Rega RP3 Turntable – Black / Elys 2 Cartridge / NEO Power Supply

Rega’s RP3 is such a classic award winning turntable, and over the years little looks to have changed with the Planar 3/RP3/P3 but dig a little deeper and each new model from this specialist British company gets some very important tweaks and upgrades. In simple terms this particular model would be perfect for someone wanting a little more than the typically basic, budget turntable. It is in very good condition and comes complete with an RB303 tonearm, Elys 2 cartridge, optional NEO Power supply, plus an aftermarket replacement Cork platter mat. It is supplied in original factory packaging along with our usual three month warranty which doesn’t cover the fitted cartridge.
Rega say….
The RP3 has been designed and engineered to achieve outstanding performance way beyond the expectations of a product at this price point. Excellent build quality, reliability and ease of use combine to make a product which, if used correctly, will offer a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Omitting unnecessary gimmicks allows us to concentrate the manufacturing costs on the high quality parts necessary to reproduce records accurately. The RP3 is fitted with a brand new hand assembled RB303 tonearm, precision main bearing and a low vibration low noise 24v motor assembly which is individually hand tuned to its circuit to further reduce vibration.
NEW DB Technology (Double Brace Technology) “Mass absorbs energy – lost energy equals lost music”! Rega has pioneered the use of lightweight rigid plinths. Clever use of lightweight particulate core with a highly rigid phenolic resin skin became the foundations of the high level of performance achieved by the now iconic Planar turntable range. The RP3 takes this design philosophy to the next level. A super lightweight plinth combined with a phenolic resin double brace mounted specifically where the increased rigidity is required (between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing) forms a structurally sound “stressed beam” assembly. This rigid plinth design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonances 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 while providing further weight reduction to the plinth which directly addresses the issue of mass absorption and unwanted energy transmission.
RB303 Tonearm – Making the best better Designed using the latest 3D CAD & CAM technology the new RB303 is the culmination of more than 30 years of tonearm design experience. Due to advances in technology, we have been able to fine tune the iconic RB300 tonearm design. Featuring a brand new tube with increased rigidity to the bearing housing, arm carrier and headshell coupled with intelligent redistribution of mass, ensure this arm will exhibit fewer points of possible resonance. Extreme stability with almost friction free movement from the high precision bearing assemblies guarantee to gather more information from your vinyl than ever before.
NEO Power Supply
The NEO PSU is an advanced turntable power supply providing user controllable fine speed adjustment, advanced anti-vibration motor circuit and the convenience of electronic speed change. The NEO will make a welcome addition to any compatible Rega turntable by reducing motor noise, improving speed stability and rotational speed accuracy.
Using the same DSP (digital signal processing) generator found in the RP10 the Neo is built upon a high stability crystal. The Neo features an advanced anti-vibration circuit, fine motor speed adjustment and the convenience of electronic speed change. The DSP generator will divide the accurate signal from the crystal to the exact frequency required to turn the platter at the selected speed whilst producing a near perfect sinusoidal waveform to drive the 24v motor.
Specifications:
Output to motor bi-phase: 24 V AC protected by resettable fuse
Power consumption: 7.2 W
Voltage: 24 V AC
Power supply: Rega PS1 only
Speed control step size: 0.01 RPM
PS1 (UK): Input 230 V ~ 50 Hz 0.07 A / Output 24 V ~ 350 mA AC

What Hi-Fi? magazine concluded their 5* review by saying…. “The Planar 3 delivers a class-leading combination of sound, build and ease of use”

From Hi-Fi News magazine comes this review – please click HERE