The record deck cartridge’s job is to translate the vinyl record’s groove into an audio signal. Records contain the most minute of details, microscopic bumps, peaks and troughs within the grooves translate into the amazing three-dimensional high-fidelity stereo sound we love to hear. The better the cartridge, the more accurate and detailed the sound from your loudspeakers will be. If you don’t retrieve the information off the groove in the first place, it does not matter how good the rest of your system will be; you simply cannot put that missing sound information back in.
Of course, a cartridge is only one part of a high-fidelity turntable; the record player arm can be classed as being more important; it has the job of holding the cartridge and allowing it to accurately track all the information in the record grooves. And, of course, the deck, the turntable motor and plinth all deeply impact the fidelity; a balanced approach is required.
Cartridges work by electromagnetism. A microscopic stylus tracks the grooves, which is connected to a short cantilever that disappears into the body of the cartridge. Within its body, a combination of coils and magnets turns the microscopically sized grooves of the record into an equally microscopic-sized electrical audio signal (which is one of the reasons why record players need a special amplifier called a ‘phono stage’ to work).
Carbon Copy…
Rega’s range starts with the ‘Carbon’, this model is ideal for either the Rega Planar 1 or Planar 2 decks. It features a conical stylus and a robust carbon cantilever.
Inside the cartridge, the cantilever connects to a micro-sized magnet, the vibrations from the record grooves literally shake this magnet in front of a series of fixed pick-up coils (a little like a guitar pickup, for any musicians reading this). The ‘Carbon’ has a very smooth, fuss-free sound. Weighty and smooth, it is an ideal cartridge to start any vinyl journey with.
The Next Dimension…
Rega are justifiably proud of their new ‘Nd’ range. An impressive 10-year development, and of course, near 50 years of Rega experience, bring these exciting new cartridges to us. There are three models in the range, Nd3, Nd5 and Nd7. To start with, all three feature an exceptionally lightweight and rigid body, made from a state-of-the-art glass polymer. This provides these cartridges with a more open and faster sound than the ‘Carbon’ or many of their competitors can provide. All feature Rega’s three-point mounting system, which removes the need for complicated cartridge alignment when fitted to a suitable Rega arm. The conventional moving magnet used within most cartridges (and the carbon) has been dispensed with in favour of a super-powerful ‘Neodymium’ type magnet, which is lower in mass, and therefore faster and cleaner sounding. The cantilever is a lower mass aluminium type, which again helps give more details and finesse to the sound.
The Nd3 features a high-quality elliptical profile bonded stylus, which can help dig out more information from the grooves than the simple spherical type. This gives a much superior sound, more open, more height and depth to the sound. The stylus is critical on any cartridge. An Nd3 is a great upgrade on the Planar 2, and the perfect starting point on the Planar 3.
On the Nd5 model, the stylus is further improved again. Rather than bonding (cementing) the pure elliptical stylus directly to the cantilever, a much harder to manufacture ‘nude’ stylus is used; the stylus is mounted directly into the cantilever without the use of a bonding material. This, in layman’s terms, results in less moving physical mass and a faster, more accurate sound than even the Nd3. More space and more sense of clarity. Use on the Planar 3 or Planar 6.
Top of the Nd range Nd7 takes the stylus profile to a higher level. So far, we have seen conical on the Carbon, and elliptical on both the Nd3 and Nd5. On the Nd7 an even smaller, more delicate stylus profile is used, which of course results in even more detailed sound, a bigger sense of air and space within your recordings, and cleaner, sweeter treble. This could be the ultimate upgrade on a Planar 3 and is recommended for both the Planar 6 and Planar 8 decks.
It is worth pointing out that at Doug Brady Hi-fi we can demonstrate Rega’s cartridges and are more than happy to fit and set up on your deck free of charge, to help take the worry out of setting up.
Above the Nd range, we venture into a different type of cartridge design called moving coil. In all models discussed so far, the cantilever has connected to a magnet that moves as the record plays. As the name suggests, in a moving coil, it is the coil that moves, and it is the magnet that is fixed. Magnets for moving coils tend to be heavier than moving magnet types, and winding the tiny coils is a much more delicate operation. In addition, the already low electrical audio signal from the moving magnet type is even lower with a moving coil, requiring a more expensive phono preamplifier to use one.
ANIA, ANIA PRO, APHETA 3 and APHELION 2, Moving Coil…
Both ANIA and ANIA PRO use a similar ultra-rigid body to the Nd range, but of course, both feature moving coil generators. The differences are quite marked. Moving coil cartridges are simply more three-dimensional, spacious and more musical. The coils have lower mass than the magnet types, and this results in more details. Their mechanical requirements and lower audio signal mean they are only for use in the best systems. The ANIA suits both the Planar 6 and Planar 8; the better quality RB880 arm is perfect to keep control of them.
Similar to the Nd5, the ANIA PRO features a nude elliptical stylus and a more rigid tapered aluminium cantilever. The ANIA features a bonded elliptical and a standard aluminium cantilever. The PRO impresses with a more confident sound, more power and more force compared to the standard ANIA, both deliver shockingly good fidelity at their respective price points.
APHETA 3 features a complex and state-of-the-art aluminium body, which provides further mechanical rigidity and greater realism to the sound. Perfect for mating to the Planar 8 and Planar 10 models. The APHETA also features a ‘fine line’ stylus for even more detail retrieval than either of the ANIA models.
At the very cutting edge of technology sits the range-topping APHELION 2 reference. The metal body is produced down to zero tolerances, the cantilever uses a lower mass and more rigid Boron material. The very finest microscopically thin wire is used to produce the delicate moving coils. The result is a cartridge that accurately follows the complex record groove and delivers the highest attainable fidelity. This top-of-the-range cartridge deserves a top-of-the-range turntable, Planar 10 or the technical tour de force of the NAIA.
From the best introduction to vinyl with the Carbon, through to pushing references with the APELION models, every Rega cartridge has been carefully thought out and exceptionally executed, guaranteeing you the ultimate sound regardless of your budget.