We’ve always been big on analogue so when it was recently announced that the New Zealand Rega agency had moved to one of our best partners – Denco Audio – it made sense for us to look again at the brand. Having been around the audio industry for so long, I used to sell the original Rega models. But that was then and this is now. While some of the models still look very much like those produced decades ago, there has been a huge amount of development and refinement.
Today’s Rega turntables are vastly improved and as the range has expanded, they deliver options from entry level to high end that will open both your eyes and ears.
As an illustration of what Rega are about, let’s look at the newest version of the Rega Planar 3 – the ‘RS’
The first thing to understand is that the RS is a complete record playing system – turntable, tonearm, cartridge and power supply are all carefully matched and combined to deliver an exceptional level of performance and certainty. The package pricing hammers home the value advantage. Even with our 30+ years of expertise, it’s a big ask to compete with this. But it’s precisely this experience that allows us to better explain how Rega can do what they do so well.
The original Rega 3 is justifiably seen as an analogue icon; the float glass platter, elegant slim plinth and revolutionary RB-300 tonearm set a benchmark in the 1980s that somehow survived the onslaught of CDs and the subsequent drought in vinyl. Most Rega turntables of this era are still happily playing away for their first owners and are still sought after in the second hand market. The minimalist design has proved inherently reliable.
Yet that early version was a product of the times. Since then both competition from digital and advances in materials and technology have driven real progress. So while todays Rega 3 RS looks like the original Rega 3 at first glance, there’s a whole lot more going on.
Rega has pioneered the use of lightweight, ultra rigid plinths over many years. The new Planar 3 RS Edition takes this design philosophy to the next level using a High Pressure Laminate, previously found in much more costly models. This is then covered in a brushed metal dark aluminium skin with a beautiful satin finish. Which is then further enhanced by the double brace system mounted specifically where the increased rigidity is required (between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing) which forms a structurally sound “stressed beam” assembly.
The importance of the plinth design cannot be understated – it literally holds all the pieces of the turntable together and allows them to work as a unified whole.
The bearing, platter, RB 330 tonearm and motor have all been subject to development since introduction and each contribute.
There are two further enhancements to the RS version over the standard Rega 3; the power supply and cartridge.
The Neo PSU MK2 delivers a cleaner more stable 24v power supply to the motor than the standard ‘wall wart’ and adds the refinement of electric speed change. Added to this the actual motor is hand tuned to the Neo PSU and features a new CNC machined custom pulley.
Last but not least is the new Rega Nd5 cartridge which is factory fitted. In the past we’ve fitted a lot of Nagaoka and Dynavector cartridges to Rega turntables simply because their own cartridges weren’t that inspiring. The new Nd series cartridges challenge this assumption and by including the better Nd5 rather than entry level Nd3, Rega have pushed the RS performance even further.
We know a lot about turntables and the Rega Planar 3 RS is a seriously good sounding system by anyone’s standards. Others agree –
The package
As we have said at the start, the Planar 3 RS is a record playing system. Through the previous distributor the standard Rega Planar 3 turntable (without the HPL plinth) was $1975. To separately add to that the new Nd5 cartridge and Neo PSU MK2 power supply the total quickly hits $3300.
Which makes our price of NZ$2500 including GST and delivery for the better RS system rather more attractive. The new RS edition is limited in availability so do call on us directly if you’d like one – it really is one of the very best analogue packages going and will deliver a lifetime of vinyl playing pleasure!
Matching
The minimalist design combined with high performance encapsulated within the Rega Planar 3 RS closely parallels the approach taken by NuPrime with their electronics. And within the NuPrime range, two components stand out as obvious matches to make the most of the Rega as a source.
Both the IA-9x integrated amplifier and PRA-9x balanced analogue preamplifier have high quality inbuilt MM phono stages which ensure optimum compatibility with the Nd5 cartridge fitted to the RS. With adjustable input capacitance and impedance there’s ample of scope to further fine tune performance.
Like the RS, the NuPrime IA-9x is, for most people, all you will ever need. The IA-9x is considerably more powerful than the compact size suggests. Conservatively rated at 90 watts per channel, it’s secret is the Class A/D hybrid design which allows it to run cool and thus needs no visible heat sinking. The sound of the NuPrime enhances the Rega’s immediacy while providing a fluid and relaxed analogue rendition by virtue of the Class A preamp stage, the unique ODC circuit design and the ability to fine tune the signature sound via a front panel switch. The IA-9x has an eerily low noise floor allowing even the finest and most subtle details to come through from the Rega.
The PRA-9x is the next step up for more ambitious systems – being a preamplifier you can match it with one or more power amplifiers. The most obvious choice being NuPrime’s matching STA-9x which gives you the option of 130 watts stereo or a bridged mono pair for over 300 watts! The PRA-9x has an identical phono stage to the IA-9X and they share many design elements. But where they diverge is the much higher gain of the PRA-9X and the full balanced circuitry. In short, the PRA-9x gives you both higher performance and flexibility.
Both NuPrime models come in at around same price as the Planer 3 RS. Like the RS system they are something special – ‘beyond ordinary’ in NuPrime’s own words, so while Rega also make some very competent amplifiers, we will always go looking for that something extra.
It should also be noted that the PRA-9x can be considered an excellent phono stage in it’s own right before even considering it’s extra inputs and headphone amplifier. This is because of the sonic strengths of it’s preamp section are far beyond that of most stand alone phono stages. The advent of new higher quality moving magnet and high output moving coil cartridges such as Rega’s own Nd series, the Nagaoka JT models and the just released Dynavector DV-10XA highlight the qualities of the NuPrime PRA-9x as a phono stage. We have plenty of experience with other specialist brands in this area so this recommendation is based on serious listening.
Want to know more?
These Rega and NuPrime components are a great introduction to what we do but there’s plenty more to learn. Our main Analogue page is a good starting point where you can find information of the Well Tempered range – these turntables take a radically different approach to Rega but the end goal is the same – simply to allow you to enjoy records more. The Dynavector and Nagoaka cartridges deserve special mention as they deliver great upgrades to all turntables.
And the Rega Website itself is hugely informative – their range of both turntables and components is substantial and there’s a lot to take in. As you have read, there’s new Rega distribution in New Zealand and many of the latest components have just landed or are not too far away – we’ll be featuring some of these over the next few months…