IF there’s only one new turntable you could buy this year, what would it be? A great number of vinyl enthusiasts would probably opt for the Rega Planar 3 50th Anniversary Edition, available only for 2023. Rega’s Planar TTs (starting with the “3” and “2”) have been around since almost the dawn of time, and the “3” for a good bit of the era to achieve iconic status. This 2023 iteration is possibly the most organic-looking “3” for a while, thanks to the “walnut-effect” plinth which sports a custom aluminium badge.
Rega has been a pioneer in the use of lightweight rigid plinths and the one here has a “particulate core with a highly rigid phenolic resin skin.” On the plinth are two braces, one each on top and under. According to Rega, these braces are “mounted specifically where the increased rigidity is required between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing” to form a structurally sound stressed beam assembly.
“This rigid plinth design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonance that 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.”
Mounted on the plinth is the acclaimed RB330 tonearm, “designed using the latest 3D CAD and CAM technology and the culmination of more than 35 years of tonearm design experience.”
“Featuring a brand-new bearing housing, and our latest tonearm tube designed using intelligent redistribution of mass ensures this arm will exhibit fewer points of possible resonance. Extreme stability with almost friction-free movement from the new high precision bearing assemblies guarantees to gather more information from your vinyl than ever before.”
The 50th Anniversary Edition Planar 3 also features a 24V low noise low voltage precision motor and PCB assembly, custom CNC-machined aluminium pulley, and a Rega-designed patented brass main hub central bearing with improved fit and construction to reduce stress on the bearing itself.
Included in the package is the Neo MK2 PSU, Rega’s advanced turntable power supply with user controllable fine speed adjustment, an advanced anti-vibration motor circuit and the convenience of electronic speed change.
The 50th Anniversary Edition model is also factory-fitted with the Exact MM cartridge, Reference EBLT drive belt and smoked dust cover.
Getting yours soon? Just half a year to go…
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P.T
B90/UK