Rega Planar 2 Review: Fitted with the Nd3 Cartridge - Sweet-spot Affordable Turntable?

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for watching! If you enjoy the content, please consider supporting the channel by using the discount codes in the description of this video or by signing up to the Sound Matters Patreon for exclusive content every month. I earn a small commission on the discount codes at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support. Happy spinning.

[@bruffyb3796]

I've just upgraded my planar 2 with the vm95en nude elliptical and it's made a huge difference.

[@soundmatters]

Nice. Nude elliptical makes a huge difference. Happy spinning

[@TheJimmyboy38]

Great Review I took it one step further I upgraded my Planar 2 with the 3 Tonearm and the ND5 be interesting on a review of that one love the channel by the way fabulous for us Vinyl lovers

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for watching. Yes, I’d be very curious to hear how much of difference that makes. Keen to compare the Nd3 with the Nd5 as a starting point 🎶

[@jfmartins1971]

Ive been using a 1978 Planar 2 with a cherry wood plynth a Jelco arm with Ortofon headshell and stylus. Its my daily driver and i love it. Haven't heard the 21st century model yet

[@DaveHill-t6p]

The ND5 on a Rega Planar 3 is also transformative. With the Planar 3 and upwards the external Psu has the speed change built into it.

[@tonyokeeffe6696]

Thanks Mark, Another interesting and engaging review. Lots of helpful asides as always. Keep up the good work!

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for your kind words. Happy spinning 🎶🎧

[@larryhoffman7471]

Fine review. I'm very pleased with my P2, even though I purchased mine before Rega smartened up and included adjustable bias. I'm using a Nagaoka 200 on it and it sounds sublime.

[@soundmatters]

Thanks Larry. I really like the balance of Nagaoka carts. Sounds like a great combo

[@C90C60C30]

Love your videos mate. On a TOTALLY different tack/subject, I noticed on a shot of this current video, you play clip of a record that has a slight ‘off-centre-press’. These are the bane of my life. Would you consider a video concerning why these exist and due to quality control, how they are still allowed to ?!?!?!

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for watching! Yes, these can be a right pain. I covered this a while back on the channel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGmXf2t-h9KFbposi=IL3Dej-KB38JE_o0 Two years ago it seems... time flies. Happy spinning!

[@6643bear]

Hi mark great interesting video, do you think nd3 is better than the eylis 2 cartridge. I think the p2 at the price point with its quality of components is good . Regards mark

[@soundmatters]

Hi Mark. The Nd range replaces the Elys and it seems the general consensus is that it's a nice improvement. Thanks for watching!

[@patricksullivan9340]

Hey Mark, Great video…keep ‘em coming! Probably not for me, as I detest manual belt movements, and fixed headshells. A question…is there a stylus path upgrade for this cart?

[@soundmatters]

Totally get that. It annoys me too these days. There is not an upgrade path I'm afraid. A worn stylus has to be re-fit by Rega. The carbon is detachable, but not the other models. There must be a design reason for this, but of the top of my head I'm not sure exactly why Rega haven't embraced the more modular designs of Ortofon and Audio Technica. I will have to ask my contact at Rega!

[@stetsonsteve]

Hi , I’ve recently purchased a p1 and was wondering if it’s possible to upgrade the cartridge to an ND3. I’ve also noticed that US firm L P, do an elliptical stylus replacement for the Rega carbon, and am wondering if it’s available in the UK? Love your videos by the way, keep them coming.

[@soundmatters]

Hey Steve. Sorry for my delay here: lots of comments and I try my best to respond to all. I'm pretty certain the Nd3 isn't a good match for the P1, hence why it's not a factory fit option. I would image you could use the Audio-Technica ATN3600LE Elliptical Stylus on the Carbon as I believe the Carbon is just a re-badged AT3600

[@enricolisk1357]

Hey Mark, my Pro-ject debut carbon evo has adjustable feet. Adjustable feet were 1 critical feature I needed.

[@soundmatters]

Hey! I reviewed the debut carbon evo a while back but can't recall if it had adjustable feet. Need to recheck that. In the absence of them, I've found the Sounddeck Isolation discs can be quite handy in getting mostly level while also further absorbing vibrations. Happy spinning!

[@enricolisk1357]

@@soundmatters probably i should try & get the isolators. Thank you for the mention.

[@sonhouse9636]

adjustable feet are definitely not a lifestyle feature, it's more of an essential in my opinion

[@soundmatters]

I do hate having to place things under to get level. I've found the Sounddeck Isolation discs can be quite handy in getting mostly level while also further absorbing vibrations.

[@piratecraig1]

another great review have you heard or used New horizon gear?

[@soundmatters]

Thanks for your kind words. Not as yet: do you have any opinions on it? 🎶🎧

[@piratecraig1]

@@soundmatters I've had one for about 18months, using a 2m blue, really good quality table and audio, I believe out of Italy.

[@jedi-mic]

I've always thought how does the Rega/ Audio Technica carbon compared to the goldring E1 what is carbon, that's a very nice sounding cartridge. be nice to have a comparison!! between the two? maybe you could do that? don't think there's anything out there nobody's done a comparison between the two I think the E1 will win.

[@michaelfidler8218]

Another good video, Mark! I'm not sure how much the moving mass of of the magnetic pieces on MM cartridges contribute to the overall moving mass, but anything that increases the field strength is a good thing. It would be nice to see one with a lower number of turns (and hence lower inductance) to push the electrical resonance further into the ultrasonic region. Unfortunately, we're still living with the history of valve-era electronics when it comes to these devices, as the designers optimised almost everything for higher voltage output (as valves don't produce much gain and therefore more gain equals more expensive valves). Ideally, if we were designing them today, we would go for a lower number of turns in the housing/body part of the cartridge that would produce less output voltage which wouldn't be an issue for modern electronics and wouldn't have an electrical resonance at the top of the audio band.

[@soundmatters]

Thanks Michael. Increased power combined with more delicate coils it would seem. Here's what REGA said about the design in terms of that side of things "This new cartridge is created with miniaturised parallel coils which are wound in-house, utilising 38-micron wire with just 1275 turns. This produces a low inductance, low impedance generator giving vastly improved high frequency response."

[@michaelfidler8218]

@@soundmatters that sounds very stylish, but it would be nice to know the actual DC resistance and inductance, rather than the tangential details - I can't seem to find anything about these on the Rega site! Alternatively, if you have a multimeter, we could derive some unofficial specs...

[@simonarcher1510]

For the kind of money Rega want for the Planar 2 I don't expect to have to remove the platter to change RPM. While I understand why they do this, it's just not for me.

[@soundmatters]

Totally get that. It annoys me too these days. All have to build to a price I suppose and choose which features they want to prioritize. If you play a lot of 45s or albums mastered at 45, it can be super annoying. Thanks for watching!

[@keithbrowes1974]

I've recently fitted the vm95 ml to my P3, I think it's brilliant.

[@RoyKartadinata-k9f]

You compared ND3 to 2M Red, how is it compare to 2M Blue?

[@soundmatters]

The 2M Blue is a nude elliptical making it more of a direct comparison, but that said, the 2M Blue still sounds "zestier" and more forward in the mid-range than the Nd3. The 2M Blue (I find) has less sibilance than the 2M Red.

[@RoyKartadinata-k9f]

@@soundmatters Thanks for that. I'm planning on upgrading my cartridge and your comparison helped me decide. 2M Blue it is 😃

[@soundmatters]

@@RoyKartadinata-k9f You'll enjoy the 2M Blue :)

[@enricolisk1357]

One downside of the Nd3 is that you need to take it to Rega for a stylus change due to damage or wear. Makes it worse if you are in a country (Sri Lanka, my motherland) that doesn't have a Rega dealer. I would advise not to get this as your 1st turntable.

[@soundmatters]

Indeed: that is one downside. I can't remember what the reason is for Rega not embracing detachable stylus designs, but I'm sure there is an engineering reason. Annoying if you're abroad, for sure. At least with the three bolt installation design, alignment is made super-simple when the stylus comes back to you. Happy spinning and thanks for watching!

[@enricolisk1357]

@soundmatters The trickled down tech from MC carts follow a similar limitation because the cantilever has the stylus at one end, and the neodymium magnet at the other end inside the cartridge body. To my knowledge.

[@DaveHill-t6p]

I believe all Rega carts have robe returned for a Stylus change

[@enricolisk1357]

@@DaveHill-t6p The Raga Carbon is the only MM cart that Rega has (to my knowledge) & it has a detachable stylus. Leaving out the 78RB cart which is for 78RPM playback. The rest are MC that need to be sent back to Rega for stylus change. Rega MC carts from entry to ref: Ania, Ania Pro, Apheta 3, Aphelion 2 Ref.

[@regaresearchuk]

A good Rega dealer / distributor will have stock of replacement cartridges, simply return the worn or damaged one to them for a same day replacement.