ABOUT THIS PROJECT
The Planar 8 is inspired by Rega's all-time reference turntable, the “ Naiad ”. We decided early on that instead of proceeding with an evolution of the previous RP8, the new Planar 8 would be developed to include the essence of the Naiad at an affordable price. Our goal was to offer a much higher sound quality than what has been achieved so far in that price range. Every detail of the Planar 8 has been engineered to extract as much detail as possible from the vinyl surface. The most advanced materials and design solutions have been chosen, building everything around a very light base of the highest quality to ensure the highest level of performance. The Planar 8 is supplied with the new RB880 tonearm and Neo PSU power supply which offers electronic speed change, advanced anti-vibration control and speed fine tuning to allow for total accuracy and complete motor control. The outer plinth of the previous model has been removed and a new elegant removable lid has been designed to further reduce the mass of the turntable.
NB: the smaller base of the Planar 8 is not compatible with existing Rega wall shelves, a new lightweight wall shelf has been developed specifically for the Planar 8. * All images show the Apheta 2 MC cartridge (sold separately). 
ULTRALIGHT BASE
The Planar 8 is the second Rega turntable built using the latest Tancast 8 ultra-light polyurethane foam material (developed for the aerospace industry). This material is sandwiched between two layers of HPL (High Pressure Laminate), HPL is extraordinarily thin and extremely stiff . The new construction allows for a base that is 30% lighter than the original RP8, while simultaneously offering greater stiffness.
RB880 ARM
With the new RB880 Rega has introduced a new vertical bearing structure constructed using aluminum and stainless steel, with low mass and greatly improved stability and rigidity. This arm uses a state-of-the-art preloaded zero-tolerance bearing design with adjustment to less than a thousandth of a millimeter, so you have frictionless movement and no unwanted movement. This discreet but effective new structure is visible only through the small window on the back of the new bias adjustment. A thinner stainless steel counterweight is used, providing greater adjustability and compatibility. To top it off the RB880 is terminated with a newly designed low capacitance cable with high quality locking RCA connectors to ensure the best possible connection.
DB TECHNOLOGY (DUAL PILLARS TECHNOLOGY) “MASS ABSORBS ENERGY – LOST ENERGY = LOST MUSIC”!
A featherweight plinth coupled with a double phenolic resin ferrule mounted specifically where greater stiffness is required (between the arm mounting point and the platter hub) forms a sonic tensioned band structure. This design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonances which would add unnatural distortion to the music. Likewise, a heavier mass can transfer more unwanted resonances such as motor or hub noise directly to the spinning disc. The use of the ferrule instead of a compact surface allows the use of the double layer of phenolic resin in the critical areas, simultaneously allowing a reduction in the weight of the base so as to directly solve the problems relating to mass absorption and undesired energy transfer .
HUB ASSEMBLY
The planar 8 uses a new low mass center hub assembly. A machined one-piece aluminum sub-platter and hardened tool steel shaft rotate within a bronze housing mounted within the base. This new mount is designed to eradicate any potential energy transfer or storage in the base.
THREE-LAYER GLASS PLATE WITH SUPER VOLANO EFFECT
The Planar 8 uses a three layer glass platter which is the result of collaboration with a British company specializing in glass technology. This brand new dish is made from two different high quality Pilkington glass . As a general rule the only part of a turntable that requires a lot of mass is the platter in order to obtain a constant rotational speed. On the other hand a heavy platter creates more problems for the hub, so again an ideal compromise is the best solution. In practice this means that most of the mass is placed to the outside of the glass platter so as to create a flywheel effect while keeping the interior of the platter as light as possible without sacrificing stiffness.
LOW NOISE 24 VOLT MOTOR
The Planar 8 uses the latest generation of low noise 24V synchronous motor technology. Specifically fitted using the highest level of fit while maintaining the very high vibration isolation of previous models. This new (bottom) mounting technology is borrowed directly from Rega's reference turntable, the Naiad . This unique mounting method eliminates all stress to the motor body. Reduced vibrations and stiffer mounting allow for more drive with new EBLT belts . Each motor is individually hand calibrated to match the new Neo power supply before being installed in the turntable to optimize the anti-vibration circuitry.
EBLT STRAPS
For three years Rega researched and developed with the collaboration of chemists the use of a new rubber compound tailored for its belts. Using a special hardening system, the new belt offers better constancy of modulus (a constant representing the degree of a specific property of a substance, specifically elasticity). These new belts are produced on a benchmark machine designed by Rega which allows the production of perfectly round and dimensionally accurate belts, critical characteristics for perfect speed stability.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
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Dimensions : Turntable (complete with lid) - Width 420 mm - Depth 315 mm - Height 125 mm
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Weight 4.2kg
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Dimensions : Neo PSU - Width 180 mm - Depth 155 mm - Height 50 mm
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Weight 0.6 kg
