Rega Planar 3 RS Edition Turntable at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The Planar 3 RS Edition is a belt-driven turntable from Rega Research (Southend-on-Sea, England), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. This special edition — "RS" standing for Rega Special — takes the iconic Planar 3 platform and elevates it with a brushed aluminium HPL laminated plinth, the award-winning Nd5 moving magnet cartridge, and a custom-matched Neo MK2 PSU, delivering the stiffest, most resolving Planar 3 that Rega Research has ever produced. Recognized as a 2025 What Hi-Fi? Award winner and Sound Advice Best of 2025, the Planar 3 RS Edition sets the benchmark for turntable performance at its price level.

A New Standard in Plinth Rigidity

At the heart of the Planar 3 RS Edition is a fundamentally redesigned plinth. Rega has applied their High Pressure Laminate (HPL) technology — previously reserved for the Planar 6 and above — to this model for the first time, wrapping an MDF core in a new brushed dark aluminium metallic skin. The result is the stiffest plinth ever produced at the Planar 3 level. This rigid construction prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonance that would add colouration to the music. The plinth is further braced with Rega's Double Brace Technology: a 3mm phenolic bottom brace and a metalized skin phenolic top brace, positioned precisely between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing to form a structurally sound stressed beam assembly. This targeted approach delivers double-thickness phenolic resin only where it is needed, addressing both mass absorption and unwanted energy transmission without adding unnecessary weight.

The Nd5 Moving Magnet Cartridge

Every Planar 3 RS Edition ships with the Nd5 moving magnet cartridge factory fitted and aligned. Each Nd5 is hand-made by Rega's skilled technicians in Southend-on-Sea, England. The stylus profile is a true nude elliptical diamond, created by an elliptical grinding process using polycrystalline man-made diamond material. The generator features brand-new geometry with perfect symmetry for accurate channel balance, along with an optimised pole gap for superior linearity and reduced crosstalk. The result is a notably wider soundstage compared to previous Rega moving magnet models. Internally, the Nd5 uses miniaturised parallel coils wound in-house with 38-micron wire at just 1,275 turns, producing a low-inductance, low-impedance generator for vastly improved high-frequency response. The Nd range is supplied in 100% recyclable packaging in keeping with Rega's sustainability commitments.

Neo MK2 PSU and Motor System

Included with every Planar 3 RS Edition, the Neo MK2 PSU is an advanced outboard turntable power supply providing user-controllable fine speed adjustment, an anti-vibration motor circuit, and the convenience of electronic speed change. Each Neo MK2 unit is custom matched to its individual 24V low-noise, low-vibration motor, with the vibration circuit hand tuned to that specific motor. This bespoke pairing reduces motor noise, improves speed stability, and enhances rotational speed accuracy to a degree not possible with an integrated PSU. Power is delivered via a Reference EBLT drive belt and a CNC machined custom aluminium pulley, ensuring ultimate accuracy in speed control. The platter is a 12mm float glass opti-white polished unit that pairs with a Rega-designed patented brass main hub central bearing.

RB330 Tonearm

The Planar 3 RS Edition is fitted with Rega's legendary handmade RB330 precision tonearm. Designed using the latest 3D CAD and CAM technology, the RB330 is the result of more than 40 years of continuous tonearm development at Rega Research. The bearing housing and tonearm tube use intelligent redistribution of mass to minimise resonance points. High-precision bearing assemblies deliver extreme stability, zero play, and near-frictionless movement, ensuring the Nd5 cartridge retrieves the maximum amount of information from every record groove.

Key Features

• Brushed Aluminium HPL Laminated Plinth: The stiffest Planar 3 plinth Rega has ever produced, using High Pressure Laminate technology previously reserved for the Planar 6 and above, finished in dark brushed metal with high-gloss black edges.
• Nd5 Moving Magnet Cartridge (Factory Fitted): Hand-assembled in England with a nude elliptical diamond stylus, new-geometry generator, optimised pole gap, and 38-micron parallel coils for wide soundstage and extended high-frequency response.
• Custom-Matched Neo MK2 PSU: Included outboard power supply with each motor vibration circuit individually hand tuned, providing electronic speed change, fine speed adjustment, and significantly reduced motor noise.
• RB330 Precision Tonearm: Handmade in England using 3D CAD and CAM technology, over 40 years of tonearm design experience, with high-precision zero-play bearings and intelligent mass distribution.
• Double Brace Technology: Phenolic bottom brace and metalized skin phenolic top brace form a stressed beam assembly between the tonearm mount and central bearing for maximum structural rigidity.
• Reference EBLT Drive Belt: Fitted as standard for superior speed accuracy and reduced noise transmission from the motor.
• 24V Low-Noise Motor with CNC Pulley: Precision motor hand tuned to its matched Neo MK2 PSU, driven through a CNC machined custom aluminium pulley.
• 12mm Float Glass Opti-White Platter: Polished edge glass platter paired with Rega's patented brass central bearing for low-noise, stable rotation.
• Smoked Dust Cover Included: Supplied as standard to protect the turntable when not in use.
• Lifetime Warranty Against Manufacturing Defects: Backed by Rega Research's lifetime manufacturing warranty.
• Sustainable Packaging: The Nd5 cartridge is supplied in 100% recyclable packaging.

Technical Specifications

What's in the Box

• Rega Planar 3 RS Edition turntable with Nd5 cartridge factory fitted
• Custom-matched Neo MK2 PSU (hand tuned to the individual motor)
• 12mm float glass opti-white polished platter
• Reference EBLT drive belt
• Smoked dust cover
• RB330 counterweight
• Rega PS1 wall power supply

Awards and Critical Recognition

• What Hi-Fi? Award Winner 2025 and Product of the Year 2025 — What Hi-Fi? (UK)
• Sound Advice Best of 2025 — Sound Advice (UK)
• 5 Stars — What Hi-Fi? (January 2025)
• Editor's Choice — Tom's Guide (2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition?

The Rega Planar 3 RS Edition is a belt-driven manual turntable from Rega Research of Southend-on-Sea, England, built as a premium special edition of the iconic Planar 3. It features a brushed aluminium HPL laminated plinth, the hand-made Nd5 moving magnet cartridge, a handmade RB330 precision tonearm, and a custom-matched Neo MK2 outboard power supply. The RS stands for "Rega Special" and represents the most capable Planar 3 Rega Research has ever produced, earning the 2025 What Hi-Fi? Award and Product of the Year at its price level.

How does the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition compare to the standard Planar 3 and the Pro-Ject Debut Pro?

The Planar 3 RS Edition sits above the standard Rega Planar 3/Nd3 package and directly competes with the Pro-Ject Debut Pro and Clearaudio Compass at a similar price tier. Compared to the standard Planar 3, the RS Edition adds the stiffer aluminium HPL plinth (borrowed from the Planar 6 level), the upgraded Nd5 cartridge over the Nd3, and the custom-matched Neo MK2 PSU that the standard model lacks. In independent head-to-head testing by What Hi-Fi?, the RS Edition was found to deliver a clear, meaningful step up in performance over both the standard Planar 3 and competing models at its price point, ultimately winning the 2025 What Hi-Fi? Award ahead of the Pro-Ject Debut Pro in its category.

What is the Rega Nd5 cartridge and why does it matter?

The Rega Nd5 is a hand-assembled moving magnet cartridge produced in-house by Rega Research in England. It uses a true nude elliptical diamond stylus, a new-geometry generator with a neodymium magnet for improved channel balance, and miniaturised parallel coils wound with 38-micron wire at just 1,275 turns, yielding low inductance and low impedance for extended high-frequency response. Compared to the Nd3 fitted to the standard Planar 3, the Nd5 delivers a noticeably wider soundstage and improved detail retrieval, and is a significant step up in performance.

What is the Neo MK2 PSU and does the Planar 3 RS Edition require it?

The Neo MK2 PSU is Rega's advanced outboard turntable power supply that provides a clean, stable 24V AC feed to the motor, along with user-controllable fine speed adjustment (to 0.01 RPM steps) and an anti-vibration motor circuit. Every Planar 3 RS Edition includes a Neo MK2 that has been custom matched and hand tuned to its individual motor, which meaningfully reduces motor noise and improves speed stability beyond what an integrated PSU can achieve. The turntable is powered exclusively via the Neo MK2 PSU using a Mini DIN connection and a Rega PS1 wall supply.

Can the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition play 45 RPM records?

Yes, the Planar 3 RS Edition plays both 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records. Speed changes are handled electronically via the Neo MK2 PSU, eliminating the need to manually move the drive belt between pulley grooves as required on some belt-drive turntables. The Neo MK2 also allows fine speed trimming in 0.01 RPM increments for precise calibration.

Does the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition include a built-in phono stage?

No, the Planar 3 RS Edition outputs a standard phono-level signal via RCA connectors and does not include a built-in phono preamplifier. A separate phono stage or an amplifier with a phono input is required to connect it to a hi-fi system. Rega produces several compatible phono stages, including the Fono Mini A2D and the Fono MM MK5, which are well-matched to the Nd5 cartridge.

Where can I buy the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition in Toronto or Canada?

The Rega Planar 3 RS Edition is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Rega Research dealer located in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound serves customers across the Greater Toronto Area and Canada, offering expert advice, in-store listening, and full manufacturer support for all Rega products.

Is the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition compatible with third-party cartridges and phono stages?

Yes, the Planar 3 RS Edition's RB330 tonearm accepts a wide range of moving magnet and moving coil cartridges beyond the factory-fitted Nd5. Rega's own Ania and Ania Pro moving coil cartridges are compatible upgrades. For phono stages, the RCA output is a standard connection compatible with the vast majority of phono preamplifiers on the market. The Nd5's output level and impedance characteristics make it an easy match for most phono stage inputs, and Rega's own phono stages are optimised specifically for use with their cartridge range.