Rega Planar 2 Turntable with Nd3 Cartridge
Put on a record and hear a clear voice, a firm bass line and drums that keep the song moving.
A simple turntable should still sound good
You want a record player that is straightforward to live with, but not one that leaves the music sounding flat. Bass should have some weight, and you should hear the singer clearly when the band comes in. The other question is what you need to connect it to the system you already own.
The better cartridge is already fitted
We chose the Rega Planar 2 with Nd3 because its glass platter, RB220 arm and upgraded cartridge put the money into how your records sound.
The Nd3 is a moving-magnet cartridge, and the P2 has no built-in phono stage. Connect it to a suitable MM phono input on your amplifier, or use an external MM phono stage before a line input. An input labelled AUX or CD alone does not provide the amplification a cartridge needs.
The cartridge is already fitted and aligned, but the arm still needs balancing and setting to the Nd3's 1.75 g tracking force.
What the Specs Won't Tell You
Hear the singer without losing the bass line
On a record you know well, listen for the pitch of the bass notes and the tone of the singer's voice. The Nd3's bonded elliptical stylus follows the groove, while the RB220's low-friction bearings let the arm move freely. That helps keep the bass line distinct from the singer above it.
Give it a shelf that doesn't shake
Check the shelf against the P2's 447 mm width and 360 mm depth, then allow room for the rear cables and the lid to open. Keep the speakers on separate stands or furniture rather than on the same surface as the turntable. If footsteps make that surface move, a suitable wall bracket may help more than a heavier cabinet.
Know what happens between records
The motor switch is under the plinth, and you lower and lift the arm yourself. To change between 33⅓ and 45 rpm, remove the glass platter and move the belt to the other step on the pulley. If you often alternate LPs and singles, make sure that suits how you like to listen.
What the Nd3 package review found
What Hi-Fi? tested the P2/Nd3 and found clear detail in voices, with bass and drums that stayed easy to follow. In its test system, voices could sound a little restrained; the review also noted that changing speed means moving the belt.
The Audio Two Verdict
The P2/Nd3 is the package we would look at when you want a good turntable and cartridge together, without stretching the budget to a P3. If your amplifier already has a suitable MM input, you have the phono connection covered; if not, allow for an external stage. We would make sure the shelf is right and that you're comfortable with manual speed changes before you commit. If the P3 is within reach, compare both with Nd3 fitted so you can hear what its RB330 arm, bracing and thicker platter add.
Tech You Can Hear
| What You Hear | Why It Happens |
|---|---|
| More detail in a singer's voice | Factory-fitted Nd3 moving-magnet cartridge with a bonded elliptical stylus |
| Bass notes and quieter instruments stay easier to follow | RB220 arm with low-friction precision bearings |
| Sustained notes keep a steady pitch | 24 V motor, Advanced EBLT belt and 10 mm glass platter |
| Play both 33⅓ and 45 rpm records | Two-step pulley with manual belt repositioning |
Technical Highlights
- Drive and speeds: Fully manual belt drive; 33⅓ and 45 rpm, with manual belt repositioning.
- Tonearm: Hand-assembled Rega RB220 with adjustable bias and RCA phono leads.
- Cartridge: Factory-fitted Nd3 MM, bonded elliptical stylus, 5–6 mV nominal output and 1.75 g recommended tracking force.
- Motor and belt: 24 V low-noise motor with Advanced EBLT drive belt.
- Platter: 10 mm Opti-White float-glass platter.
- Finishes and covers: Gloss Black or Gloss White with clear cover; Walnut Effect with smoked cover.
- Size and weight: 447 mm W × 117 mm H × 360 mm D with the lid closed; 5.5 kg.
Why Choose Audio Two
Audio Two ships across Canada. If you don't have access to a proper high-end dealer in your city, this is your way in: real expertise from people who've heard the system, matched the electronics, and can guide you through a decision this size.