Despite a number of modifications to the Planar 1, Rega stays true to its sound: a spritely, entertaining turntable with no obvious flaws
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Hi Fi Reviews
Product Description
ZEN Phono: Fall in love with your LPs all over again.
MM/MC from 36dB >72dB gain
Super-silent noise floor -151dBV
Precise RIAA with Balanced output, performance comparable to +$1k phono stages
Balanced circuitry
AI sub-sonic filter - addresses warp without eliminating bass or causing phase issues
Pedigree. Performance. Peerless. The ZEN Phono is an entry level phono stage with a difference. Normally, entry level phono stages add excessive noise that hinders musical enjoyment. The iFi ZEN Phono is an exception to the rule due to its trickle-down know-how from AMR/iFi phono pre-amps.
First and foremost, the noise floor is a whisper-quiet – 90/96dB (36/60dB, BAL 2V/SE 1V, A-weighted) on MM/MC respectively.
It can also handle MM/MC cartridges from <0.25mV to >2mV to bring true high-end performance and flexibility to the entry sector.
Hissless Whisper Flagship phono amplifiers create their own power supply off the mains, like a mains regenerator. This is fundamental to a well-designed phono stage. Without this, it will struggle to amplify the signal without added noise. This is why phono stages ‘hiss’ so annoyingly.
Unusually, the ZEN Phono has its own high-tech clean power supply. It creates a 1.2MHz power supply (20,000x mains frequency of 60Hz). In this circuit, a 10uF filtering capacitor = 200,000uF at lower, audible frequencies. With serious levels of noise filtration, it performs at the level of well-designed LC filtering circuits as found in classic tube amplifiers. Further, located on its own ‘island’ PCB, it is isolated so there is no noise pollution of the analogue stage. It outputs super clean +/- 12V DC.
Measured EIN (Equivalent Input Noise) is -151dBV. It is 20dBV quieter than some Stereophile Class A+ phonos which are -131dBV.
Mil-spec RIAA The EQ circuit uses multiple TDK C0G capacitors in parallel. This is for best stability and the least distortion. They beat polystyrene capacitors and are close to Teflon.
Already using the lowest tolerance capacitors combined with multiples in parallel, tolerance is exponentially improved by the square root of the number of capacitors. This is quite a natty circuit design.
The RIAA EQ tolerance level (+/- 0.15dB) is impressive as it is en par with hand-selected capacitors!
Super sub-sonic The intelligent sub-sonic filter is from the iPhono range and is quite special. Normal sub-sonic filters remove ‘rumble’ AND bass and cause phase issues. iFi's unique AI phono sub-sonic filter removes ‘rumble’ only.
Rega Planar 1 Turntable with MM Cartridge
EBLT Advanced drive belt fitted as standard
RB110 tonearm with ultra-low friction play bearings
Factory fitted Carbon moving magnet cartridge
Phenolic resin, flywheel effect platter
High quality, 24 V low noise synchronous motor
Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects
Performance Beyond Price The new Planar 1 is the most user-friendly Rega turntable. Now with preset bias force on the brand new RB110 tonearm, the Planar 1 can be set up in seconds after unpacking. Simply slide the balance weight onto the rear of the tonearm as far as it will go, remove the stylus guard and start spinning your favorite vinyl.
Every single aspect of the Planar 1 has been meticulously designed to improve performance. For the first time, the Planar 1 is now running a 24v, low noise, synchronous motor to reduce vibration transfer combined with the brand new RB110 tonearm fitted with Rega's bespoke zero play bearings. Only sharing the drive belt, sub platter and dust cover from the outgoing RP1.
Tonearm Brand new RB110 tonearm built with the new Rega designed, bespoke, zero play bearings with ultra-low friction performance (Patent Pending). New bias assembly and integrated arm clip. It includes automatic bias adjustment negating the need for the user to set bias which makes this the most ‘Plug & Play’ turntable ever manufactured by Rega. Features ergonomically re-designed and stiffer headshell for improved usability and appearance.
24v synchronous motor The first entry level Rega turntable to use a 24v, synchronous AC motor with a new motor PCB and aluminum pulley offering low noise and better speed stability.
Plinth Features brand new Thermoset, gloss laminated plinth with vastly improved appearance and new ergonomically positioned on/off switch located on the underside. Two beautiful plinth finishes available, gloss black and gloss white.
Central Bearing housing Re-designed brass main bearing offers improved fit and removes stress on the bearing itself while minimizing the transfer of potential energy. (Patent pending).
Platter Features brand new 23mm, higher mass, phenolic platter with improved flywheel effect for improved speed stability.