{"id":43772,"date":"2025-02-10T16:56:44","date_gmt":"2025-02-10T21:56:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/?p=43772"},"modified":"2025-02-10T16:57:52","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T21:57:52","slug":"platine-vinyle-planar-10-et-cellule-apheta-3-de-rega-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/en\/platine-vinyle-planar-10-et-cellule-apheta-3-de-rega-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Planar 10 Turntable and Apheta 3 Cartridge by Rega"},"content":{"rendered":"

Innovation to maximize performance!<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In 2023, the British audio product manufacturer Rega Research Limited<\/strong> (Rega<\/strong>) achieved its milestone 50th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary. Over a half decade, founder Roy Gandy<\/strong> has constantly shown innovation in Rega<\/strong>\u2019s analog products\u00a0\u2013 typically taking his own unique route to deliver the highest performance in an efficient and economical manner. The pinnacle of Rega<\/strong>\u2019s turntables was released in 2017\u00a0– the Rega<\/strong> Naiad<\/em> (orig. \u00a329,999). The Naiad<\/em>, a \u2018skunkworks\u2019 limited edition (50\u00a0units) turntable is the culmination of seven years of intensive research and development. Fortunately, Rega<\/strong> trickled down its Naiad<\/em> innovations into a full production turntable, the RP10<\/em> in\u00a02015, before the Naiad<\/em> was even released.<\/p>\n

In\u00a02019, Rega<\/strong> released its successor to the RP10<\/em>, the Reference<\/em> class Planar\u00a010<\/em> (P10<\/em>), which at the time became the closest embodiment of the Naiad<\/em>. Yet, in September 2023, Rega<\/strong> released another Reference<\/em> class turntable, the Naia<\/em>, that has taken the place of top dog full-production turntable in the Rega<\/strong> stable, sitting only beneath the limited-edition Naiad<\/em>. For perspective, the Naia<\/em> turntable without cartridge is CAD\u00a0$17,995, while a naked Planar\u00a010<\/em> is CAD\u00a0$8,395 and the king-of-the-hill Rega<\/strong> Naiad<\/em>, is \u00a329,999 or about CAD\u00a0$54,000 based on current exchange.<\/p>\n

You might ask, why review the Planar\u00a010, if the Naia<\/em> is now arguably the greatest full production model that Rega<\/strong> produces? Well, some of us, like myself, strive for the highest performance but have limited means. The Rega<\/strong>\u00a0P10<\/em> packaged with Rega<\/strong> Apheta<\/em>\u00a03 MC<\/em> cartridge, CAD\u00a0$9,999, is a table I just might be able to afford; however, as tempting as the Naia<\/em> might be, it\u2019s just not within my present reach to own. Yes, we audio reviewers constantly evaluate products that we may never afford but as I\u2019ve been in search for a new reference table, the P10<\/em> was one on my short list for audition given its forward-thinking design, sleek form and reputed performance\/value.
\n\"\"<\/a>Design<\/span>
\n<\/strong>The Rega<\/strong> P10<\/em> follows in the tradition of Rega<\/strong> turntables being a machine of minimalist design. On this front, Rega<\/strong> turntables remind me of Formula<\/strong> 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<\/strong>\u2019s 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<\/strong>, Paul Messenger<\/strong> & Roy Gandy<\/strong>, called \u2018A Vibration Measuring Machine<\/em>\u2019 that you can order from Rega<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Plinth<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe plinth of the P10<\/em> is a sandwich, skeletal construction that employs an ultra-lightweight Tancast\u00a08<\/em> polyurethane foam core, which was developed for aerospace. The Tancast\u00a08 core is sandwiched between two layers of high-pressure laminate (HPL<\/em>), providing extreme rigidity, yet lightweight. In fact, the P10<\/em> plinth is 30\u00a0% that of the former RP10<\/em>, while delivering even greater rigidity.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Double Brace (DB)<\/strong><\/span>Rega<\/strong> employs its double-bracing (DB<\/em>) technology in the P10<\/em>. The DB<\/em> consists of a ceramic top brace and phenolic resin bottom brace that extend from the tonearm base to the main hub bearing providing a \u2018stressed beam assembly\u2019. The result is an overall lighter plinth with the highest rigidity, avoiding what Rega<\/strong> states as, \u2026the issue of mass absorption and unwanted energy transmission<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Ceramic Platter<\/span>
\n<\/strong>The P10<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Low-Mass Bearing<\/span>
\n<\/strong>The P10<\/em> 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\u00a0\/\u00a0of build up within the plinth.<\/p>\n

24\u00a0V Motor<\/span>
\n<\/strong>The motor within the P10<\/em> is the latest 24\u00a0V, synchronous, low vibration design and is mounted using a method from the Naiad<\/em>, 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.<\/p>\n

EBLT Drive Belt<\/span>
\n<\/strong>The EBLT<\/em> drive belt used in the P10<\/em> uses a new bespoke rubber compound and specialised curing system that took three years to develop but that was not enough. Rega<\/strong> engaged a Formula\u00a01<\/em> engine manufacturer to perfect the belt\u2019s dimensional consistency and roundness. Materials and form combined, the EBLT<\/em> belt facilitates near-perfect speed stability.<\/p>\n

RB3000 Tonearm<\/span>
\n<\/strong>The RB3000<\/em> is the result of three years of developing a new manufacturing process that allows a micron-tolerance bearing fit. The RB3000<\/em> 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\u00a0mm), movement is friction-free with no play. The Rega<\/strong> arm tube is hand polished and is designed to redistribute its minimum mass to reduce stresses and resonances beyond any of its predecessors.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

PL10 PS Power Supply<\/span>
\n<\/strong>A robust and substantial separate power supply (PL10<\/em> PS<\/em>) 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<\/em> (D<\/strong>igital S<\/strong>ignal P<\/strong>rocessing) generator developed around a high stability crystal for the highest speed accuracy with a near perfect<\/em> sinusoidal waveform deliver to power the 24\u00a0V motor. The PL10<\/em> PS<\/em> is also factory adjusted to perfectly match the specific motor in the PL10<\/em> it accompanies; this custom tuning ensures maximum performance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Apheta 3 MC Cartridge<\/span>
\n<\/strong>The Rega<\/strong> Apheta\u00a03<\/em> is a Moving Coil<\/em> (MC<\/em>) cartridge that is second only to the Aphelion\u00a02<\/em> in Rega<\/strong>\u2019s stable of cartridges. It is an undamped (no tie wire) ultra-low mass design with a unique rhomboid pivot for the cantilever and Rega<\/strong> 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<\/strong> purports that the Apheta\u00a03<\/em> yields a super clear top end along with firm and tight bass that set Rega<\/strong> MC<\/em> cartridges apart from others. Key aspects include a fine line profile nude diamond stylus with tracking pressure: 1.9\u00a0– 2.0\u00a0g; input load impedance: 100\u00a0\u03a9; output impedance: 10\u00a0\u03a9; capacitance: 1000\u00a0pF; nominal output voltage: 350\u00a0\u03bcV; channel balance: \u2265\u00a020\u00a0\u03bcV; separation: \u2265\u00a0-29\u00a0dB; and mass of 6\u00a0g.<\/p>\n

Build and Finish<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Colour choices are between Polaris grey<\/em> and a new white finish, with my review sample arriving in white. The RP10<\/em> is very sleek and simple and in white had me thinking Star Wars Stormtroopers<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 they were British too, weren\u2019t they?<\/p>\n

The Made in England P10<\/em> has impeccable fit and finish. There were some minor buffing marks on the tonearm, but I\u2019d 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<\/em> PS<\/em> had a solid and hefty feel and complemented the fine finish of the P10<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Unboxing & Setup<\/span>
\n<\/strong>The P10<\/em> comes very well packed and in my case with Apheta\u00a03<\/em>, mounted and aligned. A single box contains two within: one for the power supply and the other with the P10<\/em>. 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\u00a0minutes.<\/p>\n

Installation<\/strong><\/span>
\nI set the P10<\/em> upon my Quadraspire<\/strong> SV3<\/em> and connected it to my Gold Note<\/strong> PH-10<\/em> & PSU-10<\/em> phonostage. I used my Bryston<\/strong> BR20<\/em> preamp\u00a0\/ streamer\u00a0\/\u00a0DAC with Bryston<\/strong> 7B3<\/sup><\/em> monoblocks and both my Focal<\/strong> Electra 1008 Be\u00a0II<\/em> and Dynaudio<\/strong> C2 Signature<\/em> loudspeakers.
\n
\nListening<\/span>
\n<\/strong>I began by listening with Diana Krall<\/strong>. Some may consider her music audiophile clich\u00e9<\/em> 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\u00a0\u2013 The Very Best Of<\/em> (LP, Verve 0602517468313) and the opening track S Wonderful<\/em>, Krall<\/strong>\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

On the track, Peel Me A Grape<\/em> 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Jumping to something totally different, I put on Stone Temple Pilots<\/strong>\u00a0– MTV Unplugged 1993<\/em> album (LP, DOR DOR2065H) and the song Plush<\/em>. 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\u00a0\u2013 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<\/em> effect.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Talking Heads<\/strong> album Stop Making Sense<\/em> (LP, SIRE 9251861) from a 1984 original pressing was an amazing aural experience with the Rega<\/strong> P10<\/em> & Apheta\u00a03<\/em> tracking through the grooves. On the opening track, Psycho Killer<\/em> 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<\/strong>\u2019s voice was projected with dynamism and did not embellish the voice to hide the mic, rather it was evident this was a live<\/em> 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<\/strong> P10<\/em> with Apheta\u00a03<\/em> was able to deliver the music from the grooves of this LP with a level of realism I\u2019ve not previously experienced\u2026just fantastic!<\/p>\n

Scarecrow<\/em> (LP, Riva RVLS 7505) was another original pressing LP that I listened to, from John Cougar Mellencamp<\/strong>. Listening to the Rega<\/strong> Planar\u00a010<\/em> track this platter, John<\/strong>\u2019s 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\u2019s Theme<\/em> was profoundly realistic; however, it was the song Small Town<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/span>
\n<\/strong>The Rega<\/strong> Planar\u00a010<\/em> (P10) with Apheta\u00a03<\/em> 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<\/em> essentially sits within the Goldilocks zone of tone, it will be able to deliver well with all music genres.
\n\"\"<\/a>
\nDynamics and transient speed are a top quality but that should not take anything away from how complete the sound is from the Rega<\/strong> P10<\/em> with Apheta\u00a03<\/em>. 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\u2026this is something the P10<\/em> is not.<\/p>\n

The P10<\/em> is a beautiful clean and modern-contemporary styled turntable, while the Apheta\u00a03<\/em> with its angular form and transparent body is the perfect sexy partner to the P10<\/em>. Some may doubt the performance and capability of the P10<\/em> given its svelte stature\u2026don\u2019t make that mistake. The Rega<\/strong> Planar\u00a010<\/em> is truly a reference class turntable and I\u2019m so impressed\u2026the cheque is paid.<\/p>\n

GENERAL<\/strong> INFORMATION<\/strong>
\nPrice: 8\u00a0395\u00a0$ (without any cartridge)
\nWarranty: the Rega<\/strong> P10<\/em> and the Apheta\u00a03<\/em> cartridge both come with a manufacturer\u2019s lifetime warranty.
\nhttps:\/\/www.rega.co.uk\/<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Innovation to maximize performance! In 2023, the British audio product manufacturer Rega Research Limited (Rega) achieved its milestone 50th\u00a0anniversary. Over a half decade, founder Roy Gandy has constantly shown innovation in Rega\u2019s analog products\u00a0\u2013 typically taking his own unique route to deliver the highest performance in an efficient and economical manner. The pinnacle of Rega\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":154670,"featured_media":43756,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2723,2725],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43772","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hifi","category-whats-new","entry","has-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43772","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/154670"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43772"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43772\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43779,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43772\/revisions\/43779"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43772"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43772"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43772"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}