Rega Naia/aphelion 2

The Naia is the most efficient turntable Rega is aware of how one can make. Its roots return to 2009 when the corporate launched into a analysis and construction challenge that aimed to push its core engineering ideals of low mass and excessive pressure to the boundaries. No compromise was once allowed, as this was once a cost-no-object workout that was once by no means meant to be placed on sale. That supposed it might be designed purely for optimum efficiency the usage of probably the most unique fabrics and no regard to how it might in reality be put into manufacturing. The outcome was once the mythical Naiad turntable. However there was once an issue; other folks sought after to shop for it. 

In the beginning, Rega resisted the theory, however such was once the pastime that it was once pressured to place the Naiad right into a restricted manufacturing run of fifty devices. Those had been home made and so awkward to construct that most effective 3 other folks within the manufacturing facility had been thought to be professional sufficient to do it, together with the CEO Phil Freeman, a watchmaker via industry. The Naiad’s value? Yours for round £30,000.

Rega considers the Naia the production-ready model of the Naiad. The unique plan was once to design a deck that bridged the efficiency hole between the Naiad and the present Rega Planar 10 turntable, however that modified when the corporate discovered the new design might be advanced to compare the range-topper’s efficiency.

Construct & Design

After reviewing the Planar 8 and Planar 10 turntables, we’re aware of Rega’s unique skeletal plinths, however this design nonetheless seems outlandish. It’s unusually small and lightweight, and with regards to the new Naia includes a Tancast 8 foam core sandwiched on both sides via Graphene-impregnated carbon fibre. The froth reduces the transmission of vibrations whilst the carbon fibre skins lend a hand pressure. The realm between the arm base and major bearing is additional reinforced by way of ceramic braces, forming a stressed out beam meeting that avoids power absorption with out expanding mass an excessive amount of. Rega firmly believes that ‘mass absorbs power and misplaced power equals misplaced tune’.

The Naia’s major bearing meeting is particular. Each the central bearing and the spindle are constructed from a composite ceramic subject material referred to as ZTA (Zirconium Toughened Alumina), which is understood for its hardness and resistance to abrasive put on, making it splendid for this activity. Rega claims this to be probably the most correct and long-lasting major bearing meeting it has ever produced. The spindle sits in the course of a superbly machined aluminium sub-platter, which is one thing of a murals. This can be a disgrace this phase is hidden as soon as the ceramic major platter is in position.

Rega has used ceramic platters for years now, valuing their pressure. This may be one of the most few elements the place the logo’s engineers desire so as to add mass. The Naia’s platter is formed at the underside in order that maximum of its mass is targeted across the perimeter to lend a hand the flywheel impact and make stronger pace steadiness. A trio of round-sectioned belts attach the deck’s 24V motor and sub-platter. Rega spent 3 years researching and growing rubber compounds for its belts and has completed a degree of consistency and accuracy that it’s pleased with. Why 3 belts? The two.6kg weight of the Naia’s ceramic platter calls for those for a fast start-up and any microscopic variations between the 3 belts are levelled out, serving to pace steadiness.

The Naia’s motor is a 24V low-noise design managed via an outboard energy provide. This energy unit is housed in a functional-looking half-width field and gives digital switching between 33⅓ and 45RPM. The provision’s inside circuitry makes use of DSP and a high-stability crystal to make sure that the motor will get a blank and actual energy feed with every unit particularly adjusted for its partnering motor all the way through the producing procedure to minimise vibrations.

Rega makes giant claims for the Naia’s RB Titanium tonearm. Its form is also totally acquainted however, because the title makes transparent, it now makes intensive use of titanium quite than aluminium. The alternate of subject material and redesigned bearing meeting have led to a lighter and stiffer design. We like the glossy end, however it’s the precision and coffee friction motion of the bearings that provoke probably the most.

It’s conceivable to shop for the Naia with out the factory-fitted Aphelion 2 shifting coil cartridge for £9999 / $12,995 / AU$19,999, however the two pass so smartly in combination that we’d be tempted to shop for all the package deal. The Aphelion 2 sits on peak of the Rega cartridge tree. It has a graded black anodised aluminium frame and a boron cantilever with a fine-line ‘nude’ stylus. We have now lengthy been enthusiasts of the corporate’s three-point mounting association that guarantees that its personal cartridges are completely aligned within the headshell. It’s the sort of fuss-free association we want extra firms would observe go well with. Rega thoughtfully provides a torque wrench to verify the cartridge isn’t over-tightened into the headshell, so fending off any injury.

The Aphelion 2 tracks smartly on the advisable 1.9g downforce and has no problems running into our reference Cyrus Phono Signature phono level. We haven’t any doubt that Rega’s high-end Charisma MC phono level would ship even higher effects.

Sound

As we commence the trying out procedure, only for amusing we position the Aphelion 2’s stylus at the document however don’t delivery the motor. We flip up the quantity point on our amplifier and (very) flippantly faucet the give a boost to and a part of the plinth simply to listen to what sort of resonances the deck generates. It seems that the Naia’s inflexible but mild development method it is superb at coping with low-level exterior vibrations. We listen a handy guide a rough thud that temporarily dissipates. Making an attempt the similar factor with our reference Technics SL-1000R (a excessive mass, closely damped, direct pressure design) is eye-opening with that preliminary thud louder and lingering for longer. It’s accompanied via a stunning quantity of higher-pitched ringing from the deck’s construction. Infrequently probably the most clinical of experiments admittedly, nevertheless it strongly means that Rega’s mild and inflexible method has quite a few advantage. Even so, as with every document participant, if you wish to get probably the most from this deck, position it on a inflexible, low resonance give a boost to that is situated smartly away out of your audio system.

A supply at this point calls for top-class partnering apparatus. In conjunction with the aforementioned Cyrus phono level, now we have a shifting coil-equipped Burmester 088/911 MkII pre/energy mixture riding both ATC’s SCM 50 or Wilson Benesch’s A.C.T. 3Zero floorstanders. The machine’s cables are a mix of top class choices from Chord Cables and Vertere Acoustics.

We have now had quite a few revel in with Rega’s turntables and as we transfer up the fee issues from the entry-level Planar 1 throughout the Planar 3 and finishing with the Planar 10, it’s transparent that every step up the variety has a much less glaring sonic personality. They grow to be extra clear and put much less of an imprint at the recording. This procedure reaches its glaring conclusion with the Naia, which is largely the purest illustration of the corporate’s engineering philosophy to this point.

The ones anticipating sonic fireworks from the Naia/Alphelion 2 are in for a unhappiness. Whilst the primary few rungs at the Rega ladder excel at sounding extra entertaining and thrilling than lots of the festival, this range-topper isn’t that more or less product.  It prefers to step quietly into the background leaving the recording to take the highlight. The Rega sounds blank and crisp, turning in class-leading ranges of data with out ever edging into sterility.

That is very a lot knowledgeable music-making gadget. It has us gripped without reference to whether or not we hear to one thing grand like Beethoven’s 9th Symphony or the extra intimate tune of The Carpenters. On orchestral works, it renders an expansive soundstage that shows an excellent stage of intensity and center of attention. There may be quite a few air round tools and a beautiful loss of litter within the presentation, regardless of how advanced the tune will get. The Rega sounds as composed and regulated as they arrive but keeps the fluidity that many extremely resolving competitors lack.

There may be quite a few scale to the sound too, and for all its agility and articulation there’s a just right dose of authority when the tune calls for. Now and again when an element sounds rapid and responsive this is because it lacks low-end weight and tool. That isn’t the case right here, as a comparability with our Technics SL-1000R/Kiseki Purpleheart MC proves. Superficially, the Technics sounds extra muscular, nevertheless it doesn’t take lengthy to determine that the Rega is a lot better with low-frequency transients, turning in them with better heft and tool whilst additionally revealing that the Technics has a fairly sludgy high quality when put next. Somewhere else, we like the pure manner this Rega participant renders instrumental textures and will put across low-level dynamic shifts with such conviction. It sounds unique and fair.

The Wood worker’s Highest Of assortment proves that the Naia can shift down a equipment without difficulty, turning in Karen Wood worker’s pristine vocals with really extensive talent. There’s delicacy right here and an actual sense of pressure when wanted. Tonally, issues are as at the same time as you favor in our set-up, with the Aphelion 2 sounding balanced and ever so detailed. 

Court cases? The Naia is an outstanding performer in maximum tactics however its another way admirably off-hand strategy to music-making did go away us short of extra in the best way of rhythmic pressure. As we hear to Michael Jackson’s Easy Prison, we’re deeply inspired via the Rega’s talent to organise the dense instrumentation into a superbly cohesive and musical revel in, but nonetheless in finding ourselves wondering whether or not it will have to make extra of the track’s hard-charging momentum. Don’t get us flawed, this package deal is indubitably surefooted and assured when turning in rhythm tracks, however in comparison to a rival like Vertere Acoustics MG-1 MkII/Mystic it does sound slightly well mannered and subdued when put next.

Verdict

Even so, there is not any denying that the Rega Naia is an impressive success. It’s as insightful and natural-sounding a document participant as we’ve heard and manages that via actually bold single-minded engineering. It’s obviously one of the most highest high-end document gamers to be had at this point and a must-listen for any individual taken with realizing simply how just right vinyl can sound.

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Construct 5
• Options 3

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