Rega Planar 8 Turntable with Cartridge Options
Inspired by the Ultimate Rega Turntable
The Rega Planar 8 was inspired by the extraordinary Rega Naiad, their reference-level turntable. Rather than simply evolving the RP8, Rega’s engineers set out to capture the very essence of the Naiad’s groundbreaking design and technology in a more attainable package. The result is the Planar 8 – a turntable that redefines what’s possible at this level, extracting more music and detail than ever before.
Supplied as standard with the RB880 tonearm and the new look Neo MK2 power supply, the Planar 8 combines cutting-edge materials, advanced engineering, and uncompromising design. Cartridge options include the Rega ND7 (MM), Ania Pro (MC), Apheta 3 (MC), or no cartridge, giving customers flexibility to tailor performance to their system.
Ultra-Lightweight Plinth
At the heart of the Planar 8 is a skeletal plinth built from Tancast 8 polyurethane foam, a material developed for the aerospace industry. This core is sandwiched between high-pressure laminates (HPL) that are extremely thin, exceptionally rigid, and non-marking. The result is a plinth that is 30% lighter than the original RP8, yet more rigid, reducing unwanted resonance and allowing the cartridge to extract even finer details from vinyl grooves.
Double Brace Technology
To maximise rigidity where it matters most, Rega uses phenolic resin braces between the tonearm mount and the main hub bearing. This creates a “stressed beam” assembly that prevents energy absorption and resonance from colouring the sound. By bracing only in key areas, rather than enclosing the entire plinth, weight is kept to a minimum while structural integrity is increased. This prevents distortion and ensures the purest transfer of information from the record.
RB880 Precision Tonearm
The Planar 8 is equipped with the RB880 tonearm, an advanced design featuring a stainless steel and aluminium vertical bearing assembly for increased stability. With preloaded, zero-tolerance bearings adjusted to less than a thousandth of a millimetre, the RB880 offers friction-free movement and eliminates unwanted play.
A slimmer stainless steel counterweight allows greater cartridge compatibility and adjustability, while a redesigned, low-capacitance phono cable with locking phono plugs ensures the best possible signal integrity from record to amplifier.
Super Flywheel Effect Triple-Layer Glass Platter
Working with a specialist British glass engineering company, Rega developed a unique triple-layer glass platter using two different Pilkington glasses. By concentrating mass at the outer rim, the platter delivers a superior flywheel effect for constant rotational speed, while the inner section remains light and rigid to reduce bearing stress. This balance ensures stability and smooth playback.
EBLT Drive Belt Technology
After three years of development with materials specialists, Rega introduced a bespoke rubber compound for their reference drive belts. Manufactured with state-of-the-art precision tooling, these belts are dimensionally accurate and perfectly round, ensuring unmatched consistency and speed stability. The Planar 8 is supplied with Rega’s reference EBLT belt as standard.
Hub Bearing Assembly
The hub bearing design features a single-piece machined aluminium sub-platter with a hardened steel spindle running inside a custom brass housing. This low-mass central bearing is cleverly mounted to minimise energy transfer into the plinth, further improving accuracy and detail retrieval.
24V Low-Noise Motor and Neo MK2 Power Supply
The Planar 8 employs Rega’s latest 24V synchronous, low-vibration motor, mounted using a method borrowed directly from the Naiad. By coupling the motor at the base while isolating vibration, stress on the motor body is reduced and drive performance improved. Each motor is hand-tuned to its own Neo power supply before fitting, guaranteeing optimal performance.
The Neo MK2 PSU provides electronic speed selection, advanced anti-vibration control, and fine electronic speed adjustment. Built around the RP10’s DSP generator and a high-stability crystal, it delivers a perfectly accurate signal unaffected by mains fluctuations, driving the motor with minimal distortion.
Cartridge Options
The Planar 8 can be purchased with a choice of factory-fitted cartridges or without, depending on system requirements:
• Rega ND7 (MM) – excellent performance moving magnet design
• Rega Ania Pro (MC) – advanced moving coil with detailed soundstage
• Rega Apheta 3 (MC) – reference-level moving coil performance
• No cartridge fitted – for customers who prefer to choose their own
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Selectable Speed
33 1/3 rpm, 45 rpm
Planar 8 Turntable Dimensions (with dust cover fitted) (W x H x D)
420 x 125 x 315 mm
Neo PSU Dimensions (W x H x D)
180 x 50 x 155 mm
Turntable Weight
?4.2 kg
Neo PSU Weight
0.6 kg