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Identifies key components of the Rega Planar 2 turntable, including platter, tonearm, and power input.
Provides essential steps for safely unpacking the turntable, emphasizing keeping it flat and on a level surface.
Details phono lead connection for Rega Planar 2, specifying red for right and black for left channels.
Guides on setting the tonearm balance weight for tracking force and mentions automatic bias adjustment.
Explains how to change playback speed by repositioning the drive belt on the pulley.
Covers cartridge alignment for the Rega Carbon cartridge and mentions using a protractor for replacements.
Identifies key components of the Rega Planar 2 turntable, including platter, tonearm, and power input.
Provides essential steps for safely unpacking the turntable, emphasizing keeping it flat and on a level surface.
Details phono lead connection for Rega Planar 2, specifying red for right and black for left channels.
Guides on setting the tonearm balance weight for tracking force and mentions automatic bias adjustment.
Explains how to change playback speed by repositioning the drive belt on the pulley.
Covers cartridge alignment for the Rega Carbon cartridge and mentions using a protractor for replacements.
The Rega Planar 2 is a high-quality turntable designed for playing vinyl records, offering a blend of simplicity, performance, and elegant design. It is manufactured by Rega Research in England, a company renowned for its commitment to audio fidelity. This quick start guide is provided to ensure users can set up their turntable correctly for optimal performance and to maintain warranty validity.
The primary function of the Rega Planar 2 is to accurately reproduce audio from vinyl records. It achieves this through a carefully engineered system comprising a platter, drive belt and pulley, tonearm, balance weight, plinth, and integrated power and phono outputs. The turntable is designed to spin a record at a precise speed while the tonearm, fitted with a cartridge, tracks the grooves of the record, converting the physical vibrations into an electrical signal that can then be amplified and played through speakers.
The core of the Planar 2's operation lies in its precision-engineered components. The platter, typically made of glass, provides a stable and consistent surface for the record. It is driven by a motor via a drive belt, which ensures smooth and accurate rotation. The tonearm, specifically the RB220 model, is a crucial element, responsible for holding the cartridge and allowing it to move freely across the record's surface while maintaining the correct tracking force. The plinth, the base of the turntable, is designed to be rigid and stable, minimizing vibrations that could interfere with sound reproduction.
Setting up the Rega Planar 2 is designed to be straightforward, allowing users to quickly enjoy their vinyl collection.
Upon receiving the Planar 2, it is crucial to keep the turntable flat during handling. The packaging includes a guide for proper unpacking, and it is highly recommended to retain all packaging materials for future transport or servicing. The turntable should be placed on a rigid, level surface to ensure stable operation. Rega suggests that their turntable wall bracket is an ideal solution for achieving this stability, as it helps isolate the turntable from floor vibrations.
After unpacking, users need to ensure the drive belt is correctly in place around the sub-platter and motor pulley. A transport hub card, located beneath the sub-platter, must be removed before operation. Finally, the glass platter is carefully placed onto the hub, and the turntable mat is fitted on top.
The Planar 2 features external phono leads that must be connected to a suitable phono stage. The connection follows a standard color code: red for the right channel and black for the left channel. If the user's amplifier does not have an integrated phono stage, an external phono stage will be required. Rega offers its own phono stages, which are sold separately, to complement their turntables.
The RB220 tonearm is designed for ease of use, with an automatic bias adjustment. To set the tracking force, the balance weight (A) is screwed onto its shaft (B) until the stylus floats approximately 1mm clear of a record on the platter. Tracking force is then applied by turning the weight. Half a turn (180 degrees) of the weight corresponds to 1 gram of force. The suggested tracking force for the supplied Rega Carbon cartridge is 2 grams (360 degrees), and plastic plugs on the weight serve as a guide for this adjustment.
The Planar 2 supports two standard playing speeds: 33⅓ rpm and 45 rpm. Changing the speed is a manual process. Users simply remove the glass platter and move the drive belt between the two different wheels on the drive pulley – one for 33⅓ rpm and the other for 45 rpm.
The Planar 2 comes pre-fitted with a Rega Carbon cartridge, which is aligned and ready for immediate play. This eliminates the need for initial cartridge alignment for most users. However, if a user decides to replace or upgrade the cartridge, they should use the provided cartridge alignment protractor along with the cartridge manufacturer's guidelines to ensure proper setup. Rega also offers a "performance pack" for upgrades, which can enhance the turntable's capabilities.
The turntable's on/off switch is conveniently located underneath the plinth, maintaining the clean aesthetic of the device.
While the manual primarily focuses on initial setup and usage, some aspects touch upon maintenance implicitly.
The emphasis on saving the original packaging is a key maintenance feature. It ensures that if the turntable ever needs to be transported, serviced, or returned, it can be done safely, preventing damage during transit. This is particularly important for delicate audio equipment like turntables.
Placing the turntable on a rigid, level surface is not just for initial setup but also a continuous maintenance practice. It ensures consistent performance and minimizes wear on components that could result from an unstable environment. Vibrations can negatively impact sound quality and potentially cause premature wear on the stylus and other moving parts.
While not explicitly detailed as a maintenance task, the drive belt is a consumable component. Ensuring it is correctly placed and free from obstructions (like the transport hub card) is part of its ongoing care. Over time, drive belts can stretch or degrade, and replacing them is a standard maintenance procedure for turntables to maintain accurate speed.
The pre-aligned cartridge simplifies initial setup, but the cartridge and stylus are critical components that require ongoing care. Although not detailed in this quick start guide, regular cleaning of the stylus and knowing when to replace a worn stylus are essential for maintaining sound quality and preventing damage to records. The mention of using a protractor for cartridge replacement implies that users might engage in more advanced maintenance if they choose to upgrade or replace their cartridge.
The overall design of the Rega Planar 2, with its robust plinth and quality components, suggests a device built for longevity. Regular dusting and keeping the turntable free from debris will contribute to its long-term performance and appearance.
In summary, the Rega Planar 2 is designed to be an accessible yet high-performing turntable. Its user-friendly setup, combined with the quality of its components, makes it an excellent choice for both new and experienced vinyl enthusiasts. The guide emphasizes correct initial setup to ensure optimal sound reproduction and to uphold the product's warranty, reflecting Rega's commitment to customer satisfaction and product reliability.
General| Drive Type | Belt Drive |
|---|---|
| Platter | 10mm Float Glass |
| Tonearm | RB220 |
| Cartridge | Rega Carbon |
| Speed | 33 1/3, 45 RPM |
| Weight | 5.5 kg |
| Motor | 24V Low Noise |
| Output | RCA |
| Dimensions | 447 x 360 x 117 mm |
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