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Rega RB880 Tonearm

(1 Review)

£725.00

£604.17 Exc. VAT |

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Customer Reviews (1)

Rega RB880 Tonearm

Designed using the latest 3D CAD & CAM technology,the new RB880 is the culmination of almost 40 years of tonearm design experience. This tonearm features a new aluminium vertical bearing housing, a redesigned sleeve and vertical bearing shaft (both manufactured from stainless steel) to improve mounting stability and overall rigidity. The advanced tonearm tube is designed using intelligent redistribution of mass, ensuring this arm will exhibit fewer points of possible resonance. The extreme levels of stability achieved, coupled with almost friction free movement from the high precision hand matched bearing assemblies, guarantee to gather more information from your vinyl than ever before.You will also find Rega made new low capacitance phono cables terminated with high specification phono plugs.

Rega is famed for its tonearm designs. One unique characteristic of these designs is the achievement of near frictionless movement horizontally and vertically whilst having no measurable free play in the bearing assemblies (and in reality one or two microns of pre load). So, why has Rega spent over thirty years and invested so heavily in this area of tonearm design where the removal of even microns of movement has been pursued?

A brand new low mass precision engineered vertical bearing assembly has been manufactured to further complement the inherent design philosophy of the Planar 8 turntable. The RB880 uses the latest Rega arm tube. Completely redesigned to redistribute mass and further reduce stresses and resonances. This advanced design tube increases the stiffness and rigidity of the overall assembly using CAD design to blend the multiple varying tapers.

Externally we have fitted a bespoke Rega designed low capacitance phono cable. Which uses an advanced phono plug assembly. This has only two parts to minimise joints and incorporates a twist and clamp design locking the plug to the terminal. The design increases connectivity and ensures the signal path is kept as clean as possible.

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Stunning Rega Arm, Cartridge & Pre amp

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

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