Audio T Verdict
The Rega Ania provides an accessible route into Rega's hand-built moving coil cartridge range, combining much of the generator technology developed for the company's higher-level models with a precisely moulded PPS body.
Its elliptical stylus and aluminium cantilever deliver a clear, fast and detailed presentation, while Rega's three-point fixing makes installation particularly straightforward on a compatible Rega tonearm.
The Ania is a low-output moving coil cartridge, so it requires a suitable MC phono stage. Correct fitting and setup are important, and Audio T can install the cartridge, set the tracking force and check the partnering phono stage.
Rega Ania Moving Coil Cartridge
The Rega Ania takes technology developed for the Apheta and Aphelion moving coil cartridges and places it within a more accessible design.
At its heart is a miniature generator using a coil meticulously hand-wound from 0.018 mm fine wire onto an iron micro cross. This low-mass assembly is partnered with a powerful neodymium magnet and Rega's distinctive rhomboid cantilever pivot system.
The result is a cartridge designed to follow the record groove accurately while retrieving fine musical information with speed, clarity and strong rhythmic definition.
Low-Output Moving Coil Design
A moving coil cartridge generates its electrical signal by moving a very small coil within a magnetic field. This assembly is considerably lighter than the moving magnet arrangement used by many more affordable cartridges.
Reducing the moving mass allows the stylus and cantilever to respond quickly to changes within the record groove. However, it also produces a much lower electrical output.
The Ania has a nominal output of 350 µV and must therefore be connected to a suitable low-output moving coil phono stage.
Suitable Connections
- A dedicated moving coil phono stage
- An amplifier input specifically marked MC
- An adjustable phono stage configured for a low-output MC cartridge
- Recommended input loading of 100 O
- High gain setting on compatible Rega phono stages
Not Suitable Without Additional Equipment
- A moving magnet Phono input
- An amplifier input marked MM
- A normal AUX, CD or Line input
- The Rega Fono MM or Fono Mini A2D
- An input without sufficient moving coil gain
Hand-Wound Micro Coil Generator
The Ania uses one of Rega's smallest moving coil generator assemblies. Its coils are wound by hand onto an iron micro cross using fine 0.018 mm wire.
This miniature assembly is positioned within a powerful neodymium magnetic field. Rega uses an undamped generator without a conventional tie wire, partnered with a rhomboid pivot arrangement for the cantilever.
The generator requires extremely accurate alignment between the cantilever pivot, coil assembly and magnet mechanism. The rigid cartridge body is therefore an important part of the design rather than simply a protective outer shell.
Rigid PPS Cartridge Body
The Ania body is moulded from Polyphenylene Sulphide, known as PPS-Fortron, combined with 40% glass.
Rega selected this material for its hardness and its ability to retain accurate dimensions after moulding. The intricate body is produced using an eight-part high-pressure injection mould developed specifically for the cartridge.
High-specification stainless steel inserts provide secure mounting points, while a clear CAD-designed rigid cover protects the fine internal wires and generator assembly during normal handling.
Elliptical Stylus and Aluminium Cantilever
The Ania uses a diamond-tipped elliptical stylus mounted to an aluminium cantilever.
The elliptical profile is designed to follow the shape of the record groove more precisely than a basic conical stylus. This can reveal more low-level information while improving clarity and separation through complex passages.
The recommended tracking pressure is between 1.75 and 2.00 g. Correct tracking force is important for reliable groove contact and to avoid unnecessary wear to the stylus or records.
Rega Three-Point Mounting
The Ania includes Rega's three-point cartridge fixing system. When fitted to a compatible Rega tonearm, the third mounting point automatically establishes the correct overhang.
The three fixings also provide a secure mechanical connection between the cartridge body and headshell.
It can be installed using the conventional two mounting points on other compatible tonearms, but the cartridge must then be aligned using the appropriate turntable alignment protractor.
Professional Cartridge Fitting by Audio T
The Ania contains extremely fine internal wires and a delicate exposed cantilever. Rega warns that incorrect mounting hardware can damage the cartridge.
Audio T staff can fit the Ania using the correct hardware, check cartridge alignment, set the tracking force and bias, and confirm that your phono stage is configured correctly.
Contact your local Audio T store
for compatibility advice and cartridge-fitting arrangements.
Choosing a Moving Coil Phono Stage
A suitable phono stage must provide considerably more gain than a moving magnet design while introducing as little noise as possible.
Rega Fono MC Mk4
The
Rega Fono MC Mk4
is a natural partner for the Ania.
Its factory settings are configured for Rega moving coil cartridges, including 100 O loading, 1000 pF capacitance and high gain.
Rega Aos MC
The
Rega Aos MC
provides a higher-performance adjustable option based heavily on technology developed for the Aura Reference MC.
It is worth considering where the turntable and rest of the system can reveal its additional resolution and refinement.
The Ania can also be used with suitable moving coil phono stages from other manufacturers. Check that the stage provides appropriate gain and supports an input load close to Rega's recommended 100 O setting.
Ania or Ania Pro?
Rega Ania
- Elliptical diamond stylus
- Aluminium cantilever
- Hand-wound micro coil
- Rigid PPS body
- Three-point Rega mounting
- Accessible introduction to Rega moving coil playback
Rega Ania Pro
The
Rega Ania Pro
uses the same underlying body and generator concept but adds a Vital-profile nude diamond stylus.
- Vital-profile nude diamond
- Tapered aluminium cantilever
- Greater groove-contact accuracy
- Factory-fit option for current Planar 6 and Planar 8 models
Stylus Wear and Cartridge Care
The Ania does not have a detachable user-replaceable stylus. If the stylus becomes worn or the cantilever is damaged, the complete cartridge should be inspected by an authorised Rega retailer.
Always switch off the amplifier before connecting or disconnecting the cartridge. Avoid touching the cantilever or stylus and never clean the diamond by applying sideways pressure.
Keep records clean and lower the tonearm using its cueing mechanism. A damaged or heavily contaminated record can place unnecessary strain on the stylus.
Audio T can inspect the cartridge and advise on the available Rega replacement or service options when required.
Key Features
- Low-output moving coil cartridge
- Designed and assembled in England
- Hand-wound micro coil generator
- Iron micro cross assembly
- Coil constructed from 0.018 mm fine wire
- High-powered neodymium magnet system
- Unique rhomboid cantilever pivot
- Undamped generator design without a conventional tie wire
- Elliptical diamond stylus profile
- Aluminium cantilever
- Rigid PPS-Fortron body with 40% glass content
- High-specification stainless steel inserts
- Clear rigid generator cover
- Rega three-point mounting system
- Automatic overhang when three-point mounted to a compatible Rega tonearm
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Rega Ania a moving magnet or moving coil cartridge?
The Ania is a low-output moving coil cartridge and requires a compatible moving coil phono stage.
Can I connect it to a normal moving magnet Phono input?
No. A moving magnet input will not normally provide enough gain or the correct loading. Use a dedicated MC input or external moving coil phono stage.
Which loading should I use?
Rega recommends 100 O input loading, 1000 pF capacitance and the high gain setting on compatible adjustable Rega phono stages.
What tracking force does the Ania require?
Rega specifies a tracking-pressure range of 1.75 to 2.00 g.
Does the three-point fixing remove the need for alignment?
When all three mounting points are used with a compatible Rega tonearm, the correct overhang is set automatically. Other tonearms may require conventional two-point fitting and alignment.
Can the stylus be replaced at home?
No. The Ania stylus is not a detachable user-replaceable part. Contact Audio T if the stylus becomes worn or damaged.
What is the difference between the Ania and Ania Pro?
The Ania uses an elliptical diamond stylus. The Ania Pro upgrades this to a Vital-profile nude diamond while retaining the same broad generator and PPS body concept.
Can Audio T install and set up the cartridge?
Yes.
Contact your local Audio T store
for cartridge installation, alignment, tracking-force adjustment and phono-stage setup.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Genuine Rega moving coil cartridge
- Compatibility advice for turntables and tonearms
- Professional cartridge fitting and alignment
- Correct tracking-force and bias adjustment
- Help configuring moving coil phono-stage loading and gain
- Demonstrations with suitable Rega phono stages
- Advice comparing the Ania and Ania Pro
- Cartridge inspection and replacement support
- Ongoing help from the UK's oldest independent specialist Hi-Fi retailer
Contact your local Audio T store
to arrange a demonstration or discuss fitting the Rega Ania to your turntable.
Rega's lifetime limited warranty covers confirmed manufacturing defects. Normal stylus wear, accidental cantilever damage and other consumable wear are not covered.