Rega take a different and arguably more scientific approach to turntable engineering than many manufacturers. They don’t talk about the romance of vinyl, focusing instead on building what they call vibrationmeasuring machines. That, ultimately, is what a record player is – a device for reading the modulations or vibrations that have been cut into a groove and pressed into vinyl.
The company likes to stick to successful model names: there has been a Planar 3 in the range for over 40 years, which could seem confusing when the new Planar 8 comes along and is very different to its predecessor the RP8. The Planar 8 is in fact more closely related to Rega’s range-topping Naiad than the model it succeeds – and the Naiad costs more than £25,000 (and there’s a waiting list). The Planar 8 has a small skeletal plinth made of foam-cored phenolic laminate that is extremely rigid yet very lightweight.
Rega’s engineers cut away all the parts that aren’t essential for supporting the arm, bearing and motor and put the material where it will provide maximum support for those fundamental components. What mass there is is found in the glass platter, a three-layer laminate with the bottom two layers forming rings that create a flywheel effect. It’s supported by an aluminium sub-platter, which in turn sits on the main bearing; drive is provided by a motor placed close to this inner hub and attached by two short belts. The motor is driven by the Neo power supply, a separate box with push buttons for 33.3 and 45rpm that offers fine tuning of speed should you feel the need.