We are about to see the largest change in the Rega cartridge line up for many many years!
Although the Elys2 and Exact are still doing well they will be replaced very soon. There are three new moving magnets to come:
The Nd3, Nd5 and Nd7
Eagle eyed among you will say that looks like the Rega moving coils and you are right. The body is the same moulding in super tough thermoplastic. Polyphenylene sulfide since you ask!
Using tooling that is already paid for allows Rega to spend big money on other parts.
The magnet used in this new range is NeoDymium, a world first for a moving magnet it is already in the Rega moving coil cartridges.
It is extremely light and powerful and makes the unique generator layout the most dynamic available.
Nd3 uses an aluminium cantilever and elliptical stylus and replaces the Elys2 at the same price!
Nd3 will be available during July 24 and will also feature as a factory fit option to both Rega Planar 2 and Planar3.
Nd5 features a vital elliptical stylus and replaces the Exact, again at the same price!
It will be a factory fit on Planar 3 and Planar 6 from September 24
AND there's MORE
In September we will also see the Nd7 which features a fine line stylus profile as used on the High end moving coils Apheta 3 and Aphelion!
This will be £ 450 and will be available as factory fit on Planar 6 and Planar 8
So why go to all this trouble with a moving magnet when moving coil is superior I hear myself asking myself.
Glad you asked Michael, you see it's the number of turns on the MM that generates the higher output and also rolls off the high frequencies, the biggest limitation of moving magnets.
The Nd magnet being more powerful and this new generator layout means that you can have fewer coils and extend the frequency response so that these new Nd models close the gap between MM and MC.
AND you might assume that all this micro technology is made in China, of course not, that's not the Rega way.
The coils are wound at the Rega factory in Essex and the cartridges are assembled and tested there. The cartridge bodies are made in England and as many parts as possible for all Regas are sourced in the UK. In this case the stylii could be from Switzerland.
Now I haven't had them here yet so watch this space for when they do arrive!
Can't wait.
