Rega Planar 3 RS
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Overview
The High Notes

Legendary Rega Sound + Major Value

ND5 Cartridge Delivers Stunning Performance

Neo MKII PSU & Speed Precision
This article is on the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition turntable. Rega has been one of our favorite turntable brands at Audio Advice for a long time. The Planar 3 is considered by many to be the best value in their line. In 2023, for their 50th birthday, Rega did an anniversary edition of the Planar 3 that included several upgrades with a special price on the package. The catch was that this unit would only be available in 2023. It turned out to be just a super value turntable, and we were very sad to see it go. We are happy to announce that the Rega 3 RS Edition brings back the spirit of the anniversary edition in what may be an even better value! In this article, we will review the new Planar 3 RS to help you determine if it might be a great choice for your music system.

There are many reasons Rega turntables are so popular at Audio Advice. They are simple, elegant, and built with real engineering. Since 1973, Rega has been building products in the Southend-on-Sea facility in the UK. What started as one man with Roy Gandy has now grown to over 100 employees. They even source about 85% of their raw materials from UK suppliers.
They are obsessed with manufacturing perfection and pay a lot of attention to tolerances, accuracy, and special materials. The build quality certainly shows through with their longevity. We still have customers bringing in 40 year and older turntables into our stores that just need a minor tuneup, and they are back in business for another decade.
Like the Planar 3 50th Anniversary Edition, the Planar 3 RS Edition is close in price to the standard Planar 3. When you see all you get, you probably agree with us that this is a no-brainer if you are considering a Planar 3, and it’s probably one of the best values in turntables on the market today.


What Do You Get in the Planar 3 RS Turntable?
The Planar 3 RS turntable includes Rega’s RB330 tonearm. The RB330 has fantastic bearings and some of the tightest tolerances you will see for its price range. Plus, it’s designed to be a perfect match for any Rega phono cartridge.
Rega spent over 10 years developing a new line of moving magnet phono cartridges called the ND series. These are the first moving magnet phono cartridges to use Neodymium magnets. The new ND models are patent pending with tons of new high tech they have learned over the decades to extract more information from your record grooves. This is one of the big differences between the Anniversary Planar 3 and the new RS, as the RS comes with the middle model ND5 cartridge.
Each ND5 is hand-built by expert Rega technicians for precision performance. It features a true elliptical nude stylus, for which Rega actually uses a grinding process to get the stylus to the perfect shape. A redesigned generator delivers exceptional channel balance, while the optimized pole gap enhances linearity and minimizes crosstalk, resulting in a noticeably wider soundstage. They even wind the coils inside the cartridge themselves using tightly wound 38-micron wire. This new lower inductance and impedance generator produces an outstanding high-frequency response for a moving magnet cartridge. Finally, they took some tech from their higher-end moving coil cartridges and used a glass-filled PPS body, which is both lightweight and rigid.
When a company puts 10 years into developing a new design, you can bet the farm the improvement is quite significant, which we heard the first time we played around with the new ND5.
Rega has always had packages where you can save some money if you buy a Rega phono cartridge and turntable together. The standard Planar 3 gives you the option of the ND5 from their new ND series of cartridges.
Another thing we love about all of the better Rega cartridges is their three-point mounting system. Most phono cartridges just have two points, and you always wonder if you mounted the cartridge perfectly square, even when using a gauge. Rega’s three-point system takes the guesswork out, as it will be perfect every time when you install it on a Rega tonearm. With the Planar 3 series, the table comes with the cartridge pre-fitting and tested from their factory in the UK.
If you’ve seen a Rega turntable, you’ve likely noticed the iconic float glass platter. Rega has been refining this design for over 50 years, starting with their very first models. The current Planar 3 features a 12mm polished opti-white float glass platter chosen for its superb rotational stability. This helps give it that perfect pitch, which helps you better hear the rhythm and pacing in your music, which has helped make Rega famous.
Rega’s double brace technology, initially developed for their higher-end models, is now a key part of the standard Planar 3. It couples the tonearm mount and main bearing with a lightweight aluminum brace, reinforcing rigidity exactly where it matters.
These are all the things in common with the Planar 3 and the Planar 3 RS. Currently, the Planar 3 with an ND5 is $1595. The Planar 3 RS is $1795, so let's see all the extras you get for $200.

Rega Planar 3 50th Anniversary Edition Extras
Tuned Neo PSU MKII
Rega introduced an external speed control unit with the Planar 6 turntable called the Neo PSU. This lets you quickly switch from 33 to 45 with the push of a button and offers fine-tuning of the speed. They later improved this to the Neo MKII. It also comes in a nice case that matches the look of other Rega audio gear.
If you know much about audio, external power supplies and controllers usually add another level of performance to gear, which is no exception with the Neo MKII.
The Neo MKII uses technology to help reduce motor vibrations and provide a more consistent speed. On the Planar 3 RS, the motor and Neo MKII are hand-tuned by an engineer on each one to reduce motor vibrations.
This is an option available as an upgrade to the regular Planar 3, and most people hear a pretty big difference when they add one. It takes the sound people love about Rega, which is that intimate, live sound, and moves it up a notch.
The Neo MK II PSU currently sells for $445 if you buy it as an option for a Planar 3, but it is included with the new Planar 3 RS.
CNC Machined Drive Pulley
Rega developed a special CNC machined motor drive pulley for the Planar 6. This is even more precise in shape than the standard Planar 3 pulley. And as you guessed, it comes standard with the Planar 3 RS. Rega does not sell this separately, but if we had to take a guess, we think it would be around $100.
Reference EBLT Drive Belt
A while back, Rega went on a quest to develop a new type of belt for their turntables. When you think about it, this is a really key part that could cause speed inconsistencies if the belt stretched or got out of shape. Like they usually do, they took this to the extreme and worked with a team of chemists to find a new belt material. Then, they designed their own special cutting machine to manufacture the belts.
After each belt gets this precision cut, it is frozen cryogenically and barrelled to remove any possible remnants from the cutting process. They want this belt to be as round as possible. Getting to this level of perfection means you will have better speed, accuracy, and stability. Plus, they found out this new material lasts 50% longer than their older type, lowering your maintenance costs.
There are two different versions of this new EBLT drive belt: the Advanced model and the Reference model. The Reference one gets a more expensive curing process, producing an even more perfectly round belt.
The current Rega Planar 3 comes with the Advanced model, and if you want to buy the Reference belt as an upgrade, it costs $75.
If you are reading between the lines, you have probably figured out the Planar 3 RS comes with the Reference belt.
New Aluminum Skin
The Planar 3 RS gets a never-before-seen finish on a Rega turntable, dark brushed aluminum. This thin skin covers their HPL laminated plinth and adds an extra level of rigidity compared to laminate. Plus, it looks super cool! Like the higher-end models, you also get a smoked dust cover with the Planar 3 RS.
We are not really sure what the extra cost of the aluminum skin is, but we do know this special dust cover is an option for the Planar 3 and sells for $135.
So let’s get out our calculator. $445 for the Neo MKII, $100 for the pulley, $75 for the belt, $135 for the dust cover and an unknown for the better plinth. Those add up to at least $755 in upgrades for only $200 more! As we said, it is a no-brainer if you are considering the Planar 3 and also what has to be one of the best deals out there in turntables. Our only wish would be if they offered the Planar 3 RS with more cartridge options as part of the package as it is so good, many people might want to opt for the Rega ND7 or even the Ania moving coil.


How Does the Planar 3 RS Turntable Sound?
We had a chance to compare the Planar 3 RS to the standard Planar 3. We have to say, the ND5, which is on both of them, makes more of an improvement than anything else when we think about how the older cartridges sounded. It's also getting very good press and being lauded as the best moving magnet in its price range. It is clearer, tracks better, is more dynamic, and to us, has less surface noise.
When comparing the two, we felt the sound just flowed better with a more relaxed feeling. The best turntables in the world strive for extreme speed consistency, which is what we think makes a recording sound more like live music. You get that sense of excitement and can better hear what the musicians are trying to portray. Almost all of the upgrades in the Planar 3 RS Edition over the standard Planar 3 are about better speed consistency. That is what we heard when comparing the two, just more of that live feeling. We even felt there might be a tiny bit more bass impact due to the aluminum skin, but we also may have been fooling ourselves as they were very close there.

Overall Recommendation
We are so happy Rega decided to revive the special deal the 50th Anniversary table was with the new Planar 3 RS. With the ND5, it is much better than the 50th for only $100 more. Now, if you are reading this and own a 50th Anniversary, we are not suggesting you go sell it and buy this one, but keep good track of the hours on your stylus and, when it is time for a new one, upgrade to the ND5. This is one heck of a great turntable and if you decide to become a Rega owner with the Planar 3 RS Edition, it will give you decades of musical enjoyment.
Also, please keep in mind Audio Advice has helped thousands of music lovers get the best performance from their Rega turntables. When you purchase from Audio Advice, you get all of our experience behind you to help with any questions you may have.
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Details & Specs
Optimizing An Icon
Rega has pioneered the use of lightweight, ultra rigid plinths over many years. The use of lightweight particulate core with a highly rigid phenolic resin skin became the foundation of the high level of performance achieved by the now iconic original Planar range.
The new Planar 3 RS Edition takes this design philosophy to the next level using a High Pressure Laminate, (HPL) usually reserved for the Planar 6, Planar 8, and Planar 10 models for increased rigidity. In addition, this premium HPL has a stunning brushed metal dark aluminum skin with a beautiful satin finish. You will also find the double brace system mounted specifically where the increased rigidity is required (between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing) which forms a structurally sound “stressed beam” assembly.
Nd5 Moving Magnet Cartridge
Each Nd5 is meticulously hand-made by Rega's highly skilled technicians. The stylus profile is a perfect elliptical nude diamond. This is a true ellipse created by an elliptical grinding process made from polycrystalline manmade diamond. The design uses brand new generator geometry with perfect symmetry to achieve accurate channel balance. The Nd5 also has an optimized pole gap for superior linearity and cross talk characteristics. This provides a far wider soundstage than the previous models. This new cartridge is created with miniaturized parallel coils which are wound in-house utilizing 38-micron wire with just 1275 turns. This produces a low inductance, low impedance generator giving vastly improved high frequency response. In keeping with their commitment to sustainability, the Nd range is supplied in 100% recyclable packaging.
Plinth
Brushed dark aluminum skinned HPL laminated plinth for improved rigidity.
Motor
24 V low noise low voltage precision motor and PCB assembly, fitted with a custom CNC machined aluminum pulley.
Neo MK2 PSU
The Neo MK2 PSU is an advanced turntable power supply providing user controllable fine speed adjustment, an advanced anti-vibration motor circuit, and the convenience of electronic speed change. The Neo MK2 reduces motor noise, improves speed stability, and rotational speed accuracy.
Double brace technology
3 mm phenolic bottom brace and metalized skin phenolic top brace. The Planar 3 RS Editions plinth is strengthened further using Rega's double brace system. Mounted specifically where the increased rigidity is required (between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing) this forms a structurally sound “stressed beam” assembly. This rigid plinth design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonance, which will add unnatural distortions to the music. Equally, heavier mass can transfer more unwanted energy, such as motor or bearing noise directly into the rotating record. The use of braces instead of the complete skin allows double thickness phenolic resin in these key areas which directly addresses the issue of mass absorption and unwanted energy transmission.
Central bearing
Rega designed patented brass main hub central bearing, improved fit, and construction reducing stress on the bearing itself.
Tonearm
The RB330 tonearm was designed using the latest 3D CAD & CAM technology and is the culmination of more than 40 years of tonearm design experience. Featuring their latest bearing housing and tonearm tube designed using intelligent redistribution of mass ensures this arm will exhibit fewer points of possible resonance. Extreme stability, zero play in the bearings, and almost friction free movement from the new high precision bearing assemblies guarantees to gather more information from your vinyl than ever before.
Model | Planar 3 RS |
---|---|
Tonearm | Hand assembled RB330 precision tonearm |
Motor | 24 V low noise motor |
Platter | 12 mm glass polished edge |
Connectivity | RCA - Phono |
Power | Via Mini DIN from Neo PSU |
Dimensions (lid closed) | 447 x 117 x 360 mm |
Turntable Weight | 6.0Kg |
Neo Mk2 PSU | 24 V AC protected by resettable fuse |
Power Consumption | 7.2 W |
Voltage | 24 V AC |
Wall Power supply | Rega PS1 only |
Speed control step size | 0.01 RPM |
Neo PSU Dimensions | 180 x 150 x 50 mm |