British manufacturer Rega is adding to its range of turntables with a particularly accomplished new model: the Planar 6 RS Edition. Priced at €2,690, this “Rega Special” version is based on the famous Planar 6, while incorporating technologies from the brand’s superior models. The aim is to offer an even higher-performance turntable without compromising on lightness or rigidity.
A Rega Special limited edition with a premium stance
With the Planar 6 RS Edition turntable, Rega applies the formula it inaugurated with the Planar 3 RS Edition to offer an optimized special-edition version, benefiting from technical improvements reserved for very high-end models.
This version is distinguished by a selection of high-end components usually reserved for higher-end models, notably the Planar 8. It therefore stands between the standard Planar 6 and the brand’s more ambitious references, offering a particularly interesting balance between performance and design.
The first distinctive feature is the brushed aluminum finish. Already seen on the Rega Planar 3 RS turntable, it lends this edition a minimalist yet resolutely premium style. But beyond its aesthetic appeal, it also contributes directly to performance. Integrated into the chassis, it reinforces the rigidity of the turntable while keeping the weight extremely low, resulting in better vibration control and more accurate sound reproduction.
An ultra-light, rigid chassis to limit resonance
The Planar 6 RS Edition rests on the same Tancast 8 plinth as the original version. This material, derived from polyurethane, is used in aeronautics. This foam structure is sandwiched between layers of high-pressure laminate (HPL), forming a plinth that is both extremely light and rigid.
The chassis also benefits from Double Brace technology, with reinforcements placed between the main bearing and the tonearm. This design limits energy dissipation and unwanted resonance, often responsible for sound coloration.
Components inherited directly from the Planar 8
The major evolution of this RS version is the integration of components from the Rega Planar 8 turntable, acclaimed by the specialist press.
These include:
- The RB880 tonearm, more precise than the RB330 on the standard Planar 6, offering ultra-smooth movement thanks to hand-matched, high-precision bearings.
- The Rega Nd9 cartridge, a top-of-the-range MM model fitted as standard that uses a neodymium magnet and a Fine Line stylus to extract as much detail as possible from the grooves.
- An EBLT double-belt drive, combined with a CNC-machined pulley, guaranteeing excellent rotational stability.
- A 16 mm double-layer glass platter for excellent stability
This combination of components achieves a higher level of sonic precision and definition than the original version, with distortion-free playback that is more precise and detailed.
External power supply for optimum control
The turntable is supplied with a separate Neo PSU MK2 power supply. Equipped with digital signal processing (DSP), it enables fine adjustment of speed and electronic switching between 33 and 45 rpm. This system optimizes the stability of the low-noise 24 V motor and reduces vibrations, contributing to cleaner, more faithful sound reproduction.
With the Planar 6 RS Edition, Rega offers much more than a simple evolution. This Rega Special version combines the fundamentals of the Planar 6 with technologies from higher-end models, and is distinguished by a particularly meticulous brushed aluminum finish. This turntable is aimed at discerning enthusiasts looking for a high-performance, elegant model capable of getting the most out of their vinyl collection.
