Rega Planar 6 vs Planar 8 Turntable Comparison

READ OUR COMPARISON: bit.ly/2MUURHA
SHOP THESE TURNTABLES:
Rega Planar 6 Turntable: bit.ly/2DINhM9
Rega Planar 8 Turntable: bit.ly/2I3G1jf
We are going to start off with the feet. The Planar 6 and Planar 8 both have the same isolation feet made out of Santoprene and reinforced with aluminum trim rings. This design is great for preventing unwanted resonances from being transferred into the turntable.
Moving on up, the plinth of the Planar 6 is a solid flat structure compared to the super lightweight and skeletal structure of the Planar 8. Both are made out of Tancast 8, but the main difference is in the design. The Planar 6 comes with a high pressure laminate covered full-sized base, while the Planar 8 has a bare, small, skeletal frame that almost disappears underneath the platter.
The bearing hub assembly on both of these tables is identical. They both use an ultra-low-friction brass hub that is anchored to the plinth with a large machined aluminum collar for improved stiffness.
Just like the bearing hub, both the P6 and P8 use the same sub platter design. The sub platter is a single-piece, machined aluminum sub platter.
For the platter, the Planar 6 uses a double layer of float glass. The upper layer is a glass plate, while the second layer is a smaller bonded ring that follows the circumference of the top plate. The Planar 8 steps it up a notch with a third layer. This not only weighs more, but increases the flywheel effect even further. This translates into the music having more of a live, natural sound on the P8.
The Planar 6 uses the 24 volt, low-noise motor and Rega’s precision machined Reference Belt. The Planar 8 uses the same motor, but has an entirely different mounting system. On the Planar 8, the motor is mounted from the bottom and uses two belts made out of Rega’s EBLT belt material, improving the vibration isolation. Both turntable use the outboard Neo power supply
In terms of bracing, the Planar 6 and Planar 8 use what Rega calls their double brace system. Both systems sandwich low-mas phenolic material between aluminum on both sides.
On the Planar 6, Rega stuck with the same arm that was used on the Planar 3, the RB330. For the Planar 8, Rega updated the RB330 to the RB880 with aluminum vertical bearing assembly and much tighter tolerance bearings that can be adjusted down to 1000th of a millimeter. This new arm coupled with the Ania or Apheta 2 cartridge enables the P8 to track records with ease.
The Planar 6 comes with a nice full-sized standard looking dust cover. Due to the Planar 8’s unique profile, the dust cover had to be just as unique. The P8 is designed to be played with the dust cover completely removed, eliminating external vibrations.
Change the bottom, this needs to talk about the differences more
Overall, these are both incredible turntables and the added improvements justify the price increase in the Planar 8. Weather you should go with the Planar 6 or upgrade to the 8 depends on the quality of your system to hear the differences between the two tables. If you have any questions about which table is the right for you, visit our Raleigh or Charlotte showrooms to demo these yourself, or call in or chat with us at audioadvice.com.
#Turntables #Planar6 #Planar8
MUSIC: Ryan Little - bit.ly/2J0BMlx

[@bullshitumpire]

Good review. Looking at pulling the trigger on the 6 but the budget can't stretch to the 8. Would love to hear a comparison using the same cartridge for those of us with ordinary ears.

[@johannkrist]

I like the look of a P6 so I bought one. Now upgraded to a RB880 and Apheta2 cartridge and play through Rega Aria phonostage. The P6 is probably my last turntable.

[@AudioAdvice]

That is a great set up! Happy listening!

[@user-xv4hh2ck9v]

Never say Never

[@gregpantelides1355]

I've been rockin' my P6/Ania from Audio Advice for about a month now and I'm absolutely over the moon with it! This thing is dead quiet...I have to strain to try to hear ANY surface noise. While I'm sure the P8 is amazing....since I have a cat I need a table that can play with the dust cover on ;-) Thanks Leon!

[@keithparkhill8546]

What do you think of the overall quality? Tancast 8 is what beer coolers are made from. I am torn between a p6 made out of beer cooler or a SOTA Comet iv made from wood.

[@revelationsoundstudio]

How are you getting on with your P6? I am looking at purchasing it at some time.

[@joebloggs8636]

@@revelationsoundstudio I got a 6 this summer and I love it...not that much different from the 8 and much cheaper .I really do love it .

[@likesnoozn]

Nice comparison video. I’m sure the Rega 8 sounds great, as evidenced by your toe tapping! While I prefer the look of a dust cover off, I don’t prefer a rotating platter drawing even more dust in onto my records, especially if I care enough about them to shell out 3K for the 8. I’ve never noticed unnecessary vibrations from a dust cover being down, as some audiophiles get all bent out of shape about. Also, being so light and having such a small footprint, I’d be concerned about accidentally knocking it clear across the room.

[@fredyoung9922]

A big yes! I like your video and I've subscribed your channel. Very enjoyable to watch.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@aa5az423]

I'm picking up the 6 with a Hana ML today from Raleigh. Really looking forward to it! I could swing the 8 if I compromised on the cart and I just can't see myself doing it. This will have to do for now, but that 8 looks amazing.

[@AudioAdvice]

That is great! You are getting a really good combo. We appreciate your support!

[@RonRivet]

Good review. There is a big difference between an Exact MM cart compared to an Apheta 2 MC cart in sound and in price.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you! As a general rule, moving coil cartridges extract a lot more information from a record. You normally hear more details, subtle changes in volume, and a more open and effortless top end. Many times you also get more bass punch and better tracking too. You do need a good moving coil phono preamp to hear the differences. To our ears, the jump to the Apheta 2 is huge. Thanks for watching

[@theloveman9]

Thanks for the review. Do the Planar 8s feet allow adjustability for leveling the turntable? Also, are the interconnect cables hard wired to the tonearm or can a person change the phono interconnect? Thank you for your feedback.

[@georgedoughly8682]

I love them Both!

[@AudioAdvice]

We do too!

[@esquilo______]

Hi great video! Do you think rega 8 would go well with integrated amp from Luxman l550axII? Thank you

[@AudioAdvice]

The most important considerations are the overall quality match and the cartridge to the phono stage in the amp. In general terms, a Rega 8 would be great match for that Luxman. The L-550AXII can accommodate both MC and MM (including low-output MC), but does not offer the flexibility to dial in gain or impedance loading. If you want to chat with one of our designers, don't hesitate to reach out to us at audioadvice.com. Thanks!

[@JohnSmith-zl8rz]

the dust cover of the 8 is awful.

[@mrpositronia]

I like the 8's cover. Generally, turntable covers are bulky and awkward. This is small and neat.

[@Josal]

great review

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

"The difference is" that the 8's motor is mounted on the bottom? So is the 6's. Same feet, same plinth material, same motor, same brace. Is the arm worth another $1500?

[@Jujuboy0]

Same neo powersupply Same sub platter Same platter material (just one added layer) Same Eblt belt (although there’s only one)

[@whenpiratesattack]

Killer video... I'll keep dreaming.

[@mauriziolagaxio4954]

I have got a brand new planar 8

[@georgedoughly8682]

Nice 👍🏼

[@knockshinnoch1950]

The 8 dust cover is a missed opportunity for a unique stylish ergonomic design solution. As it is no thought has gone into it and it cheapens the overall aesthetic of the turntable.

[@AudioAdvice]

Yep, it is functional, but with such a great looking table it could be more stylish. Thanks for watching

[@Anybloke]

I find my Rega to be much more stable with the 3 crappy feet removed and replaced with 4 sorbothane half spheres.

[@michelrichert9052]

Rule N°1 with audiophile stuff : when it's more expensive, it's better.

[@toneyisaiah408]

Both have dust covers to protect your records.

[@johannkrist]

dust covers are not there to protect your records. It's better to remove it while listening. The design of Rega dustcover is obviously for easy removal. After owning a P6 for three years and doing tweeks to my setup I found out that removing the dustcover did improve the sound that was before very good.

[@rlwings]

I have a P1 that is dead quiet, hmm...

[@rickmilam413]

If dead quiet is all you care about keep the power switch off...

[@mikaveekoo]

Could somebody explain why all Rega players lack the ground wire??

[@AudioAdvice]

Rega has the ground on the left channel. They prefer the audio performance using this method. Thanks for watching

[@mikaveekoo]

@@AudioAdvice So the left channel ground is connected to the cartridge of course but also to the ground post inside the player.

[@AudioAdvice]

@@mikaveekoo Yes, and in some cases you have to use a different ground method, we did a video on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXPEmqyZpK2grac

[@mikaveekoo]

@@AudioAdvice Thank you.

[@iimv]

its weird how unstable the thing is. there is no foot under the tonearm, weird thing to do.

[@AudioAdvice]

Fair enough. In person, it has plenty of stability.

[@ingenfestbrems]

2 totally different pickups 🤔

[@liamtait4523]

The P6 comes as a package with an Ania MC and the P8 comes in a package with the Apheta 2. they are on there for that reason.

[@Ceko]

Here’s an apple. But how does it compare to this orange?

[@tomzielinski9506]

@@Ceko my observation and I thought it through on you is Ceko is [ A Simple Man ] 😂😂😂

[@sevenman9672]

@@liamtait4523 The P8 also comes in a package with the Ania MC. This is supposed to be a turntable comparison - and it's a decent one - but using two different cartridges, especially decidedly varying in price ones from the same manufacturer, renders the conclusions based from listening a complete red herring. A pity.

[@user-xv4hh2ck9v]

The p9 is a step up

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, but it is 25 years old now, no longer a current model, but still a great table

[@MrAngtigre]

its not the cost of the turntable (although they do cost) its the cost of the record collection. And that's another thing eg: Jazz at the Pawn Shop - beautiful recording, but poor jazz - almost any Oscar Petersen record from Decca will walk it like chop sticks going through a plate of beef chow fun.

[@AudioAdvice]

Haha, thanks for watching!

[@RobertKohut]

Tables made from the stuff they used to pack them in a box for shipping.... LOL

[@AudioAdvice]

Haha, not exactly, but Rega believes in reducing mass. Thanks for watching

[@narabdela]

If you see an audio salesman tapping a foot and /or nodding his head, walk away!

[@MrMickymitch]

lol

[@darrenvickers1557]

Don't like the skeletal body much and absolutely hate the cover, looks cheap and nasty, at least with the PR8 you could leave the plinth surround on and use a traditional cover. step backward in my opinion style wise.

[@ck5404]

Why don’t mention prices ?

[@AudioAdvice]

We have found prices change too often to talk about them in our videos as 5 years later we get grief for not having it at the price someone saw in the video. We always have links to the products in the written article we link in the video. Thanks for watching

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Dual belt does nothing

[@robertfinnigan7507]

Hunt down a Thorens TD160 HD, pop a Hana low output MC on it....you’ll be in vinyl heaven 😀 Don’t like to hear folk calling turntables...tables either

[@twofiress]

haha nonsense :) i will stick to the R2.

[@hunkydorian]

"This here thing tracks records so well you don't hear any surface noise." Sorry. I'm just so sick of turntables. But I have to use them to listen to music. It's a shame that they gotta cost so much.

[@joebloggs8636]

Grow up man

[@toneyisaiah408]

I don't like it.

[@Ceko]

The 80’s called. They want their haircut back.

[@AnssiRai]

What's their number? I want my youth back. (By the way, how do they pay their phone bill?)

[@rickmilam413]

Leon's a great guy and very highly regarded in the industry. I guess I'm must not the fashion maven you are. Or a jerk, which your comment implies.

[@ElectoneGuy]

More audiophoollery...

[@margix1172]

ugly ugly ugly turntables...and way overpriced

[@tomzielinski9506]

@Mong man go to spec savers fella??? You are the troll

[@tomzielinski9506]

@Mong man 😂🖕🖕😂 get the message!!! See you at Old Trafford..

[@joebloggs8636]

Simpleton and imbecile sums you up.