Rega Apheta 3 MC Phono Cartridge
The Rega Apheta 3 Moving Coil Cartridge is a further refinement of the first MC cartridge that Rega ever released back in 2005. And remember, it took them more than 4 years of research and development before they bought the original Apheta to market so you can be absolutely sure that the Apheta 3 is Rega's clear vision of how a top level cartridge can sound. Musical, detailed, involving and, considering the build quality and performance on offer, great value for money.
For more than 15 years Rega has been perfecting its unique designs of moving coil cartridges. They have pioneered undamped micro mass generation systems coupled with high integrity jointless bodies. In recent times they have achieved new levels of power from rare earth magnets. This 15 year evolution using the latest technological manufacturing process and recognised laws bought the hugely successful Apheta 2. With the Apheta 3 Rega have pushed another boundary. For several years they have been developing state of the art diamond profiles of a "Fine Line" design mounted through 90 degrees (the same technique used in the Aphelion 2 reference model) this work has resulted in Apheta 3 extracting even more detail from the record groove which of course translates into more music.
Apheta 3 features a super high-powered, neodymium magnet and a coil meticulously hand wound on an iron cross that is fifty percent smaller than the MK1 model. This weight reduction allows the cartridge greater freedom to track the vinyl groove. The Apheta 3 is housed within a completely redesigned, single piece, aluminium anodised body and protected by a CAD designed, smoked rigid cover to protect the internal fine wires, making handling whilst fitting, safe and risk free. The Apheta 3 is the perfect partner for the latest Planar 8 and Planar 10 turntables and can be supplied factory fitted at a discounted package rate. Please ask us for 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 these bodies are machined from one piece of the highest quality aluminium. This is a difficult and expensive process requiring all of Rega's 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.
Conventional MC cartridges utilize a steel suspension system (tie wire) which creates a high amplitude H.F. resonance (normally around 8-12 kHz). Such resonance is unacceptable and is usually damped by a rudimentary piece of foam rubber. However, the foam rubber deteriorates with age and cannot prevent the complete structure from vibrating and "ringing". The specifics and adjustment of the tie wire and damping determine whether the cartridge is under damped (bright) or over damped (warm and bass heavy). A happy medium is rarely achieved. This encouraged Rega to pursue a new direction inspired by modern materials and the basic laws of magnetism. The Apheta 3 contains neither a tie wire nor a foam damper. Moving coil aficionados will all recognise the long search for super clear, high frequencies combined with firm, tight bass, inherent characteristics all Rega moving coils exhibit.
Our Take On The Rega Apheta 3 MC Phono Cartridge
The upgrades to the Apheta 3 include a completely redesigned, single piece, aluminium anodised body protected by a CAD designed, smoked rigid cover to protect the internal fine wires, making handling whilst fitting, safe and risk free. Rega have also fitted a state of the art "Fine Line" diamond profile stylus (as used on the Aphelion 2 reference model) which has resulted in the Apheta 3 extracting even more detail from the record groove which of course translates into more music. Here at Audio Trends, we have extensive experience with the Apheta 3 on the Rega Planar 8 turntable and to say it is special is gravely underselling just how good it really is. This is a cartridge that really sings which once again goes to show that no one does vinyl quite like Rega.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: High Quality Moving Coil Cartridge
- Fine line profile nude diamond stylus
- Iron micro cross assembly
- Ultra-high powered custom Neodymium magnet
- High specification wire
- Aluminium CNC machined one piece body
- Tracking Pressure: 1.9 - 2.0 grams
- Input Load Impedance: 100 Ω
- Output Impedance: 10 Ω
- Nominal Output Voltage: 350μV
- Channel Balance: ≥ 20μV
- Separation: ≥ -29dB
- Mass: 6 grams
- Load Settings For Adjustable Moving Coil Phono Stages
- Impedance: 100 Ω
- Capacitance: 1000 pF
- Gain Setting: High ('On' position for Rega phono stages)
- Hand Made in England
- Manufacturer's Warranty: Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects. Does not cover normal wear on the stylus through use.
- Learn more about Rega
Note: Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE