Rega Couple 3 Interconnect

Available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada, the Rega Couple 3 is a high-quality RCA interconnect cable hand-assembled in the UK at Rega's factory in Southend-on-Sea. Its conductor and dielectric specification originates from the cable developed for use inside Rega's award-winning reference Aura phono stage — one of the highest-accoladed phono preamplifiers Rega has ever produced. This lineage gives the Couple 3 a specification optimised for analogue audio signals, particularly phono-stage-to-amplifier connections. It carries Rega's lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.

80pF Capacitance — Matched to Rega Tonearm Cables

The Couple 3's most technically meaningful specification is its 80pF capacitance — deliberately matched to the capacitance of Rega's own custom tonearm cables used throughout the Rega turntable range. Cable capacitance directly affects the frequency response of a moving magnet cartridge: too high a total capacitance (tonearm cable + interconnect + phono stage input) causes a rising high-frequency response and ultimately a resonant peak that colours the sound. By specifying the Couple 3 at 80pF, Rega ensures the total system capacitance remains within the optimal range when the Couple 3 is used between a Rega phono stage and amplifier in a complete Rega system. This is a deliberate systems engineering decision, not a coincidence.

OFC Conductor — Derived from the Aura Phono Stage

The Couple 3 uses oxygen-free copper (OFC) conductors in an ultra-flexible jacket — the same cable construction developed as a critical internal component inside the Aura phono stage. OFC copper removes the dissolved oxygen present in standard electrolytic copper, reducing grain boundaries in the conductor and improving long-term corrosion resistance. The ultra-flexible jacket minimises mechanical stress on the conductor when the cable is routed and dressed, reducing microphonic pickup and ensuring the cable does not pull on or stress the connectors over time.

Neutrik RCA Plugs with Mechanical Strain Relief

The Couple 3 is terminated with Neutrik RCA plugs — an ergonomically designed, high-quality connector from one of the professional audio industry's most trusted connector manufacturers. Neutrik connectors feature a machined body with robust internal geometry and, critically, a mechanical strain relief mechanism that protects the solder joint and conductor from accidental damage if the cable is pulled or bent at the connector. This is an often-overlooked engineering detail that directly affects long-term reliability.

Key Features

• OFC (oxygen-free copper) conductors — same cable specified as internal wiring in Rega Aura phono stage
• 80pF capacitance — matched to Rega tonearm cables for optimised phono system performance
• Ultra-flexible jacket — minimises mechanical stress and microphonic pickup
• Neutrik RCA plugs — professional-grade connectors with mechanical strain relief
• Hand-assembled in the UK at Rega's factory
• Rega lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects
• Ideal for phono stage to amplifier or line-level source to amplifier connections

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does cable capacitance matter for a phono interconnect?

Moving magnet cartridges form a resonant circuit with the total capacitance seen at the phono stage input — the sum of the tonearm cable, the interconnect, and the phono stage's own input capacitance. If total capacitance is too high, it causes a rising treble response and an audible resonant peak, typically between 15–20kHz, which colours the sound. Rega specifies the Couple 3 at 80pF to complement their tonearm cables, keeping total system capacitance in the optimal range for Rega MM cartridges.

Is the Rega Couple 3 only suitable for Rega systems?

No. While the 80pF capacitance specification is optimised for Rega phono systems, the Couple 3 is a high-quality general-purpose interconnect suitable for any line-level connection — between a CD player and amplifier, DAC and amplifier, or phono stage and amplifier, regardless of brand. Its OFC construction and Neutrik termination make it a well-engineered cable at any level of system.

What does the Rega Aura phono stage have to do with the Couple 3?

The conductor and dielectric specification used in the Couple 3 was originally developed as an internal cable component inside Rega's Aura phono stage — Rega's reference-level, award-winning phono preamplifier. Rega identified this cable as performing particularly well in the signal path at the phono stage level and adapted it for use as an external interconnect in the Couple 3.

Does the Rega Couple 3 come with a lifetime warranty?

Yes. Like all Rega products, the Couple 3 is covered by Rega's lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. This warranty covers confirmed defects in materials or workmanship and does not cover damage from misuse or accidental damage.

Where can I buy the Rega Couple 3 interconnect in Toronto, Canada?

The Rega Couple 3 interconnect is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Contact us for current pricing and available lengths.