Rega Planar 3 RS Turntable

Rega Planar 3 RS Turntable

Name: Rega Planar 3 RS Turntable
Brand: Rega
Price: 2500.00 NZD
Availability: InStock

$2,500.00

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Product variants

There are turntables that play records, and there are turntables that make you fall in love with your record collection all over again. The Planar 3 RS is firmly in the second camp.

Built on the foundation of one of the most celebrated turntables in HiFi history, the RS takes everything that made the Planar 3 an icon and refines it to a degree that has left reviewers genuinely lost for superlatives. The result is a deck that gets out of the way of the music completely — letting the rhythm, texture and emotion of a recording come through with a clarity and conviction that is, quite simply, addictive.

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Specifications

Tonearm: Hand assembled RB330 precision tonearm
Motor: 24 V low noise motor
Platter: 12 mm glass polished edge
Connectivity: RCA - Phono
Power: Via Mini DIN from Neo PSU
Dimensions (lid closed): 447 x 117 x 360 mm
Turntable Weight:6.0Kg
Neo Mk2 PSU: 24 V AC protected by resettable fuse
Power Consumption: 7.2 W
Voltage: 24 V AC
Wall Power supply: Rega PS1 only
Speed control step size: 0.01 RPM
Neo PSU Dimensions: 180 x 150 x 50 mm

The Rega Planar 3 is a product that realistically warrants the term ‘iconic.’

Sound Advice

Nd5 Moving Magnet Cartridge

Each Nd5 is meticulously hand-made by Rega's highly skilled technicians. The stylus profile is a perfect elliptical nude diamond. This is a true ellipse created by an elliptical grinding process made from polycrystalline manmade diamond. The design uses brand new generator geometry with perfect symmetry to achieve accurate channel balance. The Nd5 also has an optimised pole gap for superior linearity and cross talk characteristics. This provides a far wider soundstage than the previous models. This new cartridge is created with miniaturised parallel coils which are wound in house utilising 38-micron wire with just 1275 turns. This produces a low inductance, low impedance generator giving vastly improved high frequency response.

Plinth

Brushed dark aluminium skinned HPL laminated plinth for improved rigidity.

Motor

24 V low noise low voltage precision motor and PCB assembly, fitted with a custom CNC machined aluminium pulley.

Neo MK2 PSU

The Neo MK2 PSU is an advanced turntable power supply providing user controllable fine speed adjustment, an advanced anti-vibration motor circuit and the convenience of electronic speed change. The Neo MK2 reduces motor noise, improves speed stability and rotational speed accuracy.

Double brace technology

3 mm phenolic bottom brace and metalized skin phenolic top brace. The Planar 3 RS Editions plinth is strengthened further using our double brace system. Mounted specifically where the increased rigidity is required (between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing) this forms a structurally sound “stressed beam” assembly. This rigid plinth design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonance, which will add unnatural distortions to the music. Equally, heavier mass can transfer more unwanted energy, such as motor or bearing noise directly into the rotating record. The use of braces instead of the complete skin allows double thickness phenolic resin in these key areas which directly addresses the issue of mass absorption and unwanted energy transmission.

Central bearing

Rega designed patented brass main hub central bearing, improved fit and construction reducing stress on the bearing itself.

Tonearm

The RB330 tonearm was designed using the latest 3D CAD & CAM technology and is the culmination of more than 40 years of tonearm design experience. Featuring our latest bearing housing and tonearm tube designed using intelligent redistribution of mass, ensure this arm will exhibit fewer points of possible resonance. Extreme stability, zero play in the bearings and almost friction free movement from the new high precision bearing assemblies guarantees to gather more information from your vinyl than ever before.

Who is this for?

The Planar 3 RS Edition is for the listener who wants everything the Planar 3 offers, taken a significant step further without jumping to Planar 6 money. RS stands for Rega Special, and the designation is earned — this is a hand-tuned, premium-finished version of the iconic three that borrows technology from higher up the range.

The brushed aluminium HPL plinth is the stiffest ever used at Planar 3 level, and each Neo MK2 power supply is custom matched and hand-tuned to its individual motor — a level of care you'd normally expect at twice the price. It ships with the award-winning Nd5 cartridge fitted, making it a genuinely complete high-performance source component straight out of the box.

For the vinyl enthusiast who wants to buy once and buy well, without the compromises of the standard Planar 3 but without the leap to the Planar 6.

What is the Rega Planar 3 RS Turntable designed to do?

The Rega Planar 3 RS (Reference Special) is a performance-focused version of the Planar 3 designed to deliver improved detail, timing, and musical clarity. It builds on the standard Planar 3 platform with upgraded components and materials aimed at extracting more performance from vinyl playback.

What makes the Rega Planar 3 RS different from the standard Planar 3?

The RS version typically features upgraded external power supply, improved platter, and enhanced tonearm and cartridge pairing options. These refinements reduce noise and vibration while improving overall resolution and stability.

What tonearm does the Planar 3 RS use?

It is fitted with the RB330 tonearm, known for its high rigidity, very low friction bearings, and excellent tracking accuracy.

Does the Rega Planar 3 RS include a cartridge?

Yes, depending on configuration it is often supplied with a factory-fitted Rega moving magnet cartridge, such as the Nd5 or similar upgrade-level MM option.

What power supply does the Planar 3 RS use?

It uses the Neo TT-PSU, which provides electronic speed switching, fine speed calibration, and improved motor control for reduced vibration and better speed stability.

Is the Planar 3 RS a belt-drive or direct-drive turntable?

It is a belt-drive turntable, using Rega’s precision belt system and low-noise motor for stable rotational performance.

What type of platter does the Planar 3 RS use?

It uses a high-quality glass platter designed for consistent mass distribution and stable rotational speed, contributing to improved timing accuracy.

What type of sound does the Rega Planar 3 RS produce?

It delivers a lively, detailed, and rhythmically engaging sound with improved clarity and separation compared to the standard Planar 3. It maintains strong musical flow while offering greater refinement.

How does the Planar 3 RS compare to the standard Planar 3?

The RS version offers better speed stability, improved vibration control, and higher overall resolution due to its upgraded power supply and component matching.

How does the Planar 3 RS compare to the Planar 6?

The Planar 6 sits above the Planar 3 RS, offering a more advanced plinth design, superior isolation, and greater overall transparency and detail retrieval.

What type of music does the Planar 3 RS excel with?

It performs well across all genres, particularly rock, jazz, and acoustic music where timing, rhythm, and clarity are important.

What type of system is the Planar 3 RS designed for?

It is designed for entry-level to mid-range hi-fi systems, typically paired with quality MM phono stages and integrated amplifiers.

Is the Planar 3 RS sensitive to setup?

Yes. Like all Rega turntables, it benefits from correct cartridge alignment, proper tracking force, and a stable, level support surface.

Can the Planar 3 RS be upgraded?

Yes. Performance can be further improved with cartridge upgrades, external phono stages, and system matching.

What makes the Planar 3 RS design philosophy important?

It follows Rega’s minimalist approach, focusing on rigidity, low mass, and reduced energy storage to preserve musical timing and clarity.