Rega RP3 Turntable / Elys 2 Cartridge – Cool Grey

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. In very good condition and complete with an RB303 tonearm and Elys 2 cartridge, this deck comes suitably packaged with a Record Store Day 2024 platter mat and our usual three month warranty. Please note the cartridge will not be covered by the warranty as we have no knowledge of its use and wear.
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.
Elys 2 Cartridge – Every Elys 2 uses a pair of parallel wound coils wound in house. Two coil sets are then carefully assembled on custom jigs to create a working stereo generator and fitted to the cartridge body. Each cartridge is then tested and checked over two days to ensure all of the strict tolerances for each model are achieved before either packing or fitting to a Rega turntable. The multi award winning Elys 2, offers unrivalled clarity, engaging stereo imaging and a natural dynamic performance putting you in touch with your vinyl collection like never before. The perfect upgrade for your Planar 2 and ideal partner for the Planar 3 and Planar 6 models.

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