Audio T Verdict
The Rega Planar 6 occupies an important position in the Rega range, offering a substantial improvement over the Planar 3 while retaining a conventional full-width plinth, hinged dustcover and straightforward operation.
Its Tancast 8 foam-core plinth, precision aluminium sub-platter, RB330 tonearm, Reference EBLT drive belt and custom-matched Neo Mk2 power supply provide a more stable and revealing platform for serious vinyl replay.
Available in Black or White, the Planar 6 can be ordered without a cartridge or with a factory-fitted Rega Nd5, Nd7 or Ania Pro. The Nd5 and Nd7 suit moving magnet phono inputs, while the Ania Pro requires a compatible moving coil phono stage.
Rega Planar 6 Turntable
The Rega Planar 6 combines advanced materials and precision engineering with the familiar shape and practical hinged dustcover associated with Rega's traditional turntables.
Inspired by technology developed for the RP8 and RP10, it was the first Rega production turntable to use a Tancast 8 foam-core plinth. This lightweight structure is designed to provide high rigidity while reducing the storage of unwanted vibrational energy.
Every Planar 6 includes the hand-assembled RB330 tonearm, a dual-layer float-glass platter, a machined aluminium sub-platter and a custom-matched Neo Mk2 external power supply.
Ultra-Lightweight Tancast 8 Plinth
The Planar 6 plinth is built around a Tancast 8 polyurethane foam core, a lightweight material originally developed for aerospace applications.
The foam core is enclosed between extremely thin layers of high-pressure laminate. This creates a lightweight but rigid platform for the tonearm, central bearing and motor.
Reducing unnecessary mass helps prevent energy from being absorbed and released back into the turntable, where it could interfere with the cartridge as it traces the record groove.
RB330 Precision Tonearm
The Planar 6 is fitted with Rega's hand-assembled RB330 tonearm.
Its bearing housing and tapered aluminium arm tube are designed to provide high stability, low friction and fewer potential resonance points.
- Hand-assembled precision tonearm
- High-precision bearing assemblies
- Near-frictionless horizontal and vertical movement
- Low-mass tapered aluminium arm tube
- Stainless-steel balance weight
- Rega three-point cartridge mounting system
- Fixed low-capacitance tonearm cable
Rega's three-point mounting system also allows compatible Rega cartridges to be positioned accurately without a complicated manual alignment process.
Dual-Layer Float-Glass Platter
The Planar 6 uses a dual-layer float-glass platter designed to provide greater rotational stability and a stronger flywheel effect than the single-layer platter used on lower models.
Additional mass is concentrated around the outer area of the platter, helping it maintain a consistent rotational speed once moving.
The Black version is supplied with a smoked dual-layer platter, while the White version uses a clear dual-layer platter.
Machined Aluminium Sub-Platter
Beneath the glass platter is a single-piece machined aluminium sub-platter.
Its accurate construction provides a stable connection between the main bearing, drive belt and glass platter, helping to improve rotational consistency and reduce unwanted movement.
Double Brace Technology
Rega's Double Brace Technology reinforces the critical area between the tonearm mounting and the central hub bearing.
The upper and lower bracing helps maintain accurate alignment between these components while avoiding the additional mass of reinforcing the entire plinth.
This creates a rigid structural connection where it matters most, helping the cartridge retrieve information from the groove without unwanted movement between the tonearm and platter.
Reference EBLT Drive Belt
The Planar 6 is supplied with Rega's Reference EBLT drive belt as standard.
Its specially developed rubber compound and accurately controlled dimensions are designed to provide a consistent connection between the motor pulley and aluminium sub-platter.
Greater consistency in the belt's shape and elasticity helps support accurate and stable platter rotation.
24V Low-Noise Motor
A 24V synchronous low-noise motor drives the Planar 6 through a custom pulley and Reference EBLT belt.
Each motor is individually hand-tuned and matched to its own Neo Mk2 power supply before the turntable leaves the factory.
This matching process allows the motor and power supply to work together to reduce vibration and maintain accurate speed.
Neo Mk2 Power Supply
The custom-matched Neo Mk2 external power supply is included with every Planar 6 finish and cartridge option.
It generates the waveform used to drive the motor rather than relying directly on the incoming mains frequency, helping to improve consistency and reduce motor vibration.
- Electronic selection between 33? and 45 rpm
- Digital signal processing motor control
- High-stability crystal reference
- User-adjustable fine speed control
- Advanced anti-vibration control
- Individually matched motor and power supply
Black or White Finish
Black Finish
Audio T lists the darker Planar 6 finish as Black. Rega officially describes it as matt Polaris Grey with gloss-black edge trim.
This version is supplied with a smoked dustcover and smoked dual-layer glass platter.
It is available without a cartridge or with the Nd5, Nd7 or Ania Pro.
White Finish
The matt White Planar 6 provides a brighter alternative while retaining the same plinth construction and engineering.
This version is supplied with a clear dustcover and clear dual-layer glass platter.
It is available without a cartridge or with the Nd5, Nd7 or Ania Pro.
Choose Your Cartridge
Planar 6 Without Cartridge
This option includes the Planar 6, RB330 tonearm, dual-layer glass platter, hinged dustcover and custom-matched Neo Mk2 power supply, but no cartridge.
It is suitable for customers who already own a compatible cartridge or who want to create a carefully matched vinyl system.
Cartridge weight, height, output and compatibility with the RB330 should be checked before fitting. Audio T can advise on cartridge choice, installation and alignment.
Planar 6 with Nd5
The
Rega Nd5
is a moving magnet cartridge with a perfect elliptical nude diamond stylus, aluminium cantilever and Rega's neodymium magnet generator.
It provides a balanced and accessible introduction to the performance of the Planar 6 while remaining compatible with standard moving magnet phono inputs.
When this option is selected, the cartridge is factory-fitted and aligned to the RB330 tonearm.
Planar 6 with Nd7
The
Rega Nd7
uses a fine-line nude diamond stylus, aluminium cantilever and Rega's neodymium magnet generator.
Its finer stylus profile is designed to retrieve more low-level information from the groove than the Nd5 while retaining the convenience and stronger output of a moving magnet cartridge.
The Nd7 is factory-fitted and aligned when selected as part of the Planar 6 package.
Planar 6 with Ania Pro
The
Rega Ania Pro
is a low-output moving coil cartridge with a Vital-profile nude diamond stylus, hand-wound micro coil and highly rigid PPS body.
It is the highest-performance factory-fitted cartridge option available for the standard Planar 6 and offers the lower moving mass associated with Rega's moving coil designs.
A compatible moving coil phono stage is required.
Choosing a Phono Stage
Nd5 and Nd7
The Nd5 and Nd7 are moving magnet cartridges and require a moving magnet phono input.
This may be built into your amplifier or provided by a separate phono stage such as the
Rega Fono MM Mk5
.
Ania Pro
The Ania Pro is a low-output moving coil cartridge and requires a compatible moving coil phono stage.
Suitable options include the
Rega Fono MC Mk4
and
Rega Aos MC
.
Who Is the Rega Planar 6 For?
A Good Choice If You:
- Want a substantial upgrade from a Planar 1, Planar 2 or Planar 3
- Want a traditional full-width turntable with a hinged dustcover
- Value Rega's lightweight and high-rigidity design approach
- Want electronic selection between 33? and 45 rpm
- Want a choice of moving magnet or moving coil cartridges
- Would prefer a factory-fitted and aligned cartridge
- Want a choice of Black or White finishes
Consider Another Option If You:
- Need fully automatic turntable operation
- Require an integrated phono stage, Bluetooth or USB output
- Prefer a direct-drive turntable
- Want the RB880 tonearm fitted to the Planar 6 RS or Planar 8
- Want the skeletal plinth construction of the Planar 8
- Prefer the presentation of a suspended or high-mass turntable
Key Features
- Hand-assembled Rega RB330 precision tonearm
- Stainless-steel tonearm balance weight
- Tancast 8 ultra-lightweight foam-core plinth
- High-pressure laminate upper and lower surfaces
- Rega Double Brace Technology
- Dual-layer float-glass platter
- Single-piece machined aluminium sub-platter
- Custom central bearing assembly
- 24V synchronous low-noise motor
- Custom-matched Neo Mk2 external power supply
- Electronic 33? and 45 rpm speed selection
- User-adjustable fine speed control
- Reference EBLT drive belt fitted as standard
- Hinged dustcover supplied as standard
- Available in Black or White
- Available without a cartridge or with a factory-fitted Nd5, Nd7 or Ania Pro
- Lifetime limited warranty against confirmed manufacturing defects
Frequently Asked Questions
What Rega Planar 6 options are available?
The Planar 6 is available in Black or White. Each finish can be ordered without a cartridge, with an Nd5, with an Nd7 or with an Ania Pro.
Does the Rega Planar 6 include a cartridge?
That depends on the selected option. The cartridge-free version does not include a cartridge. The Nd5, Nd7 and Ania Pro versions include the selected cartridge factory-fitted and aligned.
What is included with the cartridge-free version?
The cartridge-free Planar 6 includes the turntable, RB330 tonearm, dual-layer glass platter, hinged dustcover and custom-matched Neo Mk2 power supply.
What is the difference between the Nd5 and Nd7?
Both are moving magnet cartridges with aluminium cantilevers and Rega's neodymium magnet generator. The Nd5 uses a perfect elliptical nude diamond stylus, while the Nd7 uses a finer line-contact nude diamond profile for increased detail retrieval.
What is the difference between the Nd7 and Ania Pro?
The Nd7 is a higher-output moving magnet cartridge and is easier to accommodate with many amplifiers. The Ania Pro is a low-output moving coil design with a lighter hand-wound generator and requires a compatible moving coil phono stage.
Are the cartridge options fitted at the factory?
Yes. When the Nd5, Nd7 or Ania Pro option is selected, the cartridge is factory-fitted and aligned to the RB330 tonearm.
Can I fit a different cartridge?
Yes. The cartridge-free version allows a suitable alternative cartridge to be installed. Its weight, height, output and compatibility with the RB330 tonearm should be checked before purchase.
Which phono input do the Nd5 and Nd7 require?
The Nd5 and Nd7 require a moving magnet phono input. This may be built into your amplifier or provided by a separate moving magnet phono stage.
Which phono stage does the Ania Pro require?
The Ania Pro requires a compatible low-output moving coil phono stage. It should not be connected directly to a standard moving magnet input.
Does the Planar 6 have a built-in phono stage?
No. A separate phono stage or an amplifier with the correct type of phono input is required.
Is the Neo Mk2 power supply included?
Yes. A custom-matched Neo Mk2 external power supply is included with every Planar 6 configuration.
Can the speed be changed electronically?
Yes. The Neo Mk2 provides electronic switching between 33? and 45 rpm without manually moving the drive belt.
Does the Rega Planar 6 include a dustcover?
Yes. A hinged dustcover is supplied as standard. The Black version has a smoked dustcover, while the White version has a clear dustcover.
Can I arrange a demonstration?
Yes. We recommend hearing the Planar 6 with the cartridge and phono stage options most relevant to your system. Contact your local Audio T store to discuss availability and arrange a demonstration.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Specialist advice from experienced in-store teams
- Demonstrations available through selected Audio T stores
- Help choosing between all four cartridge configurations
- Moving magnet and moving coil phono stage advice
- Professional cartridge fitting and turntable setup advice
- Part exchange available on suitable equipment
- Home demonstrations may be available depending on location and system requirements
- Ongoing support from the UK's oldest independent specialist Hi-Fi retailer
Contact your local Audio T store
to arrange a demonstration or discuss the best Rega Planar 6 configuration for your system.