Rega Planar 8 Turntable
Featuring the RB880 precision tonearm, super flywheel effect triple-layer glass platter, and double brace technology, the Planar 8 is built around an ultra-light Tancast 8 foam core plinth with custom-matched Neo PSU and advanced EBLT drive belt. The Planar 8 now includes the new-look NEO MK2 power supply as standard and comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.
Engineering Masterclass
Inspired by Rega’s ultimate turntable, the ‘Naiad’, the Planar 8 was engineered from the ground up to capture the essence of its predecessor while offering unprecedented performance at its price point. Designed to extract the maximum detail from vinyl, it features advanced materials and engineering, such as the ultra-light Tancast 8 foam core plinth, RB880 tonearm, and Neo PSU, all contributing to a level of performance that surpasses expectations. The outer frame has been removed to reduce mass, and a stylish, removable, single-piece dust cover is now included.
Ultra-Lightweight Plinth
The Planar 8 is the second Rega turntable constructed using the ultra-light Tancast 8 polyurethane foam core, a material developed for the aerospace industry, sandwiched between two layers of high-pressure laminate (HPL). This skeletal plinth is 30% lighter than the original RP8, offering increased rigidity and enhanced performance.
Double Brace Technology
Rega’s double brace technology, incorporating phenolic resin braces between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing, creates a structurally sound “stressed beam” assembly. This design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonances, reducing unnatural distortions and enhancing the purity of the sound.
RB880 Tonearm
The RB880 tonearm introduces an improved vertical bearing assembly made from aluminum and stainless steel, providing exceptional stability and rigidity. The tonearm features a preloaded zero-tolerance bearing assembly for friction-free movement and is equipped with a thinner stainless steel balance weight for greater adjustability and a redesigned low-capacitance phono cable for optimal connectivity.
EBLT Drive Belts
Rega has developed a bespoke rubber compound for the new EBLT drive belts, offering superior consistency and modulus for perfect speed stability. These belts are manufactured using state-of-the-art tools to ensure they are perfectly round and dimensionally accurate.
Hub Bearing Assembly
The Planar 8 features a new low-mass central bearing assembly with a single-piece machined aluminum sub-platter and a hardened tool steel spindle running inside a custom brass housing, designed to eliminate unwanted energy transfer.
Super Flywheel Effect Triple-Layer Glass Platter
The three-piece laminated glass platter, developed in collaboration with a British glass engineering company, uses two different high-quality Pilkington glasses. This design keeps mass concentrated at the outer rim, creating a flywheel effect while maintaining lightness and stiffness in the inner section.
24 V Low Noise Motor Assembly
The Planar 8’s motor is mounted using a technique derived from the Naiad turntable, reducing vibration and ensuring superior drive from the EBLT drive belts. Each motor is hand-tuned to match its custom Neo power supply for optimized anti-vibration performance.
Planar 8 User Manual
