An iconic range from the British manufacturer, the Planar series features a new special edition model: the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition. Taking the winning formula of the P3, the brand has improved the rigidity of the turntable’s plinth to reduce unwanted vibration. This new-generation record player also features the new Rega Nd5 cartridge, as well as an exclusive brushed aluminum finish. Do these updates justify the price tag of €1,299?
Included accessories
The Rega Planar 3 RS Edition, which stands for Rega Special, is perfectly protected in its large cardboard box. Inside you’ll find the factory fitted and adjusted Rega Nd5 cartridge, the polished glass platter, the smoked Plexiglas dust cover, the counterweight and the separate Rega Neo PSU MKII power supply. The latter reflects the British brand’s commitment to quality and precision. The RCA cable is soldered to the turntable, which limits the scope for upgrading the audio system, for instance with a preamp incorporating a mini-XLR input.
Presentation
Design
The quality of the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition is immediately apparent as soon as the record player is unboxed. It combines high-end materials such as brushed aluminum, which covers the upper part of the plinth, and the 12mm-thick polished glass of the platter. This superb finish sets this “Rega Special Edition’” turntable apart from the standard Rega Planar 3.
Aside from this gorgeous finish, the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition turntable has the same minimalist design as the standard version. However, the P3 RS logo has been added to the plinth to identify this limited edition.
And it’s precisely on the plinth that Rega has concentrated its efforts to offer a P3 RS Edition turntable that performs better than the standard version. It has been redesigned with a new HPL laminate base. Combined with aluminum, this provides greater rigidity to limit vibrations and internal resonance.
Aluminum tonearm
Founded in 1973, Rega is a world leader in turntables and vinyl equipment. The brand not only develops its own cartridges and electronics, but also its own hand-built tonearms. So it’s only natural that the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition turntable is equipped with the famous RB330 tonearm. This aluminum model features improved friction, precision bearings and a balanced 100g steel balance weight. As a result, it guarantees the best conditions for the associated phono cartridge.
Rega Nd5 cartridge
In addition to the tonearm, the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition comes with a pre-installed in-house phono cartridge. Like all Rega cartridges, the Nd5 uses a 3-point mounting system. This moving-magnet (MM) model features an elliptical nude stylus and a neodymium N55 magnet, traditionally reserved for moving-coil cartridges. Last but not least, the Rega Nd5 phono cartridge benefits from miniaturized parallel coils that are wound using 38 micron wire with just 1275 turns. This optimizes inductance and impedance to maximize high-frequency response.
Separate power supply
Another feature of Rega’s exceptional models is the Rega Neo PSU MKII remote power supply. Included with the turntable, it ensures a clean, stable signal transmission. The Neo PSU MK2 remote power supply minimizes motor noise to get the most out of the turntable. It’s from this small, easily concealed unit that you power up the turntable and select a playback speed of 33 or 45 rpm.
The Rega Neo PSU MKII remote power supply transmits a stable, interference-free signal to the turntable, providing clear sound without background noise or hiss. 
The Rega Neo PSU MKII remote power supply transmits a stable, interference-free signal to the turntable, providing clear sound without background noise or hiss.
Key specifications
- Manual turntable
- Belt drive
- 33 and 45 rpm playback
- 12mm polished glass platter
- RB330 aluminum tonearm
- Rega Nd5 cartridge
- Rega Neo PSU MKII separate power supply
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 447 x 117 x 360mm
- Weight: 6kg
Listening conditions
Tested at the Son-Vidéo.com store in Nantes, the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition turntable was connected to the McIntosh MA9500 amplifier via its MM phono input, using the RCA cable soldered to the turntable. The amplifier powered a pair of Focal Sopra N°2 floorstanding speakers.
When adjusting the arm, it turned out that the tracking force was higher than recommended in the instructions supplied with the turntable. The latter recommends 1.75g, but the ideal setting was around 2g.
Our impressions
As soon as we switched on the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition turntable, the sound experience lived up to its superb design. Even before lowering the tonearm, the silence in the listening room underlined the total absence of background noise. More than just a detail, this is proof of the turntable’s quality and the added value of the separate power supply.
Once we got the first record spinning, the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition confirmed our first positive impression. It nimbly navigated its way through various musical styles, from Led Zeppelin’s rock to Amy Winehouse’s soul, David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust punk. Attacks were clean and the midrange perfectly defined. The Rega Planar 3 RS Edition’s other strength lies in the accuracy and amplitude of its soundstage. During our test, it unfolded with ease, offering a wide sound field. The sound was richly layered, offering a pleasant depth.
At low volume levels, the bass seemed slightly timid, but this impression dissipated as soon as the volume exceeded 40%. The Planar 3 RS Edition’s Nd5 cartridge provided a great sense of detail, extracting every bit of information from our LPs. Of course, this implies taking good care of your vinyl records, as this uncompromising cartridge will be fatal to low-quality masterings. On the other hand, it will bring out the best in high-quality pressings and provide an emotional musical experience.
Rega Planar 3 RS Edition compared to …
Rega Planar 3: the standard version of this turntable is a reliable and acclaimed solution, with a rich, detailed sound reproduction. However, the Rega Special Edition pushes the boundaries of the Rega Planar 3, with non-existent background noise and a high-performance Nd5 cartridge. The reinforced plinth dampens vibrations, enabling the tonearm/cartridge pair to extract every detail from LPs without interference. Last but not least, the brushed aluminum finish of the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition gives it a unique look.
Roksan Attessa: a plug-and-play model, the Roksan turntable incorporates a phono preamplifier stage for easy integration into a compact system. However, the quality of the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition’s Neo PSU MKII external power supply gives it a distinct advantage. The Rega Nd5 cartridge also provides a finer reproduction than the Dana model developed by Audio-Technica and supplied with the Attessa. The Unipivot tonearm with its glass jewel pivot ensures fluid movement and groove tracking. It rivals the excellent performance of the P3 RS Edition’s reference Rega RB330 tonearm.
Who is the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition for?
The Rega Planar 3 RS Edition is designed for discerning music lovers who appreciate beautiful objects. Its sleek, minimalist design is further enhanced by the superb brushed aluminum finish. Capable of delivering a wide, detailed soundstage, this turntable allows you to make the most of your vinyl record collection. With no phono preamp stage, it’s ideal for purists who like to select each component of their vinyl system with care and let it evolve over time, despite its attached RCA cable.
Our verdict
Rega confirms its status as a benchmark turntable manufacturer. Capable of designing very high-end models, the British brand knows above all how to appeal to true vinyl lovers. The Rega Planar 3 RS Edition is a perfect illustration of this. It blends Rega’s historic expertise, notably through an ultra-precise sense of detail, with the neo-retro elegance of its iconic design and brushed aluminum finish. Once set up and adjusted, all that’s left to do is enjoy your vinyl records and be carried away by the music.
We liked
- The superb brushed aluminum finish
- The breadth of the soundstage
- The absence of background noise
- The separate power supply
- The clarity of the sound
We would have liked
- A detachable RCA cable
Rega are adamant about cables being fixed. Integrity of the signal path is their mantra. I think it’s an issue with the P2 because the RCA’s provided are not great. The P3 comes with very nice Neutrik cables so I’m more than happy with them.