Rega P6 RS Turntable

This special "RS" edition of the Rega Planar 6 is built from an all-new HPL laminate combined with an aluminium coating, resulting in a stiffer, more inert plinth. It is, in fact, the stiffest and most neutral plinth Rega has ever designed for these turntables.

Rega Planar 6 RS: Plinth

Rega was the first brand to choose light, ultra-rigid plinths. For many years, the brand has used a lightweight particle base coated with a highly rigid phenolic resin. This choice is behind the high level of performance achieved by the manufacturer's turntables. The new Rega Planar 6 RS Edition receives, as with the P3 RS, a high-pressure laminate (HPL) usually reserved for the Planar 6, Planar 8 and Planar 10 models. It is covered with a dark brushed metal plate, edged in gloss black. Together, this forms a highly attractive plinth.

This complex plinth design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonances, which would add unnatural distortion to the music. Likewise, a heavier mass can transfer more unwanted energy, such as motor or bearing noise, directly into the spinning record and therefore into the cartridge. The use of spacers allows for double-thickness phenolic resin in these key areas, directly solving the problem of mass absorption and unwanted energy transmission.

Added to this is the double-brace reinforcement system, fitted specifically where increased rigidity is needed (Double Brace technology), between the tonearm mount and the main bearing. Together, this forms a structurally very solid assembly.

Rega Planar 6 RS: Motor and Power Supply

The RS edition ships as standard with a Rega Neo PSU MK2 regulator which, as on the Planar 8, has been individually optimised and hand-tuned with each motor. This power supply controls speed, allowing 33/45 rpm switching, but it also acts as a motor anti-vibration circuit. The low-noise 24V motor found on the Rega P6 is fitted with a CNC-machined pulley. It drives the aluminium sub-platter via 2 Rega Reference EBLT drive belts. These provide ultimate speed precision. This drive system and the main bearing are borrowed entirely from the Planar 8. The glass platter is the "dual-layer" version, 16mm thick, in opti-white.

Rega Planar 6 RS: Tonearm and Cartridge

The new Rega Planar 6 RS is fitted with the legendary RB880 tonearm, which comes as standard on the Planar 8. It is entirely hand-built and hand-assembled. It benefits from over 35 years of experience and features bearings with zero friction and a tube profile offering low resonance. The wiring uses low-capacitance conductors and new RCA plugs.

This tonearm allows the fitting of very high-end cartridges, both MM and MC. As always, if you choose a cartridge from another brand, you will need to add a spacer under the arm to achieve a perfect VTA.

As standard, however, the Planar 6 RS is fitted with the manufacturer's highest-end MM cartridge, the excellent Rega Nd9 MM cartridge.

Rega Planar 6 RS: Test and Listening

The initial measurements leave no doubt! This is clearly a supercharged Rega P6 turntable!

You'll find all the musicality and swing typical of the manufacturer's turntables, but with superior definition and neutrality.

As always, the presentation is very coherent and particularly well-balanced. The dynamics are remarkable, but above all, they feel far more controlled.

Presence and openness are also among its strengths… Vocals are remarkably present and realistic.

Every change made to the Planar 6 inevitably brings it closer to the Planar 8, even if it doesn't fully reach the latter's performance in terms of nuance and subtlety.

The Rega P6 RS is a complete success. It pushes the performance of the manufacturer's 40-plus-year British best-seller even further.