Innovation to maximize performance!
In 2023, the British audio product manufacturer Rega Research Limited (Rega) achieved its milestone 50th anniversary. Over a half decade, founder Roy Gandy has constantly shown innovation in Rega’s analog products – typically taking his own unique route to deliver the highest performance in an efficient and economical manner. The pinnacle of Rega’s turntables was released in 2017 – the Rega Naiad (orig. £29,999). The Naiad, a ‘skunkworks’ limited edition (50 units) turntable is the culmination of seven years of intensive research and development. Fortunately, Rega trickled down its Naiad innovations into a full production turntable, the RP10 in 2015, before the Naiad was even released.
In 2019, Rega released its successor to the RP10, the Reference class Planar 10 (P10), which at the time became the closest embodiment of the Naiad. Yet, in September 2023, Rega released another Reference class turntable, the Naia, that has taken the place of top dog full-production turntable in the Rega stable, sitting only beneath the limited-edition Naiad. For perspective, the Naia turntable without cartridge is CAD $17,995, while a naked Planar 10 is CAD $8,395 and the king-of-the-hill Rega Naiad, is £29,999 or about CAD $54,000 based on current exchange.
You might ask, why review the Planar 10, if the Naia is now arguably the greatest full production model that Rega produces? Well, some of us, like myself, strive for the highest performance but have limited means. The Rega P10 packaged with Rega Apheta 3 MC cartridge, CAD $9,999, is a table I just might be able to afford; however, as tempting as the Naia might be, it’s just not within my present reach to own. Yes, we audio reviewers constantly evaluate products that we may never afford but as I’ve been in search for a new reference table, the P10 was one on my short list for audition given its forward-thinking design, sleek form and reputed performance/value.
Design
The Rega P10 follows in the tradition of Rega turntables being a machine of minimalist design. On this front, Rega turntables remind me of Formula race cars, as they both aim to deliver the highest performance possible by minimizing weight through the incorporation of advanced technologies and materials to meet a cost cap. The driving factor of this weight shedding approach to performance is in Roy Gandy’s theory that eliminating weight serves to reduce the propensity for unwanted audible vibration infiltrating vinyl playback, yielding greater purity in the sound extracted from the grooves. More on this theory can be found in the book by Bill Philpot, Paul Messenger & Roy Gandy, called ‘A Vibration Measuring Machine’ that you can order from Rega.
Plinth
The plinth of the P10 is a sandwich, skeletal construction that employs an ultra-lightweight Tancast 8 polyurethane foam core, which was developed for aerospace. The Tancast 8 core is sandwiched between two layers of high-pressure laminate (HPL), providing extreme rigidity, yet lightweight. In fact, the P10 plinth is 30 % that of the former RP10, while delivering even greater rigidity.
Double Brace (DB)Rega employs its double-bracing (DB) technology in the P10. The DB consists of a ceramic top brace and phenolic resin bottom brace that extend from the tonearm base to the main hub bearing providing a ‘stressed beam assembly’. The result is an overall lighter plinth with the highest rigidity, avoiding what Rega states as, …the issue of mass absorption and unwanted energy transmission.
Ceramic Platter
The P10 uses a custom ceramic platter that is formed from ceramic oxide powder that is compressed, fired and diamond cut to exacting tolerances. A thinker outer section provides a flywheel stability effect.
Low-Mass Bearing
The P10 incorporates a new low mass bearing that comprised of a single-piece aluminium sub-platter, hardened tool steel spindle and surrounding custom brass housing, which is mounted in a manner that eliminates potential energy transfer / of build up within the plinth.
24 V Motor
The motor within the P10 is the latest 24 V, synchronous, low vibration design and is mounted using a method from the Naiad, which achieves the highest possible coupling with optimized vibration isolation. Motor stress is relieved from the motor body, leaving the drive pulley unaffected and providing higher stability and accuracy.
EBLT Drive Belt
The EBLT drive belt used in the P10 uses a new bespoke rubber compound and specialised curing system that took three years to develop but that was not enough. Rega engaged a Formula 1 engine manufacturer to perfect the belt’s dimensional consistency and roundness. Materials and form combined, the EBLT belt facilitates near-perfect speed stability.
RB3000 Tonearm
The RB3000 is the result of three years of developing a new manufacturing process that allows a micron-tolerance bearing fit. The RB3000 tonearm minimizes mechanical joints and meets such tight fit tolerances that no adhesives whatsoever are needed in its construction. With the bearing assembly adjusted within less than a micron (1/1000 mm), movement is friction-free with no play. The Rega arm tube is hand polished and is designed to redistribute its minimum mass to reduce stresses and resonances beyond any of its predecessors.
PL10 PS Power Supply
A robust and substantial separate power supply (PL10 PS) incorporates electronic speed change, advanced anti-vibration control and user adjustable electronic fine speed adjustment. It is housed in an all-metal enclosure and uses a new DSP (Digital Signal Processing) generator developed around a high stability crystal for the highest speed accuracy with a near perfect sinusoidal waveform deliver to power the 24 V motor. The PL10 PS is also factory adjusted to perfectly match the specific motor in the PL10 it accompanies; this custom tuning ensures maximum performance.
Apheta 3 MC Cartridge
The Rega Apheta 3 is a Moving Coil (MC) cartridge that is second only to the Aphelion 2 in Rega’s stable of cartridges. It is an undamped (no tie wire) ultra-low mass design with a unique rhomboid pivot for the cantilever and Rega proprietary Neodymium magnet system. The design requires a zero-tolerance engineered cartridge body which is machined from a single piece of highest quality aluminium. With no tie wire nor foam damper Rega purports that the Apheta 3 yields a super clear top end along with firm and tight bass that set Rega MC cartridges apart from others. Key aspects include a fine line profile nude diamond stylus with tracking pressure: 1.9 – 2.0 g; input load impedance: 100 Ω; output impedance: 10 Ω; capacitance: 1000 pF; nominal output voltage: 350 μV; channel balance: ≥ 20 μV; separation: ≥ -29 dB; and mass of 6 g.
Build and Finish
Colour choices are between Polaris grey and a new white finish, with my review sample arriving in white. The RP10 is very sleek and simple and in white had me thinking Star Wars Stormtroopers – they were British too, weren’t they?
The Made in England P10 has impeccable fit and finish. There were some minor buffing marks on the tonearm, but I’d expect to get a mirror finish would be cost prohibitive and also hard to maintain. The ceramic platter is astoundingly smooth perfectly round. The PL10 PS had a solid and hefty feel and complemented the fine finish of the P10.
Unboxing & Setup
The P10 comes very well packed and in my case with Apheta 3, mounted and aligned. A single box contains two within: one for the power supply and the other with the P10. An easy-to-follow diagram setup sheet helps make unpacking simple. Two cord connections, slide on the counterweight, set the ceramic platter down and remove the stylus guard. You can be up and running in under 10 minutes.
Installation
I set the P10 upon my Quadraspire SV3 and connected it to my Gold Note PH-10 & PSU-10 phonostage. I used my Bryston BR20 preamp / streamer / DAC with Bryston 7B3 monoblocks and both my Focal Electra 1008 Be II and Dynaudio C2 Signature loudspeakers.
Listening
I began by listening with Diana Krall. Some may consider her music audiophile cliché but she is a most established artist, has excellent recordings and is passed her hay day so I view her as nothing less than a pillar of contemporary jazz. Listening to Diana Krall – The Very Best Of (LP, Verve 0602517468313) and the opening track S Wonderful, Krall’s voice was liquid and flowing, possessing abundant detail, yet presented modestly. The smoky-like sweet character of her voice came through possessing a sense of ease and communicating the relaxed flow of the melody. Cymbal strikes displayed an authentic airy metallic character as they splashed. Each strike was delivered with micro dynamics that gave a real sense of touch and feel to the music. Upright bass plucks were very tactile, the strings resonating with an elastic character which caught my attention.
On the track, Peel Me A Grape from the same album, the aura around her voice was apparent, along with the echo within the recording. Details within the music were easily heard but didn’t jump out in an extroverted manner, rather were integrated, and holistically presented, giving authenticity to the performance. I noted the clarity in the soundstage and the separation of the instruments; however, there was also a roundness and holographic-like quality to the presentation that provided a sense of body. The double bass on this track too possessed a great sense of tactile feel with the plucking viscerally delivered, communicating the finger pressure on strings adeptly.
Jumping to something totally different, I put on Stone Temple Pilots – MTV Unplugged 1993 album (LP, DOR DOR2065H) and the song Plush. The strums of the flanking acoustic guitars assaulted with their dynamics, their resonance fully developed and revealing of the instrument timbre. The percussion on the song was ever-so-convincingly played – from the bongos to the shaker and the tambourine. The sense of naturalness and authenticity carried through to the vocals with the detail making evident the mic as well as the reverb. Applause near the close of the track was thrillingly lifelike in both transparency and detail, serving to create an effective illusion of being seated among the audience. The wide soundstage only added to the live effect.
Talking Heads album Stop Making Sense (LP, SIRE 9251861) from a 1984 original pressing was an amazing aural experience with the Rega P10 & Apheta 3 tracking through the grooves. On the opening track, Psycho Killer the attack of the guitars was just remarkable, the hard pick like strums superbly tight and tenacious, with the reverb expressed so vividly it thoroughly emersed me within the soundscape. David Byrne’s voice was projected with dynamism and did not embellish the voice to hide the mic, rather it was evident this was a live recording recorded through the mic. Percussion on this song was explosively quick, the transients presented light lightning and giving a sledgehammer like impression to the dynamics. All-in-all, the Rega P10 with Apheta 3 was able to deliver the music from the grooves of this LP with a level of realism I’ve not previously experienced…just fantastic!
Scarecrow (LP, Riva RVLS 7505) was another original pressing LP that I listened to, from John Cougar Mellencamp. Listening to the Rega Planar 10 track this platter, John’s voice was authentically gritty, clear, and implicitly intelligible. The percussion was phenomenally expressive, having speed and dynamism as well as timbral purity. The voice and guitar on following track Grandma’s Theme was profoundly realistic; however, it was the song Small Town that blew me away with the hard-hitting slam of the drum strikes, that demonstrated agility, weight, and impact but also delicacy and tonal trueness in the playing of the harmonica.
Conclusion
The Rega Planar 10 (P10) with Apheta 3 cartridge is spectacular turntable setup. It possesses the ability to dig deep into the grooves and relay the music with honesty and realism in a thrilling manner. Its tonal balance is neutral, yet it has a muscular bottom end, unembellished midrange and extended, finessed and exacting top end. Given that the P10 essentially sits within the Goldilocks zone of tone, it will be able to deliver well with all music genres.
Dynamics and transient speed are a top quality but that should not take anything away from how complete the sound is from the Rega P10 with Apheta 3. If I must say that anything is lacking that would be only the absence of eccentricities and overemphasis, which you find in a lot of flavour-of-the-day turntables…this is something the P10 is not.
The P10 is a beautiful clean and modern-contemporary styled turntable, while the Apheta 3 with its angular form and transparent body is the perfect sexy partner to the P10. Some may doubt the performance and capability of the P10 given its svelte stature…don’t make that mistake. The Rega Planar 10 is truly a reference class turntable and I’m so impressed…the cheque is paid.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Price: 8 395 $ (without any cartridge)
Warranty: the Rega P10 and the Apheta 3 cartridge both come with a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty.
https://www.rega.co.uk/
