Rega RP3 Instructions

Rega Planar Three

The RP3 has been designed and engineered to achieve outstanding performance way beyond the expectations of a product at this price point. Excellent build quality, reliability and ease of use combine to make a product which, if used correctly, will offer you a lifetime of musical enjoyment. Omitting unnecessary gimmicks allows us to concentrate the manufacturing costs on the high quality parts necessary to reproduce records accurately. The RP3 is fitted with a hand assembled RB303 tonearm, precision main bearing and a low vibration low noise 24v motor assembly which is individually hand tuned to its circuit to further reduce vibration. The minimalist design of the Rega RP3 and the use of extremely high quality components ensure that your turntable should last for many years. The tips on the reverse of these instructions will help increase the life of your turntable and ensure optimum performance.

Design features / DB Technology ( D ouble Brace Technology )

“ M ass absorbs energy - lost energy equals lost music ” ! Rega has pioneered the use of lightweight rigid plinths. Clever use of lightweight particulate core with a highly rigid phenolic resin skin became the foundations of the high level of performance achieved by the now iconic Planar turntable range. The latest generation of Rega turntables takes this design philosophy to the next level. A super lightweight plinth combined with a phenolic resin double brace mounted specifically where the increased rigidity is required ( b etween the tonearm mounting and the main hub bearing ) forms a structurally sound

“ s tressed beam” assembly. This rigid plinth design prevents energy absorption and unwanted resonances which will add unnatural distortions to the music. Equally, heavier mass can transfer more unwanted energy such as motor or bearing noise directly into the rotating record. The use of braces instead of the complete skin allows double thickness phenolic resin in these key areas while providing further weight reduction to the plinth which directly addresses the issue of mass absorption and unwanted energy transmission.

Manual speed change 33 RPM 45 RPM

You can change playing speed by simply removing the platter and moving the belt to either the 33rpm or 45rpm wheel of the drive pulley see fig 1. Electronic speed change is available via the TT-PSU ( sold separately ) .

33

1/3 rpm

45 rpm fig 1

RB303 Tonearm - Making the best better

Designed using the latest 3D CAD technology the new RB303 is the culmination of more than 30 years of tonearm design experience. Due to advances in technology we have been able to fine tune the iconic

RB300 tonearm design. Featuring a brand new tube with increased rigidity to the bearing housing, arm carrier and headshell coupled with intelligent redistribution of mass, ensure this arm will exhibit fewer points of possible resonance. Extreme stability with almost friction free movement from the high precision bearing assemblies guarantee to gather more information from your vinyl than ever before.

Setting up your RB303 tonearm

With the cartridge mounted correctly and set up using the alignment protractor ( supplied ) . Ensure that the tracking force control and bias adjustment slider are set to zero. ( P ull the bias adjustment fully out to set zero ) . Slide the balance weight along its shaft until the stylus is

“ f loating ” just 1mm clear of the record. The recommended tracking force can now be applied via the tracking force control shown in fig 3.

Always use a force which corresponds to the upper limit of the cartridge makers recommended range. Push the bias adjustment slider to the same number as the tracking force control. ie a recommended 2.0g tracking force = 2.0 on the bias slider. Ensure the cartridge mounting hardware is fitted correctly as shown in fig 2. fig 2

Third fixing

Cartridge mounting hardware

The nut should be mounted to the top of the headshell. Do not over tighten. NB Third fixing not included with all cartridges.

Drive Belt Drive Pulley Top Brace

Balance

Weight

Tracking

Force

Control

Bias adjustment

On/Off Glass Platter

Connection to the amplifier

Alignment Protractor fig 3

The tonearm external phono leads must be connected to your amplifier.

Connect as follows : Red right channel / Black left channel. If your amplifier does not have an integrated phono stage you will require an external stage ( sold separately ) .

Mount the turntable on a rigid, level surface. Avoid mounting on hollow or heavy cabinets or anything mounted on a flexible wooden floor. The Rega turntable support is the ideal solution.

Keeping the lid closed while playing records will prevent dust falling on to the record surface and should make cleaning unnecessary. Depending on the room environment and ambient temperature,

The arm earth ( or ground ) is automatically connected through the arm cable screening. No other earth method should be necessary.

Save the original packing in case you ever need to transport the turntable.

Do not use any polish on the turntable or lid. To clean, wipe gently with a soft cotton duster improvements. You can experiment to optimise the performance best suited to your room.

Do not use any record cleaner that works while the record is playing or any cleaners that use water or solvents. If you keep your records stored in their sleeves, avoid touching the playing surfaces and keep all water and fluids away, cleaning should not be necessary. Do not worry about visible dust on the record surface, this is brushed aside by the stylus during play. Dust collected on the stylus can be easily blown away. In general, record cleaning is overdone and one should not believe all the claims made by record cleaner manufacturers.

It is recommended to leave the turntable running during a record playing session. Switch on before the session and only switch off after you have finished.

Do not lift the centre hub out from the main bearing.

The bearing is factory assembled with a film of special thick lubricant. If the centre hub is removed this film may be disturbed and the accuracy of the turntable could be affected.

Rega turntables are designed to optimise performance for music reproduction and therefore no compromises have been made to give quick start times. The normal time taken for full speed to be reached is between 2 and 5 seconds.

Warning: Any attempt to repair or modify the turntable or tonearm by persons other than Rega approved personnel may invalidate the guarantee.

Should you experience any problem with your turntable please contact your Rega dealer.

Rega upgrades for the RP3 turntable

Drive Belt Upgrade

Turntable wall bracket

Fono MM or MC phono stage

Elys 2 hand made moving magnet cartridge

Exact hand made moving magnet cartridge

TT PSU electronic speed change and power supply

Platter 18mm glass platter and sub platter pack

Thank you for purchasing the RP3 turntable.

Details of the full Rega range and upgrade path are available on www.rega.co.uk or from your retailer.

Exceptional Hi-Fi designed and made in England