Rega Planar 6 vs Planar 8 Turntable Comparison

SHOP THESE TURNTABLES:

We are going to start off with the feet. The Planar 6 and Planar 8 both have the same isolation feet made out of Santoprene and reinforced with aluminum trim rings. This design is great for preventing unwanted resonances from being transferred into the turntable.

Moving on up, the plinth of the Planar 6 is a solid flat structure compared to the super lightweight and skeletal structure of the Planar 8. Both are made out of Tancast 8, but the main difference is in the design. The Planar 6 comes with a high pressure laminate covered full-sized base, while the Planar 8 has a bare, small, skeletal frame that almost disappears underneath the platter.

The bearing hub assembly on both of these tables is identical. They both use an ultra-low-friction brass hub that is anchored to the plinth with a large machined aluminum collar for improved stiffness.

Just like the bearing hub, both the P6 and P8 use the same sub platter design. The sub platter is a single-piece, machined aluminum sub platter.

For the platter, the Planar 6 uses a double layer of float glass. The upper layer is a glass plate, while the second layer is a smaller bonded ring that follows the circumference of the top plate. The Planar 8 steps it up a notch with a third layer. This not only weighs more, but increases the flywheel effect even further. This translates into the music having more of a live, natural sound on the P8.

The Planar 6 uses the 24 volt, low-noise motor and Rega’s precision machined Reference Belt. The Planar 8 uses the same motor, but has an entirely different mounting system. On the Planar 8, the motor is mounted from the bottom and uses two belts made out of Rega’s EBLT belt material, improving the vibration isolation. Both turntable use the outboard Neo power supply

In terms of bracing, the Planar 6 and Planar 8 use what Rega calls their double brace system. Both systems sandwich low-mas phenolic material between aluminum on both sides.

On the Planar 6, Rega stuck with the same arm that was used on the Planar 3, the RB330. For the Planar 8, Rega updated the RB330 to the RB880 with aluminum vertical bearing assembly and much tighter tolerance bearings that can be adjusted down to 1000th of a millimeter. This new arm coupled with the Ania or Apheta 2 cartridge enables the P8 to track records with ease.

The Planar 6 comes with a nice full-sized standard looking dust cover. Due to the Planar 8’s unique profile, the dust cover had to be just as unique. The P8 is designed to be played with the dust cover completely removed, eliminating external vibrations.

Change the bottom, this needs to talk about the differences more

#Turntables #Planar6 #Planar8

[johannkrist]

I like the look of a P6 so I bought one. Now upgraded to a RB880 and Apheta2 cartridge and play through Rega Aria phonostage. The P6 is probably my last turntable.

[gregpantelides]

I've been rockin' my P6/Ania from Audio Advice for about a month now and I'm absolutely over the moon with it! This thing is dead quiet...I have to strain to try to hear ANY surface noise. While I'm sure the P8 is amazing....since I have a cat I need a table that can play with the dust cover on ;-)

Thanks Leon!

[bullshitumpire]

Good review. Looking at pulling the trigger on the 6 but the budget can't stretch to the 8. Would love to hear a comparison using the same cartridge for those of us with ordinary ears.

[paulyb]

P6 with Ania Pro, Fono MC Mk4, PrimaLuna Evo 200 Integrated and Klipsch RF8000 speakers. Happy with the P6 and my overall setup. Had the budget for the P8 but like some others below the aesthetics and practicality of being able to play with a dustcover down helped the decision on the 6 over the 8.

[likesnoozn]

Nice comparison video. I’m sure the Rega 8 sounds great, as evidenced by your toe tapping!
While I prefer the look of a dust cover off, I don’t prefer a rotating platter drawing even more dust in onto my records, especially if I care enough about them to shell out 3K for the 8.
I’ve never noticed unnecessary vibrations from a dust cover being down, as some audiophiles get all bent out of shape about.
Also, being so light and having such a small footprint, I’d be concerned about accidentally knocking it clear across the room.

[fredyoung]

A big yes! I like your video and I've subscribed your channel. Very enjoyable to watch.

[RonRivet]

Good review. There is a big difference between an Exact MM cart compared to an Apheta 2 MC cart in sound and in price.

[aaaz]

I'm picking up the 6 with a Hana ML today from Raleigh. Really looking forward to it! I could swing the 8 if I compromised on the cart and I just can't see myself doing it. This will have to do for now, but that 8 looks amazing.

[exzmbgx]

"The difference is" that the 8's motor is mounted on the bottom? So is the 6's. Same feet, same plinth material, same motor, same brace. Is the arm worth another $1500?

[guillenob]

04:18 "We prefer the look with the dust cover off" and then smiling to someone off camera makes me think there've been some strong positions on the p8 dust cover lol. Im guessing where to keep the dust cover while playing records. Don't think it looks bad but it surely isn't practical at all.

[theloveman]

Thanks for the review. Do the Planar 8s feet allow adjustability for leveling the turntable? Also, are the interconnect cables hard wired to the tonearm or can a person change the phono interconnect? Thank you for your feedback.

[mrpositronia]

I like the 8's cover. Generally, turntable covers are bulky and awkward. This is small and neat.

[jamiesmith]

Did you do a side by side with the same cartridge from the P8 on the P6 to really see if much a difference?

[Anybloke]

I find my Rega to be much more stable with the 3 crappy feet removed and replaced with 4 sorbothane half spheres.

[whenpiratesattack]

Killer video... I'll keep dreaming.

[esquilo______]

Hi great video! Do you think rega 8 would go well with integrated amp from Luxman l550axII? Thank you

[knockshinnoch]

The 8 dust cover is a missed opportunity for a unique stylish ergonomic design solution. As it is no thought has gone into it and it cheapens the overall aesthetic of the turntable.

[michelrichert]

Rule N°1 with audiophile stuff : when it's more expensive, it's better.

[iimv]

its weird how unstable the thing is. there is no foot under the tonearm, weird thing to do.

[rlwings]

I have a P1 that is dead quiet, hmm...