Rega Nd7 Moving Magnet Cartridge
The Nd7 Moving Magnet Cartridge was developed over 10 years and promises to deliver 'next level' performance from moving magnet technology. The Nd range (patent pending) is a world first to use an ultra-high powered Neodymium magnet which allowed Rega to create this totally unique design.
Each Nd7 is meticulously hand-made by Rega's highly skilled technicians. The Nd7 uses their most advanced "fine line" nude diamond profile for the ultimate in detail retrieval. (The same profile is used on Rega's high end MC models the Apheta 3 and Aphelion 2). This profile has an exceptionally small radii Monocrystalline manmade diamond with the minor radius being just 3µm (microns) as viewed from the top and 30µm in the vertical when viewed from the front. This profile allows immediate adjustment to very small changes in the vinyl due to the small contact area of the diamond which results in exceptional levels of detail being retrieved. The design uses brand new generator geometry with perfect symmetry to achieve highly accurate channel balance. The Nd7 also has an optimised pole gap for superior linearity and cross talk characteristics, this provides a far wider soundstage than the previous models. This new cartridge is created with miniaturised parallel coils which are wound in house utilising 38-micron wire with just 1275 turns. This produces a low inductance, low impedance generator giving vastly improved high frequency response. In keeping with Rega's commitment to sustainability, the Nd range is supplied in 100% recyclable packaging.
Nd Magnet Technology: Often used in Moving Coil designs (including Rega's own) Rega believe the Nd7 is the first moving magnet to utilise a Neodymium (Nd) N55 magnet. This is the world's most powerful commercially available magnet and is a crucial component that makes this unique design possible by delivering extra power than standard bar magnet designs.
Glass Filled PPS Body: The complete assembly is housed in Rega's zero tolerance injection moulded glass filled polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) body which is a lightweight and highly rigid material. A low mass body reduces stress on the tonearm bearings and aids free movement which is critical in accurate vinyl replay. This new body design was inspired by Rega's hugely successful MC range.
Cantilever & Stylus Profile: The Nd7 aluminium cantilever is fitted with a precision perfect fine line nude diamond stylus. This profile provides exceptional tracking accuracy and extracts greater levels of detail from the vinyl surface.
Factory Fitted Options: The Nd7 cartridge will be offered as a factory fitted option on the multi award winning Planar 6 and Planar 8 turntable models. Designed specifically with these turntables in mind, the Nd7 promises to extract the very best from your vinyl collection. The factory fitted packages are offered at a discounted rate compared to when purchased separately, ask your Rega dealer for details.
Nd7 Replacement Stylus: The unique pivot pad design of Rega cartridges improves performance by eliminating the mechanical joint between the stylus housing and the main body. This vastly improves tracking ability and stability of the stylus. It also means that the stylus in the Nd7 is not user replaceable which means you need to return your whole cartridge to Audio Trends and purchase a brand new Rega Nd7 Cartridge at a reduced price. If you don't live near us you are welcome to post us your cartridge and we will send the replacement Nd7 cartridge anywhere in Australia freight free.
Rega Nd7 Review
"Being an Aphelion 2 user I decided to put the Nd7 on my Rega Naia turntable in the first instance, just to see how close Rega's best MM gets to their best MC. Unsurprisingly the answer is not very, I reckon it might give the Ania, the least expensive MC, a run for its money depending on phono stage, but there was a clear drop in performance here. That said the result was very engaging and articulate with good dynamics, it was easy to hear the multiple layers in various recordings as well, it reinforced the fact that the turntable is more important than the cartridge when it comes to extracting coherent detail from a vinyl groove.
I used a vintage Trichord Delphini phono stage in the first instance and this allowed the Nd7 to extract serious low end crunch from the Prodigy's Poison, delivering all the menace and intensity of the track; bass is clearly a strongpoint. This was also apparent alongside impressive dynamics on the track Lone from Bugge Wesseltoft's Moving album, which was very engaging and powerful. Then I dropped the fine line stylus on Prince's One Nite Alone, the result was electrifying, his high vocals low in the mix alongside a solid piano and some OTT bass synth. The latter is always overblown but the voice and keyboard were surprisingly vivid.
Aware that no one is likely to put a £450 cartridge on a £10k turntable I moved the Nd7 over to a Rega RP8 which was around £1,600 when in production. This proved to be a very happy combination, not as transparent as the Naia but very musically entertaining. I started by contrasting the Nd7 with the Nd5 and found that the extra £150 buys a bigger scale of sonic picture with better dynamics and more powerful and well defined bass, it digs down deeper in the mix and pulls out the quieter sounds which coalesce into harmonics and accents. Percussion instruments became clearer thanks to better treble detail and this brings a crispness and refinement to the presentation.
Continuing with the RP8 and a Rega Aria phono stage resulted in a whole raft of different records sounding great, its ability to dig down and define what was going on with all of them making for highly rewarding listening. One particular highlight was Hiatus Kaiyote's latest release Love Heart Cheat Code, this tasty slice of Australian funk includes great vocals and a bass line that is constantly looking for new ways to express the rhythm. It's a dense recording with obvious compression but the Nd7 managed to open it up and draw me in to highly entertaining effect. I also got a thrilling result with a more familiar track in Frank Zappa's Apostrophe, this instrumental piece is pretty grungy and heavily squeezed to ramp up the intensity but the Nd7 allowed Zappa's guitar to reach out and speak to me in a way that is hard to achieve. The shredding is heavily compressed but it was easy to follow what was being played if not possible to turn the musical message into words.
Rega's top moving magnet cartridge is an extremely capable and revealing allrounder. While obviously designed to sit in a Rega tonearm it is likely to compete on other turntables thanks to its impressive detail digging qualities and extended high frequency resolution by MM standards. Given the cost of a decent MC phono stage I would suggest that those looking for next level results with vinyl consider the Nd7 before an MC. It competes with both types at its price point and above, and the high output plus great tracking ability make it a very hard act to beat if you want to really dig deep into your vinyl. If you are looking to buy a Rega P6 or P8 this is the cartridge to go for, it will make your vinyl shine and comes with a discount when bought as a package." The Ear
Our Take on the Rega Nd7
The Rega Nd7 Moving Magnet Cartridge represents over a decade of development, promising to elevate moving magnet technology to new heights. Featuring an ultra-high powered Neodymium (Nd) magnet, a world first for this technology, the Nd7's design is entirely unique. Each cartridge is hand-crafted by Rega's skilled technicians, ensuring meticulous quality. It boasts a perfect fine line nude diamond stylus, shaped through a grinding process using polycrystalline diamond. The innovative generator geometry and miniaturized parallel coils, wound with precision 38-micron wire, provide exceptional channel balance and a wider soundstage. This advanced design results in a low inductance, low impedance generator, enhancing high-frequency response. Encased in a lightweight, rigid glass-filled PPS body inspired by Rega's MC range, the Nd7 minimizes stress on tonearm bearings, crucial for accurate vinyl playback. Committed to sustainability, Rega supplies the Nd range in 100% recyclable packaging.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Handmade Stereo Moving Magnet Cartridge
- Fine Line Nude Diamond Profile Stylus
- Aluminium Cantilever
- Neodymium Magnet
- Unique Generator
- Rega 3 Point Mounting System
- Highly Rigid Lightweight PPS Body
- 100% Recyclable Packaging
- Tracking Pressure: 1.75g
- Nominal Output Voltage: 5-6mV
- Stylus: Fine Line Nude Diamond
- Fixing: 3 Point Fixing
- Coils: Miniaturised Parallel Coils
- Window Colour: Yellow
- Learn more about Rega
Note: Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.