Rega Planar 8 Turntable

Rega Planar 8 Turntable

The Rega Planar 8 was engineered to retrieve as much information and detail from the vinyl surface as possible. Rega has used the most technologically 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 a Neo PSU comes as standard which will offer you an electronic speed change. Another neat feature of the Planar 8 is that it also has an advanced anti-vibration control and user-adjustable electronic fine speed adjustment to ensure complete control and accuracy over the motor. The outer frame from the older model, Rega RP8, has been removed and replaced with a new stylish, removable, single-piece dust cover, reducing the overall mass of the turntable. The Rega Planar 8 has the option of coming fitted with the new Nd7 mm cartridge, or any of the 3 moving coil options the Ania MC, Apheta 2 MC cartridge or Apheta 3 MC  By ordering with the turntable you can get any of these at a reduced price making it well worth considering. We are also able to fit a variety of other cartridges if you have another preference. Please see our cartridge list on the below link

Cartridge options 

Key Features

• Ultra-lightweight design
• Triple-layer glass platter 
• 24v Low noise motor 
• Neo MK2 PSU Power Supply 
• High-quality RB880 Tonearm
• New Nd7 MM, Ania MC, Ania Pro MC, Apheta 3 MC factory fitted (optional) 
• Increased rigidity plinth 
  
• Lifetime Warranty against manufacturer defects

Ultra Lightweight Plinth

The Planar 8 is Rega's second turntable to be constructed using their newest ultra-lightweight Tancast 8 polyurethane foam which is essentially a material developed for the aerospace industry. What Rega has done is placed this material between two layers of high-pressure laminate, the perk of using this is that it is very thin and extremely rigid. A bit like the Rega PR10, the Planar 8 has followed those exact footsteps, making it 30% lighter than the previous RP, increasing the overall rigidity of the previous model.

RB880 tonearm

To compensate for such a masterpiece, you will need a pretty solid tonearm; this is where the new RB880 comes into play with an improved vertical bearing assembly constructed using aluminium and stainless steel, low mass assembly with vastly improved stability and rigidity. The RB880 uses Rega's advanced preloaded zero tolerance bearing assembly which can be adjusted to less than 1000th of an mm, this will enable friction-free movement and zero levels of unwanted play. When it comes to the RB880, it comes terminated with a re-designed low capacitance phono cable, which comes standard on the higher end of the Rega turntables and these are also locking phono plugs to ensure the best possible connection.

Hub Bearing Assembly

The new Planar 8 uses a new low-mass central bearing assembly which is processed with a single piece of machined aluminium sub-platter and hardened tool steel spindle that will run inside a custom-made brass housing which is then very cleverly mounted within the chassis of the Planar 8. The whole principle around this newly designed bearing assembly is to completely eradicate unwanted generated energy being transferred or stored in the plinth

Triple Layer Glass Platter

The Planar 8 uses a super flywheel effect three-piece laminated glass platter. The result of a collaboration with a British glass engineering company. This brand-new platter is constructed using pure Pilkington glass pieces of different densities. The platter is designed to be slightly heavier on the far edge, to increase the flywheel effect to achieve a constant rotational speed, without adding too much mass to the overall turntable or adding stress to the motor and bearing. 

Neo PSU

The Planar 8 is powered by Rega's award-winning Neo PSU. The Neo uses the same digital signal processor seen in the RP10 Power Supply, built upon a high-stability crystal. This DSP generator is used to achieve precise and stable power, allowing your turntable platter to rotate at the perfect speed. The Neo PSU is completely unaffected by any changes in mains voltage and conditions, allowing for smooth playback 24/7. The Neo PSU is the ideal power supply for use with this incredible turntable, allowing for the perfect playback of your favourite music.

Who is Rega?

Rega is a specialist hifi manufacturer based in Essex, UK and is renowned for developing and constructing some of the most highly regarded turntables (as well as cartridges and tonearms), electronics and loudspeakers available on the hifi market today. Rega was founded in 1973 and has honed their craft over many years of being a leading brand in every category it puts a product to.