Electronic Speed Change, Anti-Vibration Control, NEO Outboard Power Supply, Ortofon 2MR Bronze Cartridge: Rega Planar 6 Turntable Package Delivers Beguiling Sound and Stellar Value

The arrival of a new Rega turntable is always treated like an event in the audio community, and in the case of the Planar 6, the excitement surrounding its performance and design has seldom been more justifiable. Particularly given this package includes an Ortofon 2MR Bronze MM phono cartridge for even more value and coherency. 

Taking many cues from Rega's RP10 – not the least of which is the NEO Power Supply Unit, which affords electronic speed change, advanced anti-vibration control located beneath the ‘table, and user-adjustable electronic speed adjustment – Planar 6 specializes in playing back vinyl with exorbitant accuracy, fine detail, attention-grabbing dynamics, and Rega's famed realism.

Built upon a high-stability crystal, NEO PSU's DSP generator divides the accurate signal from the crystal to the exact frequency needed to turn the platter at the given speed. It also produces near-perfect sinusoidal waveforms to drive the motor, ultimately generating a 24V AC balanced signal with amazingly minimal distortion. And that's just the basics behind the beguiling sound mustered by Planar 6.

This handcrafted analog instrument bows as the first Rega constructed with an ultra-lightweight Tan-Cast 8 polyurethane foam core plinth. Created for the aerospace industry, the material is then sandwiched between a high-pressure laminate renowned for its thin yet rigid structure. A single-piece, machined aluminum subplatter, revised 24v motor hand-tuned to match its personal NEO power supply, and custom-machined high-precision drive fully complete with an enhanced white drive belt also do the heavy lifting.

Rega's outstanding, handmade RB330 precision tonearm and signature double brace technology further contribute to the pinpoint extraction of information from LP grooves. Planar 6 also comes with a clear, flywheel-effect float-glass platter, ultra-low-friction central brass hub, aluminum-trimmed Planar-style feet, and a dust cover. Saying this turntable is special is an understatement. Hearing it in action is both believing and inspiring.

Particularly given it comes out of the gate with 2MR Bronze. Featuring a specially designed narrow cartridge housing tailored for Rega turntables and tonearms that require low form-factor cartridges, 2MR Bronze may represent the line's finest overall value. Equipped with a nude fine-line stylus with a slim profile designed to track high-frequency modulations, 2MR Bronze makes for a spectacular choice for listeners who love demanding material, rock, and electronic fare. Even-handed, controlled, and detailed, it performs what you might think are magic tricks when it comes to separation, clarity, and a pleasing touch of warmth. 

All things considered, Planar 6 has the sound, appearance, and engineering of a component that will be in the future known as a forever classic. Experience it in your home today with the security of Music Direct's Satisfaction Guarantee.

"It may have seemed as though it took forever to arrive, but the resulting Planar 6 is a simply outstanding turntable that's well worth the wait."
—Hi-Fi Choice, Recommended review

"Perhaps the closest thing there is at the price to a turntable that does everything."
—Hi-Fi Choice, five-star review and Group Test runner-up

"[The] P6 compels us to play record after record, to revisit music we love, and explore music we have yet to discover."
—Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound