Rega Planar 6 & Planar 6 RS Turntable

Rega Planar 6 & Planar 6 RS Turntable

The Planar 6 family is built around Rega's lightweight, high-rigidity approach to vinyl replay, with the standard Planar 6 offering broad cartridge flexibility and the Planar 6 RS bringing key Planar 8 engineering into the familiar full-plinth format.

The standard Planar 6 remains one of the most useful points in Rega's range for a serious vinyl system. Its Tancast 8 foam-core plinth, double-brace structure, machined aluminium sub-platter, Reference EBLT belt, RB330 tonearm and custom-matched Neo MK2 power supply form a complete platform rather than a deck that immediately needs another round of upgrades.

The Planar 6 RS is a different proposition. It keeps the practical dustcover and footprint of the Planar 6, then upgrades the parts that most directly affect mechanical control: the RB880 tonearm from the Planar 8, a CNC-machined twin drive pulley, twin Reference EBLT belts and a brushed-metal aluminium skin over the Tancast 8 core. For customers already looking at a serious cartridge and phono stage, that gives the RS a clear role between the standard Planar 6 and the more skeletal Planar 8.

Choose the Planar 6 by the system you are building

The cartridge choice should follow the phono stage and the rest of the system, rather than simply following the highest price.

The cartridge-free Planar 6 is the right starting point when you already own a suitable cartridge or want to choose something outside the factory packages. The Nd5 and Nd7 keep the system on a moving-magnet input, which is useful with many integrated amplifiers and dedicated MM phono stages. Nd7 adds Rega's fine-line nude diamond profile for customers looking for the more resolving MM option.

The Ania Pro version moves into low-output moving-coil territory. It needs a suitable MC phono stage, but it also allows the standard Planar 6 chassis and RB330 arm to be used in a more ambitious analogue front end. Before choosing it, check that your amplifier or phono preamplifier has a proper MC input with suitable loading and gain.

Planar 6 RS: the turntable itself gets the upgrade

RS is a hardware change, not a finish package.

The RB880 tonearm is the most significant step. It uses the more advanced bearing housing, stainless-steel vertical bearing components and low-capacitance phono cable associated with the Planar 8. The drive system also changes to a twin-belt arrangement with a CNC-machined twin pulley. Those upgrades improve the mechanical platform before the cartridge is considered.

The RS is available with the Nd9 moving-magnet cartridge or the Ania moving-coil cartridge factory fitted. The Nd9 is the simpler route for systems with a high-quality MM phono stage and uses a fine-line nude diamond on a boron cantilever. The Ania package is aimed at systems ready for moving coil. Rega also offers an Ania package with the Fono MC phono stage, which provides a straightforward matched path into MC replay when the existing amplifier does not already have a suitable MC input.

Neo MK2 power supply included

Both Planar 6 versions include Rega's external Neo MK2 power supply.

The Neo MK2 provides electronic 33 and 45RPM speed selection, fine speed adjustment in 0.01RPM steps and an anti-vibration motor circuit. Each turntable motor is matched and tuned to its power supply, so the speed-control system is part of the deck's design rather than an optional accessory to budget for later.

Placement and phono-stage matching matter

Rega's low-mass construction rewards a rigid, level support. Keep the turntable away from loudspeaker vibration where possible, and use a wall bracket or well-isolated equipment support if the floor is lively. Keep mains power supplies and high-current cables away from the low-level phono leads where practical.

For MM versions, use a conventional moving-magnet phono input. The Ania and Ania Pro variants require moving-coil gain and loading. If you are unsure which cartridge package belongs with your amplifier or phono stage, contact The Audio Experts before ordering so the gain, loading and system balance can be checked together.

Key Features

• Planar 6: Tancast 8 foam-core plinth, RB330 tonearm, single Reference EBLT belt and custom-matched Neo MK2 PSU.
• Planar 6 cartridge choices: no cartridge, Nd5 MM, Nd7 MM or Ania Pro MC.
• Planar 6 RS: brushed-metal Tancast 8 plinth, RB880 tonearm, CNC twin pulley and twin Reference EBLT belts.
• Planar 6 RS cartridge choices: Nd9 MM or Ania MC, with an Ania plus Fono MC package also offered by Rega.
• Electronic speed control: 33 and 45RPM selection through the included Neo MK2 PSU with fine adjustment.
• Double-brace construction: increased rigidity between the main bearing and tonearm mounting area without relying on a heavy plinth.
• Factory-fitted cartridge options: Rega three-point mounting simplifies alignment on supported factory packages.

Available Variants

Specifications

Detailed Technical Specifications

For those who like to drag out all the useful bits

Important Notes

• Ania and Ania Pro are moving-coil cartridges and require a suitable MC phono stage.
• Nd5, Nd7 and Nd9 are moving-magnet cartridges and require an MM phono stage.
• The Planar 6 RS is mechanically different from the standard Planar 6. It uses the RB880 tonearm and twin-belt drive system.
• Use a rigid, level support and keep the turntable isolated from loudspeaker and footfall vibration where possible.
• Confirm cartridge, phono-stage and package compatibility before ordering if you are changing between MM and MC.

The Audio Experts Take

The standard Planar 6 is the stronger choice for customers who want the Rega low-mass platform with freedom to choose how far to take the cartridge. Nd5 keeps the system straightforward, Nd7 is the more ambitious MM option, and Ania Pro is the step into a dedicated MC front end.

The RS deserves to be treated as a turntable upgrade in its own right. The RB880 and twin-belt drive move important parts of the mechanical platform closer to Planar 8 territory while retaining the conventional dustcover and footprint. If the rest of the system already justifies a serious analogue source, the RS is where we would start looking. Choose Nd9 when a quality MM phono stage is already in place; choose Ania when the system is ready for moving coil, and consider the Fono MC package if you need the matching phono stage at the same time.

Contact The Audio Experts for current availability and cartridge or phono-stage matching advice.