Rega Planar 2 Turntable with ND3 Cartridge

The Rega Planar 2 is a two-speed belt-drive turntable from Rega Research, Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom, hand-assembled at the factory and available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Rega dealer in Toronto, Canada. Factory-fitted with the ND3 cartridge and the RB220 tonearm, the Planar 2 operates on a 24V low-noise motor drawn directly from Rega's Planar 3 motor specification, spinning a 10mm float glass optiwhite platter at 33 or 45 RPM. The result is a complete, ready-to-play vinyl record player built to audiophile tolerances typically associated with considerably more expensive decks. At 447 x 117 x 360mm (lid closed) and 5.5 kg, the Rega Planar 2 fits neatly on any audio rack or shelf and pairs with any integrated amplifier equipped with a phono input or used alongside a separate phono stage.

RB220 Tonearm and ND3 Cartridge

The RB220 is Rega's entry into the Reference Bearing tonearm family, sharing the precision-ground stainless steel main bearing housing and bias-adjusted single-point anti-skate mechanism of the higher RB330 and RB880. The one-piece extruded aluminium tube is shaped with carefully calculated wall thickness variations to minimize resonance, and the fitted phenolic headshell accepts the ND3 cartridge in a precision pre-aligned position. Pre-alignment from the factory eliminates the overhang and azimuth adjustment common with tonearms at this level, removing a source of setup error and ensuring the cartridge runs at its optimum geometry immediately after installation. The ND3 is factory-mounted and VTF-adjusted, so the Planar 2 arrives ready to play from the first record.

24V Low-Noise Motor and 10mm Float Glass Platter

Rega specifies the same 24V low-noise motor in the Planar 2 as in the Planar 3, a component choice that reflects Rega's view that consistent motor quality across the range produces a more uniform sonic standard than cost-reduced alternatives. The motor is decoupled from the plinth to prevent mechanical vibration from reaching the platter and stylus, and drives the platter via a precision belt at 33 and 45 RPM. The platter itself is manufactured from 10mm float glass optiwhite, a material chosen for its consistent density, flatness, and mass distribution. Float glass optiwhite has a uniformly low iron content that eliminates the green tint of standard float glass and ensures no magnetic contamination that could affect cartridge performance.

Key Features

• RB220 Tonearm: precision-ground stainless steel main bearing, single-point anti-skate, one-piece extruded aluminium tube with resonance-tuned wall thickness, phenolic headshell with factory-fitted ND3 cartridge
• Factory-Fitted ND3 Cartridge: pre-aligned and VTF-adjusted at the factory for play-from-box operation without user setup of overhang or azimuth
• 24V Low-Noise Motor (Planar 3 specification): the same motor used in the Rega Planar 3, decoupled from the plinth to prevent vibration transmission to the platter and stylus
• 10mm Float Glass Optiwhite Platter: dense, flat, low-iron glass platter for consistent mass distribution, inert surface, and no magnetic interference with the cartridge
• Two-speed: 33 and 45 RPM, covering both standard LP and 7-inch single formats
• No built-in phono stage: requires an external phono preamplifier or an amplifier with a phono input
• Dust cover included: hinged acrylic lid supplied as standard
• Hand-assembled at Rega's factory in Southend-on-Sea, England
• Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rega Planar 2?

The Rega Planar 2 is a two-speed belt-drive turntable from Rega Research, hand-assembled in Southend-on-Sea, UK. It uses the RB220 tonearm with a factory-fitted ND3 cartridge, a 24V low-noise motor shared with the Planar 3, and a 10mm float glass optiwhite platter. It plays at 33 and 45 RPM, includes a dust cover, and requires an external phono stage. It measures 447 x 117 x 360mm (lid closed) and weighs 5.5 kg. The Rega Planar 2 is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Rega dealer in Toronto, Canada.

What is the RB220 tonearm on the Rega Planar 2?

The RB220 is Rega's precision tonearm in the Reference Bearing family, featuring a precision-ground stainless steel main bearing housing, a one-piece extruded aluminium tube with resonance-controlled wall thickness variations, a phenolic headshell, and a single-point bias-adjusted anti-skate mechanism. On the Planar 2, it arrives with the ND3 cartridge pre-aligned and VTF-adjusted at the Rega factory, so no overhang measurement or azimuth setup is required by the user. The pre-aligned configuration removes the most common source of setup error in entry-level tonearm installations.

Does the Rega Planar 2 have a built-in phono stage?

No. The Rega Planar 2 outputs a phono-level signal from the ND3 moving magnet cartridge and requires connection to either an external phono preamplifier or an integrated amplifier with a dedicated phono input. Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada carries a range of compatible phono stages, from entry-level units such as the Rega Fono Mini A2D to more advanced options. Contact us for a pairing recommendation suited to your amplifier and listening priorities.

How does the Rega Planar 2 compare to the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo or Audio-Technica LP120XUSB?

The Rega Planar 2 and Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo occupy similar price territory with different engineering philosophies. The Rega approach centres on a hand-assembled precision tonearm with a pre-aligned factory-fitted cartridge and a motor drawn from the next model up in the range; the Pro-Ject uses a carbon fibre tonearm tube with a separately installed Ortofon 2M Red cartridge in a slightly heavier plinth. The Audio-Technica LP120XUSB is a direct-drive deck with a USB output and built-in phono stage, aimed at DJs and those digitizing records, while the Planar 2 is a pure analogue hi-fi turntable with no direct drive, no USB, and no internal phono stage. For listeners focused on musical performance from vinyl records in a hi-fi system, the Planar 2 is the stronger choice. Both the Planar 2 and the full Rega lineup are available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada.

What phono stage or amplifier pairs with the Rega Planar 2?

The Rega Planar 2 with ND3 moving magnet cartridge connects to any phono stage or amplifier phono input designed for MM cartridges. At Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada, compatible phono stage pairings include options from Rega, Pro-Ject, and Musical Fidelity, and integrated amplifiers from Yamaha, Audiolab, and Rega that include built-in MM phono inputs. For listeners without a phono input on their existing amplifier, a standalone phono preamplifier connected between the Planar 2 and any line input is the recommended approach.

Is the Rega Planar 2 hand-assembled?

Yes. The Rega Planar 2 is hand-assembled at Rega Research's factory in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, United Kingdom. Rega has manufactured all its turntables, tonearms, and cartridges in the UK since 1973. Hand assembly allows each unit to be individually checked for tonearm bearing play, motor decoupling, and platter level before leaving the factory, maintaining the tight quality tolerances that Rega's reputation is based on.

Is the Rega Planar 2 a good starter turntable for someone building a vinyl collection on a budget?

Yes — the Rega Planar 2 is one of the strongest arguments for spending modestly more than the Planar 1 as a first turntable. Available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Rega dealer in Toronto, Canada, the Planar 2 comes factory-fitted with the ND3 MM cartridge and uses the RB220 tonearm — a step up from the RB110 on the Planar 1 in terms of bearing precision and cartridge compatibility. The 10mm Optiwhite float glass platter provides better speed stability than a phenolic platter, and the EBLT low-noise drive belt reduces motor noise reaching the stylus. For someone starting a vinyl collection who wants a turntable that will remain satisfying as the collection grows — rather than feeling the need to upgrade within a year — the Planar 2 represents a practical budget decision. It is plug-and-play ready with no cartridge or setup choices required.

Where to buy the Rega Planar 2 in Toronto, Canada?

The Rega Planar 2 is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Rega dealer in Toronto, Canada. We carry the full Rega Planar lineup and offer listening room demonstrations, phono stage pairing advice, and full after-sales support. Visit vinylsound.ca or call 647-977-1100 for availability.