Rega P9 Turntable / Dynavector XX2 Cartridge – Black

Here we have a Rega P9 turntable complete with dedicated P9 PSU power supply unit. Introduced in 2002 it had a larger shaped frame around the plinth than the previous Planar 9 and came with the improved RB1000 arm. Our unit comes in very good condition noting a little marking to the lid – please see photographs. It will be supplied in original factory packaging along with manual, mains cable and our standard three month warranty which does not cover the fitted Dynavector XX2 moving coil cartridge.
Rega Say….
The P9 is, in our opinion, the ultimate performance turntable available to the music-loving public. We designed the P9 with no financial restrictions whatsoever. The ceramic platter alone costs more to produce than our P5 turntable! With the right cartridge, you will be astonished at just how much information this turntable retrieves from your vinyl LP collection.
The main bearing assembly is engineered to extremely tight tolerances. This results in virtually friction free rumble-less performance which, if lubricated correctly, will last your lifetime!
The platter is produced from a ceramic oxide powder which is compressed, fired and diamond ground to size. Because this platter is as stiff and hard as sapphire, the only improvement that can be made would me to make it from diamond. This is again a first in the industry at volume production levels. Even so, each platter takes many hours to produce. Expensive detail design ensures it only sits on three points on the centre hub.
The new P9 plinth is made from an even lighter material than the original Planar which again offers advantages over its predecessor. The plinth is of a skeletal design. This allows the mass to be reduced and the rigidity increased in comparison to a solid section construction. All organic materials used in the production of the plinth and surround are obtained from sustainable sources.
The motor is a high specification, 24V twin phase synchronous unit controlled by Rega’s unique and innovative power supply. The motor drives the computer-numerically-controlled (CNC) machined pulley and sub platter/hub-bearing assembly via a twin belt drive. Two belts are used so that any small inaccuracies in one belt will be cancelled out by the second, giving unusually low levels of wow and flutter. A Mu-metal shield is used to minimise extraneous electromagnetic radiation interfering with the cartridge.
The external power supply unit is a quart crystal locked system. To ensure accurate speed stability of the platter motor, two quartz crystal control reference oscillators have been utilised. This system produces a high frequency (3 MHz for 33 and 4 MHz for 45) signal, which is then divided down to feed generously rated, high current power fet amps. The output from these is very pure (<0.03 THD, this is a lower value than many power amplifiers output). The beauty of this power supply is that a dual phase is supplied to the motor, the phases of which may be varied in relation to each other. This means that the power supply phases can be (and are) trimmed to eliminate all vibration from the motor. In turn, this
means that there is no need for plinth suspension, which would ordinarily be required to eliminate motor resonance.
The New P9 has an extensively redesigned tonearm, the all new RB1000. Many changes have been made to improve the original RB900 even further. The aluminium tube has been polished rather than lacquered so as to reduce the weight. The entire bearing housing is now manufactured from stainless steel and all parts have been manufactured to exacting tolerances which are apparent from the tonearms appearance.
The tonearm tube itself (which is a one piece silicone/aluminium casting) is very rigid, whilst being low mass. The tonearm assembly is concentrated around precision, hardened stainless steel, miniature ball races of the highest quality. The bearings fit on to ground shafts and into the tonearm using interference fits. This means that no adhesive is required and therefore none of the associated (component – adhesive – component) losses in rigidity prevail. It is fitted to the plinth by a 3-point fixing. This technique will cause less stress on the plinth and the bearing housing of the tonearm, and
therefore the least possible resonance.
The RB1000 tonearm is designed to maximize the cantilever acceleration and travel as much as possible with the utmost accuracy within the cartridge body, thus providing new levels of information.
Features & Specifications:
25 mm thick plinth: low mass particle core enclosed by highly rigid phenolic laminates with exotic wood frame
Rega RB1000 tonearm with tungsten steel counterweight.
Ceramic plate worked with wool mat.
24V synchronous motor
Stabilized tuner power supply 24V AC
Double belt drive
Transparent lid
Dimensions: 480 (W) x 380 (D) x 130 (H) mm
Weight: 7.9 kg

Dynavector Say….
The DV XX-1 was the first cartridge to feature a “magnetic flux damper” (patent) and softened magnetism” (patent) processes that reject the magnetic fluctuation that is detrimental to a moving coil cartridges performance.
The DV XX-2 MkII retains the benefit of the flux damper but features the Alnico-5 magnet and the similar rigid construction to the Te Kaitora Rua. Alnico magnets exhibit high magnetic flux density combining with a low coercive therefore magnetic resistance is lower than other magnetic types such as rare earth and ferrite, providing the exceptional stability of the XX-2 MkII output voltage. There is also the additional advantage of low magnetic and electrical resistance contributing to a discernible improvement in sound quality.
The XX-2 MkII also exhibits deep powerful bass, treble is both clear and lively possessing none of the hardness found in many moving coil designs.
The XX-2 MkII also features a 6 mm solid boron cantilever fitted with a Pathfinder Line contact stylus. PCOCC (pure copper Ohno continuous casting process) copper wire is used for the coil. The output voltage of 0.28mV is higher than that of the XX-2 and 6 ohms impedance are suited to most moving coil phono stages.
For rigidity of construction the XX-2 MkII cartridge body is machined from 7075 aluminium the hardest available. However, having only a total weight of only 8.9 grams it is suitable for a variety of popular tonearms.
Specifications:
Type: Low output moving coil cartridge with Alnico magnet and Flux damper
Output Voltage: 0.28mV (at 1KHz, 5cm/sec.)
Channel Separation: 30 dB (at 1KHz)
Channel Balance: 1.0 dB (at 1KHz)
Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000Hz (± 1dB)
Compliance: 10 mm/N
Tracking Force: 1.8 – 2.2 g
Impedance 6 ohms
Recommended Load Impedance: > 30 ohms
Cantilever: 6mm length; 0.3 mm dia. solid boron
Stylus Tip: PF Line contact shape, stylus radius: 7 x 30 micron
Weight: 8.9 g