Audio T Verdict
The Rega RB330 is a precision, hand-assembled tonearm developed for the Planar 3 and Planar 6 turntables, but it can also provide a worthwhile replacement or upgrade for compatible older Rega decks.
Its one-piece aluminium arm tube, rigid bearing housing and carefully selected low-friction bearings provide the stable mechanical platform required for a cartridge to follow the record groove accurately.
Adjustable tracking force and bias make the RB330 suitable for a broad range of compatible moving magnet and moving-coil cartridges. A fixed Rega low-capacitance phono cable with Neutrik RCA plugs is fitted as standard.
Direct installation is straightforward on compatible Rega turntables already using the three-point arm mounting. Older decks and turntables from other manufacturers may require drilling, careful measurement and professional installation.
Rega RB330 Precision Tonearm
The Rega RB330 is a hand-assembled tonearm combining more than 35 years of Rega design experience with modern 3D CAD and CAM development.
It uses a low-mass aluminium arm tube, redesigned vertical bearing housing, precision horizontal and vertical bearings, adjustable bias mechanism and a 100 g mild-steel balance weight.
The RB330 is fitted as standard to the
Rega Planar 3
and the
Rega Planar 6
.
One-Piece Aluminium Arm Tube
The arm tube and headshell form a continuous aluminium structure, reducing the number of mechanical joints between the cartridge and bearing assembly.
Rega uses intelligent redistribution of mass throughout the tube rather than applying the same wall thickness along its entire length.
The aim is to retain rigidity in structurally important areas while keeping effective mass low and reducing potential points of unwanted resonance.
Precision Bearing Assembly
A tonearm must move freely enough to follow the record groove while remaining stable around its horizontal and vertical pivots.
The RB330 uses hand-selected, low-friction bearings adjusted to minimise unwanted movement and free play.
Its redesigned vertical bearing housing is stiffer than earlier Rega designs, helping maintain the relationship between the cartridge, arm tube and pivot while the record is playing.
- Precision horizontal and vertical bearings
- Extremely low-friction movement
- Minimal unwanted bearing play
- Redesigned rigid vertical bearing housing
- Integrated arm-rest clip
Adjustable Tracking Force and Bias
The RB330 provides separate controls for cartridge tracking force and anti-skate, also known as bias.
After the tonearm has been balanced using the rear counterweight, the tracking-force dial can be set to the cartridge manufacturer's recommended value.
The bias slider should then be adjusted to an appropriate corresponding setting.
Cartridge Setup Is Important
Correct cartridge alignment, tracking force and bias are essential for reliable tracking and record playback.
Audio T staff can install and align a suitable cartridge, set the tracking force and bias, and check the complete tonearm installation.
Contact your local Audio T store
for cartridge fitting, tonearm installation or turntable servicing.
Low-Capacitance Phono Cable
A Rega-made low-capacitance phono cable is permanently connected to the tonearm.
The cable carries the delicate cartridge signal directly from the tonearm to a suitable phono input or external phono stage and is terminated with high-quality Neutrik RCA plugs.
Because the cable is fixed, an additional turntable interconnect is not normally required between the tonearm and phono stage.
Compatible Rega Turntables
The RB330 directly replaces another Rega tonearm that already uses the current three-point mounting arrangement.
Compatibility must still be checked where the turntable has an unusual plinth, lid, arm board or internal clearance.
Three-Point Rega Mounting
- Direct replacement for compatible three-point Rega arms
- No new central mounting hole normally required
- Existing mounting position must be undamaged
- Cartridge setup must be checked after fitting
Older Rega Turntables
- Earlier arms may use a single large mounting nut
- Plinth modification may be required
- The supplied mounting template should be used
- Professional fitting is recommended
Other Turntable Brands
- Turntable manufacturer approval should be checked
- Correct mounting distance is essential
- Suitable space is required above and below the plinth
- Drilling or arm-board modification may be required
Mounting Requirements
When fitting the RB330 to an older Rega turntable or another manufacturer's deck, the centre of the tonearm mounting hole must be positioned 222 mm from the centre of the platter spindle.
The mounting pillar requires a 25 mm opening, together with the three smaller screw holes shown on the supplied template.
Before drilling, sufficient clearance must be confirmed for:
- The tonearm bearing housing beneath the plinth
- The complete horizontal movement of the arm
- The arm tube and counterweight with the lid closed
- The fixed phono cable and its exit route
- Comfortable access to the cueing lever and arm clip
Professional Tonearm Installation
Incorrect mounting distance, poor drilling or insufficient clearance can prevent correct cartridge alignment and may damage the tonearm or turntable.
Audio T staff are qualified to install the RB330 on suitable turntables and can check compatibility before any modification is carried out.
Contact your local Audio T store
with the turntable make, model and photographs for more information.
Cartridge Compatibility
The RB330 has a low effective mass of 11 g and can be used with a wide range of compatible moving magnet and moving-coil cartridges.
Cartridge weight, compliance, body height and mounting arrangement should all be considered before installation.
Rega moving magnet options include the
Rega Nd3
and
Rega Nd5
.
The Planar 6 can also partner the RB330 with suitable higher-level moving magnet or low-output moving-coil cartridges.
A cartridge is not included with the standalone RB330 tonearm.
Arm Height and Cartridge Dimensions
Rega cartridges are designed to work with the normal mounting height of Rega tonearms.
A taller third-party cartridge may require a compatible three-point arm-height spacer to maintain suitable arm clearance and geometry.
Raising the tonearm can affect dustcover and counterweight clearance, so the complete installation should be checked before spacers are fitted.
Setting Up the RB330
- Install and align the cartridge correctly.
- Remove the stylus guard.
- Set the tracking-force dial and bias control to zero.
- Adjust the counterweight until the arm floats approximately 1 mm above the record surface.
- Set the tracking-force dial to the cartridge manufacturer's recommended value.
- Set the bias control to the appropriate corresponding value.
- Check the result using a suitable tracking-force gauge.
- Confirm that the cartridge tracks correctly before normal use.
The
Rega Atlas MK2 Tracking Force Gauge
provides a precise way to verify the applied tracking force.
Key Features
- Hand-assembled precision tonearm
- Designed and manufactured in England
- Low-mass one-piece aluminium arm tube
- Integrated aluminium headshell
- Redesigned rigid vertical bearing housing
- Precision horizontal and vertical bearings
- Extremely low-friction movement
- Hand-selected bearing assemblies
- Adjustable tracking force
- Adjustable anti-skate or bias
- Improved spring housing with clear markings
- Integrated arm-rest clip
- Rega-made low-capacitance phono cable
- Neutrik RCA plugs
- Redesigned 100 g mild-steel balance weight
- Rega three-point arm mounting
- Mounting and alignment template supplied
- Lifetime limited warranty against confirmed manufacturing defects
Technical Specifications
- Product type: Precision pivoted tonearm
- Effective mass: Low, 11 g
- Effective length: 236.5 mm
- Mounting distance: 222 mm from platter centre to arm-hole centre
- Offset angle: 21.55°
- Overhang: 14.5 mm
- Mounting-pillar opening: 25 mm
- Mounting system: Rega three-point fixing
- Balance weight: 100 g mild steel
- Tracking-force adjustment: Spring dial marked from 0 to 3
- Bias adjustment: Adjustable slider
- Output cable: Fixed Rega low-capacitance phono cable
- Output connections: Stereo Neutrik RCA plugs
- Cartridge supplied: No
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Rega turntables use the RB330?
The RB330 is fitted as standard to the current Rega Planar 3 and standard Planar 6.
Will it replace another three-point Rega tonearm?
Yes, where the turntable already uses the compatible Rega three-point mounting and provides sufficient clearance.
Can it fit an older Rega turntable?
It may fit, but older decks using a single-point arm fixing can require plinth modification. Compatibility should be checked before drilling.
Can it be fitted to another brand of turntable?
Potentially, provided the turntable can accommodate the 222 mm mounting distance, 25 mm pillar opening and complete movement of the arm.
Is a cartridge included?
No. A suitable moving magnet or moving-coil cartridge must be purchased or supplied separately.
Does it include a phono cable?
Yes. A fixed Rega low-capacitance cable terminated with Neutrik RCA plugs is fitted to the tonearm.
Does it have adjustable bias?
Yes. The bias slider allows anti-skate to be adjusted for the fitted cartridge.
What is the effective mass?
Rega specifies a low effective mass of 11 g.
Is a mounting template included?
Yes. The template includes mounting guidance and a cartridge-alignment protractor.
Can Audio T install and set up the RB330?
Yes.
Contact your local Audio T store
for compatibility checks, tonearm fitting, cartridge installation and complete turntable setup.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Specialist Rega tonearm and turntable advice
- Compatibility checks for current and older turntables
- Professional tonearm fitting by qualified staff
- Cartridge installation and alignment
- Tracking-force and bias setup
- Advice on suitable moving magnet and moving-coil cartridges
- Help assessing arm-height spacer requirements
- Turntable health checks and servicing advice
- Ongoing support from the UK's oldest independent specialist Hi-Fi retailer
Contact your local Audio T store
to discuss compatibility, cartridge choice or professional installation of the Rega RB330.