Rega's NAIA Turntable -A Fast, Full-Featured Video Tour

Nothing beats a fully developed and considered written review of a complex product like a turntable so while this short video provides the basics, please read the full review of the NAIA turntable on The Tracking Angle website. It covers the turntable technology, the unique construction of the Rega Aphelion 2 cartridge and what distinguishes the RB titanium from other Rega arms. Also, you can listen to a hi-res digital transfer made using the NAIA.
Subscribe to TrackingAngle KZbin channel!
Follow Tracking Angle on social media!
Facebook group: / 605454337542602
Twitter: / tracking_angle
Instagram: / trackingangle

[@michaelritchie666]

Thank you very much, Michael. I have been a Rega fan for a long time and all my systems have had Rega components in them. My current system is all Rega sans cables and speakers… I have heard the P10 and the Niad… What a treat. Thanks for both reviews. Have a nice day.

[@ptg01]

STUNNING !!!!

[@pizzaearthpancakesandother2549]

I love it when Mike shows us record players; more new record players. Which reminds me I saw him at a high end audio show in Bangkok, at The Landmark Hotel, around 8 years ago, doing one of his record playing seminars. I was a white guy at the back of the room. In fact I'm still a white guy. Remember me Mike? I was yelling "More new records!" until security told me to leave.

[@andymouse]

LOL !!!!!

[@trackingangle929]

How could I forget???

[@andyachim4621]

I like when Michael goes to the "EXTREMES". I have, among the other TTs, REGA P10 and I love it. Once you get used to the look you're OK. I also bought ARIA phono stage to keep everything in the same stable. The cartridge is also REGA APHETA 3. This is the lightest turntable I've ever had and it shows that weight does not matter!!! Happy listening.

[@jeffreythurston1822]

Really beautiful design. Such a different philosophy.

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

I like how they spent 4 years with those belts. Cool backstory.

[@bryceallan5743]

www.rega.co.uk/download/Rega_drive_belt_design_history_2021.pdf this is an even deeper dive

[@user-dz8ld1np8y]

Happy Birthday Michael!

[@trackingangle929]

Thank you! I spent most of it playing records!

[@bartfeis3925]

Happy BD Michael and thanks for the review! Wonder if you teamed up the Naia with your CH Precision P10 and if so, is this a combination that makes sense?

[@screamallyouwant]

I bought the EBLT belt for my P3 and it made a huge difference. Everytime I start the platter the belt make this loud squeek. I hade to switch back to my old P2 belt. With the loud motor noise and Rega hum it was just too embarrassing.

[@gdwlaw5549]

When your bread and butter business works so well ( and with zero marketing budget) they can have fun building this turntable. I love new technology and materials. I work in lens production and just love learning about new software,machinery and coatings. It makes me even prouder of my Rega components to this come on to the market. I can understand that many of you here have many very expensive cartridges and want to swap them around. Well, just buy an extra turntable too…..joking, of course. Long live the vinyl community and support your local stores.

[@edwardcowburn2632]

I didn't notice a power switch. Is it done through the PSU? I bet the sound is fantastic. Right now I'll have to stick with my Riga P3 because 16K for me is not doable.

[@trackingangle929]

Yes, 33 and 45 selectable via the PSU. If you go to the TrackingAngle website you can listen to a hi-res transcription.

[@fanclub670]

Hello, Do you think that P10 will be better than P9 (rb900) ?

[@dougjoha]

I always wondered about the lifespan of the sandwiched foam as ive seen many a speaker surround and headphone pad disintegrate over time so glad to hear it will last at least a lifetime. Still love my old Rega P9 to this day.

[@turokforever007]

It is rotting in front of your eyes. But how fast is unknown.

[@rixvspinner]

If the foam composition were to change in any way, the specs of the turntable would change. Also, this table is not a massively built turn table that looks like what it costs frankly, and that's a negative factor I think. I know as someone who has been into turntables for over 35 years, it's always been partly about mass and rigidity, not just rigidity. I would prefer to see a table that balances the mass, heavy build quality with the rigidity, especially at this price point of the Naia. So a table weighing maybe 5 times or more than what the Naia weighs, with maximum rigidity.

[@paulranson6973]

The original RB300 from 1983 had a tungsten counterweight.

[@mpmcruz]

I bought recently a P10 turntable and the philosophy of Rega is totally different from other manufacturers; It’s not a bout mass but rigidity. And using inexpensive materials.

[@trackingangle929]

The ceramic aluminum oxide parts are not inexpensive

[@barrybrennan2135]

Nice, Michael.

[@manolokonosko594]

Cars are made from common, cheap materials outsourced off the shelf standard parts supplied by various manufacturers from across the world. This Rega turntable was made using precise handcrafted designs using only the most exclusive rare exotic materials, some used in space exploration, and some (like the belts) one of a kind in-house, from decades of dedicated design and research so that the listening experience won't just be about playing that KISS record, but from the ultimate satisfaction and bragging rights, that this turntable has been manufactured to extreme accuracy by experienced British instructed craftspeople in China, thus acquiring an international flavor to be aded to the music output. Did you know that ships carrying these products are purposely made to sail on the roughest seas so that the violent rocking movement of the ship grants these materials a type of natural tuning the same way port wines and fine cognacs are improved using the same methods? Rega sells you a turntable beyond the usual spinning platter, tonearm and stylus. They are engaging you in the purity of your emotions, which are never duplicated on anyone else, and can forever be claimed as a life experience only the few and dedicated enthusiasts are able to partake. Rega is sound PLUS emotions. As human beings, with so much misery in the world, we need an escape. This turntable will add years of zen like joy to your life. Sex can never achieve that. This is why there are so many channels featuring unhappy women: the men found better and more fulfilling enjoyment in vinyl. No judgement. No body shaming. Everyone that can afford it is invited. And if you can't afford it, there are banks for loans and places where you can sell a kidney for cash. Don't be left out of the Club.

[@PickanPop]

I mean...it's great, but you could get an AMG Viella 12 for a few grand more and I'm guessing that it's going to sound much more refined if not more detailed.

[@craigenputtock]

And if you want to use different cartridges, and no VTA ...?

[@mazzysmusic]

I used a different cart. A Hana Unami Blue on a Rega P8. Added a 2mm spacer. No issue.

[@stargeeezer]

SRA no problem, shims will get you there. Azimuth is a different matter. There is no perfect cartridge. That needs to be adjustable.

[@trackingangle929]

As I wrote in the review on the website PLEASE READ IT! You can send your new cartridge to WallyAnalog. They will analyze and return with high quality shim that corrects both azimuth and VTA/SRA and will tell you your cartridge’s zenith angle error and how to compensate if there is one. Obviously if your cartridge costs $500 you won’t be investing same in this service but for a $3000 or more one it’s worth it!

[@stargeeezer]

@@trackingangle929Yes, I am very familiar with Wally. Awesome tools. It just doesn't seem right to me have to go to a third party to make this table play to its optimum. For all the technology in this table it seems like it would be trivial to add some way to adjust the Azimuth. So many of us do this ourselves as the many sales of your DVD tells. I'm not trying to be a Dbag here Mike I am truly a fan just voicing my opinion.

[@rega1039]

⁠hi sir Michael im using ania pro to my p6 ask please if its worth to send it to WallyAnalog to be correct or upgrade my cartridge to Apheta3!? Thank you and god bless you sir

[@kosiekoos9408]

Compare P10 with another price comparative tt- lets see

[@tplayford2006]

Rega helped launched my passion for vinyl playback, but I learnt the importance of proper cartridge setup through subsequent upgrades. Despite how technically advanced this sounds the lack of easy azimuth or VTA (without 3rd party products or MacGyver-solutions) really puts me off.. Perhaps Rega will someday come up with a tonearm that achieves these flexibilities whilst satisfying their thirst for rigidity.

[@trackingangle929]

Everyone who does proper turntable set ups relies upon 3rd party products. So I'm not sure why you object to their use.

[@tplayford2006]

@@trackingangle929 I mean in terms of native adjustment available in the tonearm itself. Rega arms dont allow azimuth adjustment, nor have any ability to raise or lower the arm mount. I would have to add shims to headshell for azimuth or similar under tonearm mount for VTA / swap out turntable mats (cartridge height permitting). I use a Kuzma 4Point and can adjust everything aspect of setup to a precise degree very easily- and I highly value that.

[@Dave-if5qj]

My biggest complaint with rega is the cheap cartridge pins that can break super easy when Changing cartridges

[@BorisJurash]

Credit to Rega that they still manage to price their flagship turntable at a human price. They focus on what matters, bearings, mottor, stiffness. The only thing that bothered me is their fascist attitude to cartridges. I don't like their cartridges and lyra or even flagship audiotechnica sounds way better and cost less, on RP 10 or Naim but it's a pain ti set it up, with spacers and matts. PS anyone who attempts to put spacers on this or P10 be advised that ceramic oxide is very hard, therefore very brittle like glass. Torque it very carefully between 0.4-0.6nM

[@trackingangle929]

If you invest in a Lyra or any cartridge priced above a few thousand dollars, you can send it to WallyAnalog and have it scientifically assessed for VTA/SRA, azimuth and even zenith angle, which they have discovered can be up to 9 degrees off (that's defective). You get back a shim manufactured from a super hard material that inserted into the head shell corrects for VTA/SRA and azimuth and you'll know how far "off" is the zenith angle so you can correct that too. FEW cartridges are correct there, sad to say...then you have the benefit of Rega's rigidity and correct SRA and azimuth.

[@BorisJurash]

@trackingangle929 @trackingangle929 totally agree on that. You only need to set it up once, and not having various complications on a tonearm adds to rigidity... I tried to set it up once with a microscope once myself on a less costly cartridge, but nearly broken my neck and got cross-eyed for a day... I have reached out to WallyAnalogue, but had to put it on hold till better times. Thank you for the advise, that reconfirms my decision

[@rega1039]

❤👍🏼

[@user-xv4hh2ck9v]

What 3 grand for a rubber belt now???

[@tl9756]

Nope, around $75 bucks ea.

[@scottspinner1]

What cable is used.

[@trackingangle929]

It's Rega's own hard wired

[@andymouse]

Makes no difference

[@ingenfestbrems]

Decades old Denon DP 100M Had 0,003 wow&flutter WRMS .. take that Rega

[@swcblad]

that makes a car cheap, but is it more expensive to make than a car?

[@manolokonosko594]

Cars are made from common, cheap materials outsourced off the shelf standard parts supplied by various manufacturers from across the world. This Rega turntable was made using precise handcrafted designs using only the most exclusive rare exotic materials, some used in space exploration, and some (like the belts) one of a kind in-house, from decades of dedicated design and research so that the listening experience won't just be about playing that KISS record, but from the ultimate satisfaction and bragging rights, that this turntable has been manufactured to extreme accuracy by experienced British instructed craftspeople in China, thus acquiring an international flavor to be aded to the music output. Did you know that ships carrying these products are purposely made to sail on the roughest seas so that the violent rocking movement of the ship grants these materials a type of natural tuning the same way port wines and fine cognacs are improved using the same methods? Rega sells you a turntable beyond the usual spinning platter, tonearm and stylus. They are engaging you in the purity of your emotions, which are never duplicated on anyone else, and can forever be claimed as a life experience only the few and dedicated enthusiasts are able to partake. Rega is sound PLUS emotions. As human beings, with so much misery in the world, we need an escape. This turntable will add years of zen like joy to your life. Sex can never achieve that. This is why there are so many channels featuring unhappy women: the men found better and more fulfilling enjoyment in vinyl. No judgement. No body shaming. Everyone that can afford it is invited. And if you can't afford it, there are banks for loans and places where you can sell a kidney for cash. Don't be left out of the Club.

[@Dave-if5qj]

Rega turntables can seem Somewhat unorthodox In there designs But they can relly sing

[@latheofheaven]

Hey Michael, always enjoy your presentations and reviews, thank you kindly for all your hard work! BUT... if I may please mention something to you. I was reading one of your fellow's reviews on Ace Frehley's new album 10,000 volts. Now, I'm not saying that I have the best taste in the world or anything, but usually, I almost always agree with you. But Bro... did you read his review of this album. He went on and on in glowing terms about how great it was. But, honestly, yeah, the first couple of songs are killer, but I truly felt that most of it was quite pedestrian, bland, plodding, and very boring. I frigg'n *LOVE* Ace, I really do, and he has done WAY better than this, His playing is of course always great, but Michael, the compositions and arrangements on this one were really below par. I just wanted to mention this to you, I don't know if it really is that important to you. But, since it is your site and this is your guy, I thought maybe I could humbly mention that you might want to take a look at that review, and maybe listen to the album. I mean, seriously, how can I give any reviewer credence or rely on their opinions when I truly feel they are that far off on something like this. It's like you say for yourself, your dependability and reputation (such as it is 😁 J/K...) is vitally important for people to rely on you. I would think that you would feel the same way about your people who write for you. I hope you don't mind my bringing this to your attention. Thank you Michael! Just so you know, I felt strongly enough about this to post a thread on the Steve Hoffman Forums (in polite terms of course) and already the first two replies fully agreed with me that they felt the album was pretty awful.

[@HP_____]

Why do high end manufacturers always machine the bearing shaft and the spindle as one piece that allows the bearing vibration to travel all the way to the spindle that's in contact with the actual record? I'd prefer to have them decoupled from each other. Some other more enlightened manufacturers are doing this.

[@andrewlittleboy8532]

When Akai introduced their GX Glass heads they claimed they would never wear out and in fairness I suppose that was true but they didn’t imagine 40 plus years later people would still be using them. Jump to present day and evidence has shown they actually chipped slightly with use. Could this be an issue with ceramic bearings and if so, could it be more of a problem than slight wear? Just an observation, not a criticism.

[@512bb]

I have no doubt that this is a great sounding package & a steal if compared to a full boat Linn LP12 but the lack of an azimuth adjustment is a bridge too far in a reference grade arm. If I was willing to be tied to their cartridges only then I would be ok with it. However as you know first hand Michael as demonstrated by your vast cartridge collection, being tied to only one choice defeats the whole purpose of the hobby. And with 12,000 records, just far too many special cartridges to settle for only one specific brand.

[@trackingangle929]

Agreed. The WallyTool workaround is the solution

[@67Pepper]

One thing that bothers me about the design is the use of 3 belts. Why would they go to the trouble of producing a round cross section belt with "extreme accuracy" when they could use a single flat belt that would rotate the subplatter effectively? Many years ago AJ Conti was frustrated that his flat belts didn't provide consistently accurate speed stability so he devised a process where he ground his belts so that the cross sectional thickness was the same throughout the full length of the belt, thereby providing accurate and consistent speed stability. One belt with extreme accuracy versus 3 belts and 3 machined grooves in the pulley. I know which method I would choose.

[@trackingangle929]

Yes. AJ did with flat belts what Rega does with their proprietary O-rings. Ultimately it's where you get to no how you get there. I think part of the reason for Rega's choice was to keep the profile low ..

[@67Pepper]

@@trackingangle929The width of one flat belt would be less than the overall width of 3 round belts, not sure what you mean. I'm not trying to be argumentative , just making an observation. I spoke with AJ at length 20 years ago. He was very happy to share his design concepts, a shame he is no longer with us.

[@bryceallan5743]

To clarify, if you have three belts that are really well-made, but nothings 'perfect' in the world what you're gonna do is multiply any error and then divide this error by three

[@tl9756]

@@trackingangle929 Well, Rega engineered a better way did catch the part where Michael writes "average speed was even better: 33.331, with a percent deviation of 00.00%. I don’t recall ever before seeing all zeros"

[@avery7001]

?buy any records this week?❤😢😂😮🎉😅😢😊😮😅

[@Cpt_Squizzle]

Law of diminishing returns …. Pretty much anything up from a P6 is just minute incremental for massive cost increases

[@trackingangle929]

I wish that were so. P6 is “sweet spot” for sure but P10 is considerably better and this is major

[@GiancarloBenzina]

It’s a wonderful tradition that all innovation sales people sell comes from airspace, outer space or military. We don’t need a normal industry anymore, saves us a lot of cost and emissions. Why invent a complex NASA gimmick, instead of using items brought by us by normal industry in mass, just that it’s from a producer with a tighter tolerance and production process? Doesn’t sell, right? Does that make a difference? Isn’t the difference worth the extra cost? Yes and No. Everything makes a difference, everything in sound and cost, but as long as all a hungry for the next rocket-ship and willing to pay, a balanced top-end solution isn’t on the target list. It’s like selling Motorcyclists for the path-less offroad 180HP Motorcycles with 300Kg weight to juggle around alone in some rocky desert at 100mph. Oh, I forgto, yes that’s the current norm.

[@GiancarloBenzina]

Still a great turntable at a high, but somehow subjectively good price.

[@gweflj]

I like Rega (the RB series arms are design classics IMO) but I see so many basic design flaws with these TT's that the use of exotic materials and high precision just seems redundant.

[@zamkezambo]

And the clown has spoken...

[@gweflj]

@@zamkezambo So you were so personally offended with my opinion that you had to name call? That doesn't do much for your cause. Let me guess, you've already purchased a multiple thousand dollar foam turntable?

[@GiancarloBenzina]

@@gweflj it’s correct and necessary to question design decisions, there’s no clownery about that. As long as one follows-up the scepto-curiosity with real interest and research (listening, understanding the tech applied), etc. We’re all just curious and more or less understand why that is the solution. While Michael hammered on the plinth the arm was dancing, can’t tell me it has no impact. Ultimate Rigidity can’t be ideal as forces need to be absorbed and not lead to structural separations only hold together with high-tech glue. So we’re not told the whole story here, understandably.

[@gweflj]

@@GiancarloBenzina 100%. The low mass, high rigidity philosophy is the absolute opposite of optimal TT design. There are vastly more external airborne and structural vibrations that will be amplified by such a design rather than removal of internal, inherent, vibrations. I have no idea why Rega is so wedded to this philosophy but I could be cynical and say that it gives them a unique marketing story.

[@trackingangle929]

I think the clown reference was because you come, you declare "design flaws" but don't cite any. That's clownish.

[@englishrogue2649]

I listened to one of these. Honestly, it sounded terrible. My cheap Arcam CD player knocked it outta the park.

[@trackingangle929]

I find that difficult to believe.

[@manolokonosko594]

$16K so you can play your $10 Foreigner records at full high fidelity. I don't question it. If it means $$$ to me, I would peddle it too. Whatever it takes.

[@trackingangle929]

I don’t play $10 Foreigner records on my turntable. However your comment is profoundly ignorant and worse exudes some other malodorous attributes. I doubt you have ever heard great vinyl playback and so don’t understand what this is all about.

[@papabear1417]

Pearl acoustics did this over a month ago. Bit late to the show Mr Fremer

[@trackingangle929]

Oh a U.K. based site? It's also 8 hours ahead. I am sure my full written review on The Tracking Angle website is far more thorough, but of course you didn't read it and so come here with a 'bit' of snark. Such is the Internets.

[@Bissingerlaw]

I doubt I’m the only person who follows both sites and as much as I value Harley‘s views, I think he’d be the first to say that different perspectives from knowledgeable reviewers are a good thing

[@gdwlaw5549]

@@trackingangle929I’m based in Europe and enjoyed the Pearl acoustics review as much as yours. You shouldn’t have to justify anything and it’s not even worth replying to some of these comments. I would thoroughly recommend you try the Pearl Acoustics solution one day. Harvey, the company owner’ is an extraordinary person. I have also purchased some of his in-house vinyl productions. I even had to upgrade my stylus for one of them! Thankyou

[@avery7001]

They should include a looking glass tie with belt purchase ❤😢😅😂😢😅😊😮🎉😢😂❤

[@drumsac3004]

Heard it….its bright and grating . Didn’t like it.

[@trackingangle929]

@@drumsac3004 what cartridge, phono pre etc. because it is neither bright nor grating IMO

[@drumsac3004]

@@trackingangle929 aphelion 2 installed from the factory. All Rega amps and the Rega phono stage.

[@r423sdex]

Way overpriced.

[@jdekong3945]

No it isn’t, if you want to see overpriced look at other manufacturers

[@Kowinaida]

How is it overpriced? Which turntable do you have?

[@gweflj]

@@jdekong3945 It's foam with sheet UD carbon on the top and bottom. Both fairly cheap compared to something like a slab of aluminum.

[@avocadochoe]

@@gwefljmaterial cost yes, but manufacturing research costs are far beyond the typical high mass belt driven system.

[@Pluralofvinylisvinyls]

@@gwefljcars are just made of metal and plastic and glass

[@Abefroman-lq3md]

My Mantail is engorged

[@faludabutt8253]

Why tap Michael?

[@trackingangle929]

An impulse test tells you something but not everything about isolation but a great deal about damping.

[@faludabutt8253]

@@trackingangle929 If you are able to achieve perfection in the analogue domain, meaning perfect isolation, vta, vtf,rake angle, azimuth, and so on, wouldn’t living in this domain become boring? The fun is endeavour to achieve perfection but never getting there 😊