is a high-gloss acrylic, laminated affair that is stiffer and with a vastly improved appearance and an ergonomically positioned power switch – finish choices are black and white.
The plinth bracing you see has been trickled down from the costlier units – here, you’ll find an improved thicker 3mm phenolic bottom brace and new metalised skin phenolic top brace.
The re-designed brass main hub central bearing is also new, as is the sub-platter
The new 12mm platter has a “float glass ‘Optiwhite’ polished rim, while the new feet help improve stability and reduce vibration.
The 24V motor has a new control PCB with integration for the addition of the optional TT-PSU (for electronic speed change) – the motor cover includes integrated cooling.
The Planar 3, which ships late March, measures 11.7 x 44.7 x 36cm (h/w/d) and weighs 6kg. We wait eagerly…
