Rega Planar 8 Turntable with Neo PSU - Black - Apheta 3 Cartridge

The Rega Planar 8 with Apheta 3 cartridge is built for serious vinyl listening. Its lightweight skeletal plinth, RB880 tonearm, Neo MK2 power supply, and factory-fitted moving coil cartridge work together as one complete analog system. Available in Black or White, it delivers clear detail, strong musical energy, and precise tracking.

Inspired by Rega’s Reference Turntable

The Planar 8 was inspired by Rega’s reference Naiad turntable. Its unusual skeletal shape removes material that is not needed. This reduces mass and helps prevent unwanted energy from being stored in the plinth.

The aerospace-developed Tancast 8 foam-core plinth is both light and rigid. Rega’s double-brace system adds strength between the tonearm and central bearing, where added stiffness matters most. The result is clean, open sound with less vibration hiding the music.

Factory-Fitted Apheta 3 Moving Coil Cartridge

This Planar 8 includes the Rega Apheta 3 moving coil cartridge. Rega installs and aligns the cartridge on the RB880 tonearm at the factory, creating a carefully matched record-playing system.

The Apheta 3 uses a Fine Line nude diamond stylus mounted at 90 degrees. Its narrow profile follows small changes in the record groove and retrieves fine musical detail. The cartridge’s low-mass generator uses a hand-wound coil, iron micro-cross assembly, and powerful custom neodymium magnet for fast and accurate response.

Unlike many moving coil cartridges, the Apheta 3 does not use a conventional tie wire or foam damper. Rega’s undamped generator is designed to produce clear high frequencies, firm bass, and natural musical timing without the ringing that can occur in a conventional suspension system.

The generator is housed in a rigid, one-piece CNC-machined aluminum body. This zero-tolerance body keeps the cartridge parts accurately aligned while Rega’s three-point mounting system provides a secure fit on the RB880 tonearm.

The Apheta 3 produces a low output of 350µV and tracks between 1.9 and 2.0 grams. It requires a high-gain moving coil phono preamp or an amplifier with a compatible MC phono input. Rega recommends a 100-ohm input load, 1,000pF capacitance, and a high-gain setting.

RB880 Precision Tonearm

The RB880 tonearm uses a one-piece aluminum arm tube designed to control unwanted resonance. Its hand-matched bearing assembly provides stable, nearly friction-free movement so the Apheta 3 can follow the groove accurately.

A low-capacitance phono cable with locking RCA plugs provides a secure connection to your moving coil phono preamp.

Triple-Layer Glass Platter

The Planar 8 uses an 18mm triple-layer float-glass platter. Extra mass around the outer edge creates a strong flywheel effect for smooth rotation. A low-mass central bearing assembly and Reference EBLT drive belt help maintain stable speed while limiting unwanted noise.

Neo MK2 Power Supply

The included Neo MK2 power supply uses a crystal-controlled DSP generator to send a clean and accurate signal to the 24-volt motor. Electronic controls let you switch between 33⅓ and 45 rpm without moving the belt.

The Neo MK2 also includes electronic fine-speed adjustment and an advanced anti-vibration motor circuit. These features help maintain accurate pitch and reduce motor vibration.

Simple Factory-Matched Setup

The Apheta 3 is installed and aligned at the Rega factory. Place the turntable on a firm, level surface, fit the platter and belt, balance the tonearm, and set the tracking force between 1.9 and 2.0 grams.

Connect the Planar 8 to a compatible moving coil phono preamp. This turntable does not include a built-in phono preamp, and the Apheta 3 should not be connected to a standard moving magnet input.

Is It Right for You?

Choose the Planar 8 with Apheta 3 if you want a high-performance Rega turntable with a factory-matched moving coil cartridge. It is a strong choice for listeners who want greater detail and speed than a typical moving magnet cartridge can provide and already own—or plan to add—a quality MC phono preamp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apheta 3 installed at the factory?

Yes. Rega installs and aligns the Apheta 3 on the RB880 tonearm.

What kind of phono preamp do I need?

You need a high-gain moving coil phono preamp or an amplifier with a compatible MC phono input. Rega recommends a 100-ohm input load.

Can I connect it to a moving magnet phono input?

No. The Apheta 3 has a low 350µV output and requires moving coil gain.

Can the Planar 8 play 45 rpm records?

Yes. The Neo MK2 power supply provides electronic switching between 33⅓ and 45 rpm.

Does it include a dustcover?

Yes. The Black model includes a smoked dustcover, while the White model includes a clear dustcover.

Is the Planar 8 automatic?

No. It is a fully manual turntable.

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