Rega Ania Pro Moving Coil Cartridge

Product Details

Rega’s Moving Coil cartridge design is unique in its approach to achieving an ultra-low mass generator which is undamped (no tie wire) using a unique rhomboid pivot for the cantilever powered by a purpose designed, exclusive to Rega, Neodymium magnet system.

This type of design requires a zero-tolerance engineered cartridge body which is Rega’s area of expertise and with the Apheta 3 and Aphelion products these bodies are machined from one piece of the highest quality aluminium. This is a difficult and expensive process requiring all of Rega’s forty-four years of experience to achieve. In particular, the “zero” tolerancing of the body is required in the alignment and dimension of the pivot pad mounting hole and the magnet mechanism mounting hole relationship.

The Ania Pro body uses a unique polymer/ 40% glass combination called Polyphenylene Sulphide (PPS-Fortron). The special attributes of this material are its hardness and stability in shape and dimension post moulding, both critical for the performance of Ania. Now came the challenge. Rega designed and prototyped using SLA systems in just a few months, proving the validity of the design direction.

Now we had to design a production mould tool capable of extreme accuracy and long life. PPS is a difficult polymer to mould and requires special attention to how the mould tool operates. Couple this to an almost unmouldable complex shape of the Ania body and a very considerable challenge faced the Rega engineers and the toolmakers chosen. The toolmakers are of the highest technical skill level, using the most accurate Swiss EDM CNC machines, their regular customers being the military and medical industries, routinely working down to a micron (one thousandth of a millimetre).To achieve this intricate body shape required the most complex high pressure injection mould tool that Rega has ever designed. The tool has eight major parts, four of which must move in perfect synchronicity with each other to achieve each cartridge body. The design and manufacture of this “work of art” took an entire year to produce and was made exclusively by the most senior toolmaker requiring all his lifetime of artisanal experience.

Combine this special PPS body with its high specification stainless steel inserts, a unique rhomboid pivot system, a tried and tested high performance, diamond tipped elliptical stylus cantilever with low mass moving coil generator assembly and you have new market leading musicality, performance, speed, clarity, and detail as never before at this price.

Technical Specification

Tracking Pressure 1.75 - 2.00g
Input load impedance 100 ohms
Output impedance 10 ohms
Nominal output voltage 350μV
Channel Balance : ≥ 20μV
Separation : ≥ -29dB

Mass 6g

Key Features :

Iron Micro cross & coil assembly
One of the world's smallest MC generators.
Cutting edge neodymium magnet.
Vital profile nude diamond stylus.
High specification fine wire.

Load settings for adjustable MC stages

Impedance -100ohm
Capacitance - 1000pF
Gain setting - High ('On' position for Rega phono stages)

Fono MC dip switches settings (factory set at Rega)

Aria MC dip switch settings for all Rega MC models

Average Rating (1 Review):

Write a Review and share your opinions!

Rating:

Stunning Rega Arm, Cartridge & Preamp Combo

04 February 2024 | Barry

After much deliberation, listening and discussion with our friends and Analogue Seduction, I purchased the Rega Ania Pro, moving coil cartridge along with the Rega RB880 tone arm with the matching Rega Fono MC Mk 4 phono stage preamp. For the Roksan Xerxes 20 turntable to accommodate the Rega components, a Xerxes / Rega arm-board completed the package.
I initially approached this alteration with some apprehension, as my previous experience of fitting an arm to this deck was an old and trusted SME3009 with Shure V15 cartridge (an excellent and detailed combination when it is finally set up - getting there was a trauma).
Anyway, lo and behold the Rega components fitted, arm & cartridge was quickly aligned, and the deck adjusted to suit the new combination. Stylus pressure & bias was soon sorted and checked with the ubiquitous HIFi Sound Test Record. Unlike the SME / V15 combination the Rega combo would not cover band C of the lateral modulation without a little mis-tracking. All other section of the HiFi obstacle course was tackled with ease. However, this does not detract from the musical performance. Whilst the SME Shure V15 is detailed, clear and clinical the Rega is a little coloured but powerful and inviting ! It feels more comfortable with Rock, Blues and big Orchestra, rather than delicate strings or vocals, where V15 excels. This is still new set up and the cartridge still is being run. It reveals little nuances with every vinyl I play. The Rega set up presents a different experience to the SME / Shure one that I wholly welcome and enjoy. The Arcam SA20 and Totem Sttafs, floor standing speakers, rise to occasion and appear to enjoy the music..
Knowledgeable friends have suggested I pair this Rega combo on a P8 or 10 turntable. That may be another venture and experience, just in case, I am having the 3009 refurbished by SME !
PS - I have copied this review for each of the component, it only needs to to read once. Thank you Simon and all at Analogue Seduction