Description
The Planar 8 was inspired by Rega's Naiad record player. We previously decided that rather than an evolution of the previous RP8, the new Planar 8 would be designed and engineered to capture the essence of the "Naiad" at an affordable price. Our goal was to deliver a level of performance far beyond what has been achieved at this price point before.
Product information
ULTRA LIGHT PLINTH
The Planar 8 is Rega's second turntable built using our latest ultra-lightweight Tancast 8 polyurethane foam core (a material developed for the aerospace industry). This material is sandwiched between two layers of HPL (high pressure laminate).
HPL is extremely thin and extremely stiff. This new design makes the new Planar 8 skeletal base 30% lighter than the original RP8, while providing increased stiffness compared to the previous model.
DOUBLE BRAKE TECHNOLOGY
The ultra-light plinth, combined with a double phenolic resin brace installed specifically where increased rigidity is required (between the tonearm mount and the main bushing bearing), forms a structurally sound "stressed beam" assembly. This rigid base construction prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonances that would add unnatural distortion to the music.
Likewise, more mass can transfer more unwanted energy, such as motor or bearing noise, directly into the rotating record. Using braces instead of a full shell allows for double the thickness of the phenolic resin in these key areas, while providing a further reduction in plinth weight, which directly addresses the problem of mass absorption and unwanted energy transfer.
RB880 TONAR
For the new RB880, we have introduced an improved vertical bearing assembly, manufactured using aluminum and stainless steel, a light assembly with greatly improved stability and rigidity.
This tonearm uses our advanced zero-tolerance bearing, tuned to less than 1000mm, for friction-free movement and zero unwanted backlash. This sleek yet effective new structure can only be seen through small windows in the rear of the new displacement housing (see image below).
A thinner stainless steel balancer is used, allowing for greater adjustability and compatibility. Finally, the RB880 is finished with a redesigned low-capacitance phono cable that terminates in high-quality locking plugs to ensure the best possible connection.
BELT DRIVE EBLT
For three years, Rega researched and developed with chemists the use of a special new rubber compound for drive belts. Using a specialized hardening system, the new drive belt provides excellent modulus constancy (a constant representing the degree to which a substance exhibits a certain property, especially elasticity).
These new belts are produced on Rega-designed state-of-the-art, ultra-precision tooling that produces "perfectly round" belts with "precise dimensions" that are critical for perfect speed stability.
NEW BEARINGS
The Planar 8 uses a new low-mass center bearing assembly. A fully machined aluminum subplate and hardened tool steel spindle are housed in a custom brass housing that is cleverly fitted inside the chassis. This new fixture is designed to eliminate unwanted potential energy that is transferred or stored in the plinth.
THREE-LAYER GLASS PLOTTER
The Planar 8 uses a three-part laminated glass disc, which is the result of a collaboration with a British glass company. This brand new disc is made from two different high quality Pilkington glasses.
Generally, the only part of a turntable that requires additional mass is the turntable plate to achieve a constant rotational speed. However, a heavier disc poses more challenges to the main bearing design, so a perfect compromise creates the best solution.
In practice, this means keeping as much mass as possible on the outer edge of the glass plate to create more of a flywheel effect, but keeping the inside of the plate as light as possible without compromising stiffness.
24V MOTOR
The Planar 8 uses Rega's latest generation 24V low-vibration synchronous motor technology. A unique assembly utilizing the highest level of grip while maintaining better vibration isolation than any previous model.
This new motor mounting technique (bottom mounted) was taken directly from Rega's flagship turntable, the Naiad.
This unique mounting method relieves all the load on the motor housing. Reduced vibration and tighter mounting provide excellent drive from the new EBLT drive belts. Each motor is hand-tuned to its own custom Neo power supply before mounting to the turntable to optimize the anti-vibration circuit.
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