Rega RP8 Turntable

RB808 Tonearm

The RB808 tonearm is packed with new features pushing the boundaries of tonearm design. All Rega tonearms are meticulously hand built by a team of highly skilled technicians. The RB808 has improved bearings and a tightened spindle fit tolerance over previous models (each bearing is individually selected to find the perfect match for the chosen spindle). This is a proven method of increasing the amount of detail retrieved from the record surface.

A brand new low mass precision engineered vertical bearing assembly has been manufactured to further compliment the inherent design philosophy of the Rega RP8 turntable. The RB808 uses the latest Rega arm tube. Completely redesigned to redistribute mass, further reduce stresses and resonances. This advanced design tube increases the stiffness and rigidity of the overall assembly using CAD design to blend the multiple varying tapers.

Externally we have fitted a bespoke Rega designed low capacitance phono cable, which uses an advanced phono plug assembly. This has only two parts to minimise joints and incorporates a twist and clamp design locking the plug to the terminal. The design increases connectivity and ensures the signal path is kept as clean as possible.

Custom TT-PSU power supply

The compact TT-PSU uses a high stability, crystal locked, low distortion sine wave generator. This, along with an efficient drive amplifier fed from a stabilised DC power supply, generates a 24v AC balanced signal of less than 0.05% distortion, which is completely un-affected by any changes in the mains/line voltage and conditions. This then drives the improved Rega anti-vibration circuit built into the RP8 motor PCB.

Magnesium and Phenolic – Dual bracing

A super lightweight plinth combined with a double brace mounted specifically where the increased rigidity is required (between the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing) forms a structurally sound ‘stressed beam’ assembly. This design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonances which will add un-natural distortions to the music.

The Rega RP8 takes our double brace technology to the next level. Not content with an unprecedented stiffness to mass ratio, Rega have obsessively reduced any resonant properties by using two different materials for the new stressed beam. The top layer is magnesium and the bottom layer is phenolic (two of the lightest and stiffest materials available). Incorporating two different materials into the brace structure lowers their ability to pick up unwanted airborne vibrations.

Simply put, different materials have different natural resonance. By using two different materials together they decrease the natural frequency of each other by self-damping.

N.B Rega will always use materials in the form that achieves maximum performance. The raw magnesium will develop patina and change colour over time, this is perfectly normal. Coating to prevent this discolouration would affect sonic performance therefore the material remains raw. If you wish to bring the shine back to your magnesium top brace careful use of metal polish will restore it to its original condition.

Super flywheel effect triple layer glass platter

The new Rega RP8 three piece laminated glass platter is the result of collaboration with a small, emerging, young British glass engineering company. As a general rule the only part of a turntable that requires extra mass is the turntable platter in order to achieve constant rotational speed. However a heavier platter creates more problems for the main bearing design so again an ideal compromise creates the best solution.

Practically this means keeping as much of the mass to the outside rim of the glass platter to create more flywheel effect but keeping the inside of the platter as light as possible without sacrificing stiffness. The RP6 was the first Rega turntable to use a precision engineered glass ring laminated to the outside using modern CNC techniques to ensure concentricity.

The Rega RP8 takes it one step further by laminating three rings together to produce the RP8 super flywheel effect glass platter – an engineering triumph !

Skeletal plinth design with polyolefin foam core

Controversially Rega has always researched methods of producing light but stiff and rigid plinths. The technology is simple: unwanted noise at microscopic levels is developed by the turntable motor and main bearing. The plinth can also pick up airborne vibration from the music.

From the beginning in the 1970’s, Rega pioneered the use of a stressed skin structure for the plinth. This uses two layers of phenolic resin with a lightweight particle or fibre board sandwiched between the skins. This technique has been used in many applications where stiff, light structures are needed such as an aircraft wing or a Formula 1 chassis.

The current increase in interest in turntables has allowed Rega to research and develop higher technology structures for the customer who is happy to pay a little more for higher sound quality. The RP8 turntable utilises a unique new stressed skin structure produced from thin phenolic skins sandwiching a featherweight nitrogen expanded, closed cell, polyolefin foam core.

This material has been developed exclusively for Rega over a three year period. The RP8 plinth is 7 times lighter than the weight of the original Planar 3 plinth. Rega has added even more stiffness in the crucial area between the arm and the main bearing.

De-coupled outer frame and dust cover

A common problem for many skeletal design turntables is the inability to incorporate an effective dust cover into the design. We have constructed an outer frame that minimises contact between the inner and outer plinth. The only points of contact are three location devices on the feet which centralises the inner and outer plinths perfectly. This makes set-up extremely easy and allows the use of a dust cover. The RP8 can be used without the outer frame if so desired.

Key features

Hand made RB808 tonearm / precision engineered bearing and aluminium sub platter/ triple layer float glass platter / custom matched TT-PSU individually tuned to its own motor / Rega’s pioneering skeletal plinth design / Apheta MC available as factory fitted (optional) / Magnesium and phenolic bracing.