Rega Planar 6 Turntable - Polaris Grey - Nd5 Cartridge

A Lightweight Turntable Built Around Electronic Speed Control

The Rega Planar 6 is a 2-speed belt-drive turntable that ships with the Rega Nd5 moving-magnet cartridge factory-fitted on its RB330 tonearm, plus Rega's Neo MK2 power supply included as standard equipment.

The Neo MK2 replaces the usual manual belt-move with a front-panel button for electronic 33⅓/45 rpm switching, and fine speed trims in steps as small as 0.01 rpm. A 16mm dual-layer glass platter and Tancast-8 foam-core plinth keep the whole package light and low in stored vibration.

The Planar 6 is fully manual otherwise, with no built-in phono preamp, and connects to an MM phono input on your amplifier or a separate phono stage rather than a standard line-level input.

Where the Neo MK2 Power Supply Earns Its Keep

Electronic Speed Control, Not a Moved Belt

A front-panel button switches electronically between 33⅓ and 45 rpm, and fine adjustment in 0.01 rpm steps lets you dial in exact speed, something the belt-driven Planar 1 and Planar 2 can't do without lifting the platter.

Each 24-volt motor is hand-matched to its own Neo MK2 supply at the factory, a pairing Rega uses to control motor noise and vibration before it ever reaches the platter.

An Nd5 Cartridge, Factory-Mounted

The Nd5 uses a nude elliptical diamond stylus on an aluminum cantilever, driven by a neodymium magnet in Rega's own generator design, and arrives mounted and aligned on the RB330 tonearm before the turntable ships.

Rega's three-point mounting system holds it precisely in place, removing what's normally the hardest and most fiddly part of getting a brand-new turntable set up correctly right out of the box.

What Reviewers Are Saying

AVForums called the Planar 6 "a startlingly good turntable" that "handles anything you throw at it with real ability and enjoyment," naming it an outright Best Buy.

The Ear's review of the Nd5 cartridge itself found it "faster, tighter and more precisely focused" than Rega's entry-level Nd3, adding that it's "a far more dynamically nuanced or expressive cartridge."

Who Is the Rega Planar 6 Best For?

• You want electronic speed control built in: the included Neo MK2 power supply switches speeds at the touch of a button, with fine adjustment down to 0.01 rpm
• You want a genuine step up in cartridge resolution: the Nd5 arrives factory-mounted and aligned, a real jump from the entry-level Planar 1 and Planar 2 lineup
• You want a widely-praised, award-winning design: AVForums named the Planar 6 an outright Best Buy, and the platform has picked up a What Hi-Fi? Award most years since 2017
• You already have (or plan to add) a phono stage: the Planar 6 has no built-in phono preamp, so it needs an MM phono input on your amp, or a separate Phono preamplifiers
• You want Rega's Nd5 cartridge fitted and aligned — their own moving-magnet design, voiced for this deck

How Does It Connect to Your System?

The attached RCA cable runs from the tonearm to your amplifier's MM phono input, or to a separate phono preamp if your amp doesn't have one built in. Never connect the Planar 6 straight into a standard line-level or AUX input.

During setup, install the counterweight, balance the tonearm, and set tracking force and bias to the recommended 1.75g. The Nd5 arrives already mounted and aligned, and the Neo MK2 connects to the turntable with a single mini-DIN cable.

Pairs Well With

What finishes the system around a Rega Planar 6:

• Phono preamplifiers — required if your amplifier has no built-in MM phono input
• Integrated amplifiers — look for one with a built-in MM phono stage to skip a separate box
• Turntable accessories — mats, levels, and clamps for getting the most from this setup
• Audio racks — a firm, level, vibration-free shelf a turntable actually needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Planar 6 have a built-in phono preamp?

It doesn't. Connect it to an MM phono input, or add a separate moving-magnet phono preamp. It can't connect directly to a standard line-level input on its own.

Is the Nd5 cartridge already installed?

Yes. Rega mounts and aligns it at the factory. You still install the counterweight and set tracking force and bias to 1.75g during setup.

How does the Neo MK2 power supply change speeds?

A front-panel button switches electronically between 33⅓ and 45 rpm, with fine adjustment in steps as small as 0.01 rpm. There's no belt to move by hand.

What's the difference between the Nd5 and Nd7 cartridges?

The Nd5 uses a nude elliptical diamond stylus. The Nd7 uses a finer fine-line diamond that follows smaller groove modulations and retrieves more detail, at a higher price.

Can I fit a different cartridge later?

Yes. The RB330 has adjustable bias and works with other compatible cartridges, though any replacement still needs to be mounted, aligned, and set up correctly.

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Want to learn more about turntable setup, phono preamps, or getting the most from an electronically speed-controlled turntable? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.