The Rega Planar 3 is a precision belt-drive turntable designed around Rega's lightweight, rigid construction philosophy. This configuration is fitted with the Ortofon 2M Red moving magnet cartridge and Rega's hand-assembled RB330 tonearm. With its 24 V low-noise motor, Reference EBLT drive belt, 12 mm Optiwhite glass platter and double-brace plinth construction, the Planar 3 provides a stable and controlled platform for high-quality analogue playback.
The RB330 tonearm is hand assembled by Rega and engineered using precision CAD and CAM design techniques. Its redesigned bearing housing and tonearm structure are designed to minimise unwanted resonance while maintaining accurate and low-friction cartridge tracking.
| Tonearm | Rega RB330 |
|---|---|
| Construction | Precision-Engineered Aluminium |
| Bearing System | High-Precision Low-Friction Bearings |
| Assembly | Hand Assembled |
The Ortofon 2M Red is a moving magnet cartridge designed for detailed and dynamic vinyl playback. It uses an elliptical diamond stylus and is factory fitted to the RB330 tonearm in this configuration.
| Cartridge | Ortofon 2M Red |
|---|---|
| Type | Moving Magnet (MM) |
| Stylus | Elliptical Diamond |
| Tracking Force | 1.8 g Recommended |
| Output Voltage | 5.5 mV at 1 kHz |
| Cartridge Weight | 7.2 g |
The Planar 3 uses a 24 V low-noise, low-vibration synchronous motor designed to provide stable platter rotation while reducing unwanted mechanical vibration. The motor drives the sub-platter through Rega's Reference EBLT drive belt.
| Motor | 24 V Low-Noise Synchronous Motor |
|---|---|
| Drive Method | Belt Drive |
| Drive Belt | Reference EBLT |
| Speeds | 33⅓ RPM / 45 RPM |
A 12 mm Optiwhite polished glass platter provides a rigid and stable platform for the record. The glass construction offers high rigidity and a clean, neutral appearance while contributing to the overall mechanical stability of the turntable.
The Planar 3 incorporates Rega's double-brace technology, reinforcing the critical area between the tonearm mounting point and the main bearing. This increases structural rigidity and helps minimise unwanted energy storage within the plinth.
| Plinth | High-Rigidity Lightweight Construction |
|---|---|
| Reinforcement | Double-Brace Technology |
| Critical Area | Tonearm Mount to Main Bearing |
The Planar 3 uses Rega's precision brass main bearing assembly. The bearing is designed to maintain accurate platter rotation while reducing unwanted mechanical stress and energy transfer through the main bearing.
The Rega Planar 3 with Ortofon 2M Red does not include a built-in phono stage. Because the Ortofon 2M Red is a moving magnet cartridge, the turntable must be connected to a compatible MM phono pre-amplifier or an amplifier/receiver with a dedicated MM phono input before connecting to a standard line-level input.
| Cartridge Type | Moving Magnet (MM) |
|---|---|
| Built-In Phono Stage | No |
| Required | MM Phono Pre-Amplifier |
| Direct Line-Level Connection | Not Without a Phono Stage |
The Planar 3 is available in Rega's selected finish options, allowing it to integrate with a wide range of hi-fi systems and listening-room interiors. Finish availability may vary by market and production configuration.
The turntable provides a standard analogue phono output from the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. The signal should be connected to an external MM phono stage or a dedicated MM phono input on a compatible amplifier.
| Audio Output | RCA / Phono |
|---|---|
| Phono Stage | External MM Phono Stage Required |
| Cartridge | Ortofon 2M Red MM |
| Width | 447 mm / 44.7 cm |
|---|---|
| Height | 117 mm / 11.7 cm |
| Depth | 360 mm / 36 cm |
| Turntable Weight | 6.0 kg |