A stiffer, quieter Planar 3 with a brushed-metal plinth, a hand-tuned Neo Mk2 power supply and the Nd5 cartridge fitted at the factory.
The RS ("Rega Special") Edition takes the Planar 3 and upgrades the parts that matter most. The plinth uses a new high-pressure laminate with a dark brushed-aluminum skin, which Rega says makes it the stiffest plinth it has built at this level. Rega's double brace still links the tonearm mount and main bearing. The 24 V low-noise motor is hand tuned to its own Neo Mk2 power supply. That supply gives push-button speed change, fine speed adjustment in 0.01 rpm steps and an anti-vibration motor circuit. A CNC-machined aluminum pulley and the Reference EBLT belt drive the 12 mm glass platter on Rega's brass main bearing. The hand-assembled RB330 arm comes fitted with the Nd5 moving-magnet cartridge, and a smoked dust cover is included.
What Hi-Fi? found the RS Edition cleaner, more detailed and more muscular than the standard Planar 3, with a wider soundstage and a quieter background. It keeps the snappy, rhythmically precise character Rega is known for. An outboard power supply and a better belt are the upgrades reviewers have long recommended for the Planar 3, and here both come in the box. The Nd5 is a moving-magnet cartridge, so any good MM phono stage will do.
| Drive | Belt drive, hand-tuned 24 V low-noise motor, CNC aluminum pulley, Reference EBLT belt |
| Speeds | 33⅓ and 45 rpm, electronic change via Neo Mk2 PSU |
| Power supply | Neo Mk2 (included), 0.01 rpm fine speed steps, 7.2 W |
| Platter | 12 mm glass, polished edge |
| Plinth | HPL laminate with brushed-aluminum skin, double brace |
| Tonearm | Rega RB330 (included), 236.5 mm (9.3") effective length |
| Effective mass | 11 g (low) |
| Cartridge | Rega Nd5 moving magnet, factory fitted |
| Dust cover | Smoked, included |
| Dimensions (W × H × D, lid closed) | 17.6 × 4.6 × 14.2 in (447 × 117 × 360 mm) |
| PSU dimensions | 7.1 × 5.9 × 2.0 in (180 × 150 × 50 mm) |
| Weight | 13.2 lb (6.0 kg) |
Pearl Audio is an authorized Rega dealer. Call or visit our Portland showroom to talk about matching a turntable to your system.
