Following the success of both the Apheta 3 and Aphelion 2 high-end MC cartridges, Rega offers a new mid-priced model. As usual, this new Ania Pro moving coil cartridge is handcrafted in England by Rega.
REGA ANIA PRO: BODY AND DIAMOND
The Rega Ania Pro cartridge is housed in a very rigid moulded resin body made from a polymer/glass combination (40%) called Polyphenylene Sulphide (PPS-Fortron). The special attributes of this material are its hardness and stability. This choice was made for economic reasons. It allows the cartridge to be almost twice cheaper compared to an aluminium structure like the Apheta 3.
The whole phono cartridge is protected by a translucent red plastic cover.
The nude diamond features a Vital profile. It’s mounted on an aluminium tapered cantilever.
REGA ANIA PRO: WINDING
The generator is similar to the one found in the Rega Apheta 3 cartridge. It uses the same iron “micro” cross assembly, making the coil one of the smallest and lightest one there is.
The wire is made of 0.018 mm diameter OFC, associated with a generator featuring powerful neodymium magnets.
REGA ANIA PRO: FIXATION
Fixation is standard. However, Rega turntable or tonearm owners have the possibility to use a third threaded mounting hole on the Ania Pro cartridge allowing faster alignment.
This provides more rigid fixation and better distributed tightening torque.
REGA ANIA PRO: TESTING AND LISTENING
We’ve tested this MC cartridge on the Rega Planar 6 and Planar 8 turntables.
The reproduction follows Rega’s purest tradition: dynamic, very vibrant, clear mids, very realistic and transparent. There’s the precision of the Apheta 3, even though the latter is superior in terms of dynamics, details and impact.
The Ania Pro’s overall balance tends towards softness and width. Bass is particularly dynamic, articulated and perfectly controlled. The soundstage, musician placement and stereo are a huge success.
When combined with an excellent phono preamplifier, the Rega Ania Pro MC cartridge will provide outstanding performance and musicality for its price. We recommend using it on the Rega Planar 6 and Planar 8 turntables given that this cartridge has been purposefully designed for them by the manufacturer.
AWARDS:
Hi-Fi Choice - Recommended - 2020
Hi-Fi World - Outstanding***** - 2020
The EAR - Best Buy - 2020
FranckDiamond: Vital profile nude
Cantilever: tapered aluminium
Coils: 0.0018 mm wire
Magnets: neodymium
Tracking force: 1.75 - 2 g
Load impedance: 100 ohms
Output impedance: 10 ohms
Output level: 350 μV
Channel balance: ≥ 20 μV
Channel separation: ≥ -29 dB
Weight: 6 g
