Rega Planar 78 Turntable

Available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada, the Rega Planar 78 is a purpose-built, single-speed 78 RPM turntable designed exclusively for playing shellac records and early pressings. Rather than adapting a general-purpose turntable with a speed switch, Rega has built the Planar 78 from the ground up as a dedicated 78 instrument — engineering every component, from the 24V synchronous motor to the phenolic resin platter and the hand-assembled RB220 tonearm, specifically around the demands of 78 RPM playback. The result is a turntable that brings genuine Rega engineering — including a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects — to a category that is otherwise poorly served by the mainstream hi-fi market.

Built for 78 RPM — No Compromises

Most turntables that claim to play 78 RPM records do so as an afterthought — a third speed added via a switch and a different pulley. The Rega Planar 78 is designed solely for 78 RPM operation. By eliminating the additional mechanisms and circuitry required for 33 and 45 RPM switching, Rega was able to concentrate the manufacturing budget entirely on the quality of the parts that matter for 78 playback: the bearing, the motor, the platter, and the tonearm. The minimalist approach directly benefits long-term reliability — there are fewer moving parts to wear or fail, and the motor and drive system are optimised for a single, stable speed.

RB220 Tonearm — Evolution of the RB250 Classic

The Planar 78 is fitted with Rega's hand-assembled RB220 tonearm — one of Rega's best-selling arms and a direct evolution of the legendary RB250 that established Rega's tonearm reputation on early Planar 2 turntables. The RB220 uses an ultra-lightweight, high-quality polymer bearing housing — patent pending — selected for reduced bearing friction in both vertical and horizontal planes. The die-cast aluminium armtube is fixed using Rega's three-point mounting system, which reduces stress on the plinth and tonearm junction for improved rigidity and stability. The outcome is measurably lower bearing friction and better tracking precision — qualities that are especially important for 78 RPM records, which typically carry heavier groove modulations than standard LP records.

Phenolic Resin Platter — Flywheel Effect

The platter is manufactured from phenolic resin — the same dense thermoset material Rega uses extensively across their turntable range for its combination of stiffness, mass, and acoustic damping. The phenolic resin platter acts as a flywheel, storing rotational energy and resisting speed perturbations once it reaches operating speed. This flywheel effect is particularly valuable at 78 RPM, where the faster rotation exposes any speed instability more readily than at 33 RPM.

Key Features

• Single-speed 78 RPM — designed solely for shellac records and 78 RPM playback
• Hand-assembled RB220 tonearm — evolution of the RB250, patent-pending polymer bearing housing
• Three-point tonearm mounting — reduces plinth stress, improves arm rigidity
• 24V low-noise synchronous motor — Rega's latest motor technology
• Phenolic resin flywheel-effect platter — dense, damped, stable
• Precision main bearing
• Advanced EBLT drive belt fitted as standard
• Lightweight plinth — Rega's established low-mass design philosophy
• Compatible with the Rega RB78 dedicated 78 RPM MM cartridge (sold separately)
• Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects
• Designed and hand-assembled in the UK

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Rega Planar 78 play standard 33 or 45 RPM records?

No. The Rega Planar 78 is a single-speed turntable running exclusively at 78 RPM. It cannot play standard LP or 12" single records. It is designed specifically for shellac 78 RPM records and early acoustic or electrical era recordings on 10" or 12" shellac discs.

Does the Rega Planar 78 come with a cartridge?

No. The Planar 78 is sold without a cartridge. Rega manufactures the dedicated RB78 moving magnet cartridge specifically for 78 RPM playback — it uses a wider stylus designed to trace the larger groove dimensions of shellac records without damaging them. The RB78 is sold separately and is the recommended cartridge for use with the Planar 78. Contact Vinyl Sound Toronto for availability.

Why does playing 78 RPM records require a different cartridge?

Shellac 78 RPM records have significantly wider groove walls than vinyl LP records — typically 2.5–3.0 mil wide versus approximately 0.7 mil for a standard stereo LP groove. A standard stereo cartridge with an elliptical or line-contact stylus will ride the bottom of the 78 groove, picking up dirt and surface noise rather than the groove modulations. A dedicated 78 stylus — like the one on Rega's RB78 — is sized to contact the correct part of the groove wall for accurate and low-distortion playback.

What phono stage does the Rega Planar 78 require?

The Planar 78 with the Rega RB78 cartridge requires a standard MM (moving magnet) phono stage. The RIAA equalisation used for vinyl LP records is not appropriate for 78 RPM records, which were recorded with different EQ curves depending on the label and era. For the most accurate 78 RPM playback, a phono stage with selectable EQ curves (such as those offered by Hagerman, Parks Audio, or others) is recommended — though standard RIAA will still produce a recognisable result.

Is the Rega Planar 78 covered by a lifetime warranty?

Yes. Like all Rega products, the Planar 78 is covered by Rega's lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. This warranty covers the confirmed defect in materials or workmanship and does not cover normal wear, consumable parts (such as the stylus or drive belt), or accidental damage.

Where can I buy the Rega Planar 78 turntable in Toronto, Canada?

The Rega Planar 78 is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Contact us for current pricing and to discuss cartridge options and phono stage compatibility for 78 RPM playback.