Rega PL10 Turntable - White - Aphelion 2 Cartridge

Rega's Reference Turntable, Paired with Its Finest Cartridge

The Rega PL10 (Planar 10) is Rega's flagship turntable, drawing directly on the no-compromise Naiad reference project. This version ships with the Aphelion 2, Rega's own top-tier moving-coil cartridge, factory-mounted on its hand-built RB3000 tonearm.

An ultra-light skeletal plinth, diamond-cut ceramic platter, and ceramic double-brace system form the core of the design. The included PL10 outboard power supply hand-matches to its own 24-volt motor, with electronic 33⅓/45 rpm switching and fine speed adjustment built in.

The PL10 is fully manual otherwise, with no built-in phono preamp, and the Aphelion 2's low-output moving-coil design needs a compatible high-gain MC phono stage rather than a standard MM input.

Where the Aphelion 2 Cartridge Earns Its Keep

Rega's Finest Cartridge, Factory-Aligned

The Aphelion 2 sits at the top of Rega's cartridge lineup, using the same three-point mounting system as the Apheta 3 but with further refinements the company reserves for its very best moving-coil design.

As a moving-coil design, the Aphelion 2 trades the higher output of a moving-magnet cartridge for lower moving mass and finer tracking detail overall — at the cost of needing a dedicated high-gain MC phono stage to run properly.

An RB3000 Tonearm, Built Without Compromise

The hand-built RB3000 uses preloaded, zero-tolerance bearings adjusted to less than one-thousandth of a millimeter, giving it nearly friction-free movement with no play for the Aphelion 2 to fight against.

Its one-piece aluminum arm tube is hand-polished and assembled with very few mechanical joints and no adhesive, keeping the signal path between cartridge and bearing as stiff and direct as Rega can make it.

What Reviewers Are Saying

SoundStage! Ultra's Jonathan Gorse called the Planar 10/Aphelion 2 pairing "a superb flagship vinyl spinner that competes closely with the very finest at its price point," adding it's "incredibly simple to set up, beautifully made, and aesthetically pleasing."

Who Is the Rega PL10 Best For?

• You want Rega's absolute best cartridge, factory-matched to its best turntable: the Aphelion 2 arrives already mounted and aligned on the RB3000
• You want a genuinely flagship-caliber reviewed pairing: SoundStage! Ultra called the Planar 10/Aphelion 2 combination a superb flagship vinyl spinner that competes with the very finest at its price
• You already have (or plan to add) a high-gain MC phono stage: the Aphelion 2's low-output moving-coil design needs one, since it can't run from a standard MM-only phono input
• You want Rega's most refined chassis engineering: the skeletal plinth, ceramic double-brace, and RB3000 tonearm are the closest production version of what Rega's ultra-high-end Naiad project proved out
• You want Rega's Apheta 3 fitted from new — it arrives aligned on the Planar 8, ready for a moving-coil input

How Does It Connect to Your System?

The attached RCA cable needs a compatible high-gain MC phono preamp to match the Aphelion 2's low-output moving-coil design. Never connect it to a standard MM-only phono input or a line-level input.

The Aphelion 2 arrives already mounted and aligned. Balance the tonearm and set tracking force and bias to Rega's specification during setup, then place the turntable on a firm, level surface.

Pairs Well With

What finishes the system around a Rega PL10:

• Phono preamplifiers — needs high-gain MC support to match the Aphelion 2's low output
• Integrated amplifiers — look for one with a built-in MC-capable phono stage to skip a separate box
• Audio racks — a firm, level, vibration-free shelf a reference turntable actually needs
• Record cleaning machines — a clean groove matters even more once resolution stops being the limiting factor

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Aphelion 2 cartridge already installed?

Yes. Rega mounts and aligns it at the factory. You still balance the tonearm and set tracking force and bias to Rega's specification during setup.

Does the PL10 have a built-in phono preamp?

It doesn't. The Aphelion 2's low-output moving-coil design needs a separate high-gain MC phono preamp, or an amplifier with one built in.

What's the difference between the Aphelion 2 and Apheta 3?

Both are three-point moving-coil cartridges. The Aphelion 2 sits above the Apheta 3 in Rega's lineup, with further refinements aimed at even finer tracking detail.

Can I use a standard MM phono input instead?

Not with the Aphelion 2 installed. Its low-output moving-coil design needs a compatible high-gain MC phono stage rather than a standard MM-only input.

Can it play 45 rpm records?

Yes. The included PL10 power supply provides electronic switching between 33⅓ and 45 rpm, with fine speed adjustment built in.

See It in Action

Russian Neuro Audiophile conducts a full test of the Rega Planar 10:

Audio Advice provides a first look at the Rega Planar 10:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about turntable setup, phono preamps, or getting the most from a moving-coil cartridge? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.