Проигрыватели виниловых дисков — Rega PLANAR 3

The Planar 3 is a turntable from Rega built around a lightweight acrylic laminated plinth and the hand-assembled RB330 tonearm. Rega traces the idea back to its original Planar range, where a lightweight particulate core with a highly rigid phenolic resin skin formed the basis of the design. Rega states that it pioneered lightweight rigid plinths, and the current version keeps that low-mass approach and adds a double brace in the area that carries the most mechanical stress.

Key specs that matter

Buyers can choose a plinth in white, black or red high gloss, or in a light oak effect. A 12 mm Optiwhite float glass platter with a polished edge sits on a redesigned brass main hub bearing, and Rega credits the new glass with improved accuracy in manufacture. Power comes from a low noise motor, and the RB330 arm can be supplied with a factory-fitted Rega Nd3 or Nd5 moving magnet cartridge. Lid closed, the Planar 3 is 447 mm wide, 360 mm deep and 117 mm high, and it weighs 6.0 kg. Signal leaves through RCA phono outputs, and a mini DIN socket accepts the optional Neo PSU.

Engineering and use context

The double brace is placed between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing, the zone where Rega says extra rigidity is needed. It combines a thicker 3 mm phenolic bottom brace with a top brace of phenolic that has a metalised skin, giving double thickness phenolic resin in these key areas while cutting weight further. The bearing housing was redesigned with an improved fit to reduce stress on the bearing itself. Rega developed the RB330 with 3D CAD and CAM tools, gave it a new bearing housing with high precision bearing assemblies, and redistributed the mass along its tube. The 24 V motor gains an improved motor control PCB and a new cover tray with integrated cooling, and revised feet are meant to increase stability and reduce the transfer of vibration. The power switch is placed in an ergonomic position on the plinth.

Pairing

Because the fitted Nd3 and Nd5 are moving magnet designs, a phono stage or amplifier phono input with an MM setting suits either factory option, connected through the RCA outputs. Owners who want electronic speed change instead of moving the belt by hand can add the Neo PSU through the mini DIN connection, as it is sold separately. The same socket means the upgrade needs no change to the deck itself, since the connection is already built into the Planar 3.

Alternatives

Within the same range, the Rega Planar 6 uses a Tancast 8 foam core plinth and comes with a hand-matched Neo PSU as standard.