Rega Planar 6 Turntable
Hear more of the piano's tone, the weight of the bass and the small changes in a singer's voice.
Hear the quieter parts without losing the bass line
Sometimes a turntable sounds clear until the recording gets busy. Then the bass starts to cover the piano, or a quieter instrument becomes hard to follow. Moving up should help you hear those parts together, not just make the sound brighter.
More to hear from the records you already own
We chose the Rega Planar 6 because it keeps the bass, voice and quieter instruments easy to follow at the same time. Its foam-core plinth, machined aluminium sub-platter and dual-layer glass platter are a change from the construction used in the P3 models, not simply a new cartridge fitted to the same deck.
The P3 RS and P6 both use the RB330 arm and come with a Neo supply. With the P6, you are paying for changes to the deck itself, not another control or a longer list of features.
You can choose an Nd5, Nd7 or Ania Pro cartridge, or order it without a cartridge if you already have one you want to keep. We would check its fit and condition before moving it over.
Tell us which amplifier or phono stage you have before you choose the cartridge. The Nd5 and Nd7 are moving-magnet cartridges and suit an MM phono input. The Ania Pro is a low-output moving-coil cartridge and needs a suitable MC phono stage. The included Neo powers the motor; it doesn't replace the phono stage.
Give the deck a rigid, level shelf or stand, and keep the speakers on a separate surface. Leave space for the Neo supply too, with its controls within reach and the box as far from the turntable as its cable allows. That last point helps reduce the chance of the cartridge picking up hum.
What the Specs Won't Tell You
Bass with weight and a clear stop
The P6 is lighter than the P3 RS, and the foam-core plinth is a big part of its design. Rega uses stiff skins and bracing to support the arm and bearing without a heavy base. You should still hear weight in the bass, but with the pitch and end of each note easy to follow.
Keep a piano note steady as it fades
Listen to a held piano note: its pitch should stay steady as it fades. The P6 combines a motor matched to its Neo supply with a machined aluminium sub-platter and dual-layer glass platter to keep rotation steady. You also get electronic speed selection, so changing between 33⅓ and 45 rpm doesn't mean lifting the platter and moving the belt.
Choose the cartridge for the sound, not just the label
The Nd5 is the starting cartridge package, with a nude elliptical stylus and a moving-magnet output. The Nd7's fine-line stylus can follow smaller changes in the groove, giving you a way to hear more detail while keeping an MM phono stage. The Ania Pro is the next comparison for finer texture and separation, using a Vital-profile stylus and a low-output moving-coil generator. It needs a suitable MC stage; we would check the gain and loading before recommending that package.
What the current Nd7 review found
In its updated review of the P6/Nd7, What Hi-Fi? found that bass, piano and voice stayed clear without one overpowering the others. The review also stressed matching the amplifier and speakers carefully, and giving the deck a rigid, level support.
The Audio Two Verdict
The P6 with Nd7 is the combination we would put on the shortlist when you want to hear more from your records and already have a good MM phono stage. It lets you take advantage of the finer stylus without making a move to MC part of the purchase. With a capable MC stage, we would also compare the Ania Pro for what it adds to voices, instrumental texture and separation. If you're also considering the P3 RS, a P6/Nd5 comparison keeps the cartridge the same and lets you hear the difference between the decks.
Tech You Can Hear
| What You Hear | Why It Happens |
|---|---|
| Quieter instruments remain easier to follow | Rigid Tancast 8 foam-core plinth with HPL skins and bracing |
| Bass notes have a clear start, pitch and stop | Rigid bearing support and precision-machined aluminium sub-platter |
| Sustained piano notes keep a steady pitch | Individually matched 24 V motor and Neo supply, Reference EBLT belt and dual-layer glass platter |
| More groove detail while keeping an MM phono connection | Optional Nd7 cartridge with a fine-line diamond stylus |
| Change between 33⅓ and 45 rpm without removing the platter | Electronic speed selection through the included Neo supply |
Technical Highlights
- Drive and speeds: Belt drive with manual arm operation; 24 V motor, custom-matched Neo Mk2 supply and Reference EBLT belt, with electronic 33⅓/45 rpm selection.
- Tonearm: Rega RB330 with RCA phono leads; requires an appropriate external or amplifier-integrated phono stage.
- Cartridge options: No cartridge; Nd5 or Nd7 MM, each with 5–6 mV output and 1.75 g tracking force; Ania Pro MC with 0.35 mV output, 1.75–2.0 g tracking range and 100 Ω recommended load.
- Construction: Tancast 8 polyurethane foam-core plinth with HPL skins and double bracing; single-piece machined aluminium sub-platter.
- Platter: 16 mm dual-layer float-glass platter.
- Finishes and covers: Matt Polaris Grey with smoked cover, or Matt White with clear cover.
- Size and weight: Turntable measures 447 mm W × 120 mm H × 360 mm D with the lid closed; 5.2 kg, with the Neo supply separate.
Why Choose Audio Two
Audio Two ships across Canada. That said, a system at this level is worth a conversation before you commit: we can make sure it's the right fit for your room, your source, and how you actually listen. Reach out and we'll help you get it right.