Rega have a long history of improvement and development. Never a company to fit around fads or fashion, their products cut their own groove when it comes to product development. In the 1980's they redefined the performance levels offered by an affordable turntable; the classic Planar 2 and Planar 3 models both introduced revolutionary arm technology, with unheard of arm rigidity for the price. The RB250, and its more refined brother the RB300, became the stuff of legends.

Over the last generation, Rega have hugely improved on these two landmark products, the introduction of the absolute reference 'NAIAD' turntable showed what Rega could do with a virtually unlimited budget, and further advanced Rega's knowledge and understanding of turntable design. Rega now offers a well-thought-out and carefully orchestrated range of turntables ranging from the introductory P1 through to the reference NAIAD. But still, a commonality runs through their ultra-low mass and high rigidity designs, even in the entry model P1, making them instantly recognisable as a Rega deck in both sound and style.

The P6 sits quite squarely as the 'mid-range' deck in the Rega range. The deck's plinth borrows technology from the High-End P10 model, with its use of its aerospace technology incorporated in the ultra-low mass foam core and HPL laminated plinth. The plinth is fully braced top and bottom with a pair of alluminium braces, linking the base of the arm to the precision main bearing housing. As standard the deck comes with Rega's NEO MkII electronic turntable power supply, which, as well as providing a convenient method of speed change, enhances the AC drive signal for the decks motor, providing an improvement in noise and speed stability. The result is a much clearer and defined sound. The 24V hand-tuned motor is coupled to the single-piece, precision-machined sub-platter via a reference EBLT belt. The main platter uses a substantial double-float layered traditional Rega glass-type design. This gives an increased fly-wheel effect, giving greater speed and pitch stability.

The CIRCLE of chrome, completes chromey.

The arm fitted is shared with the next model up in the range, the P8, the arm being the RB880. Technology in metal casting has been hugely improved from the days when the RB300 was state-of-the-art. The '880 features a thinner die casting, to reduce arm mass, and features a tapered arm tube, to reduce arm resonance and substantially increase strength. The RB880 also features exceptionally strong and low friction bearings, counterbalanced with a stainless steel counterweight. This all helps to capture all of the smallest of vibrations from the record, providing the most stable of structures for the cartridge to resolve every exact detail. The standard cartridge supplied is the well known three bolt mounting moving magnet the 'Exact' - with the option of a factory fitted Ania or Ania Pro moving coil.

All of this technology enables the Rega P6 to outperform rival decks at double the cost. A refined and detailed performer, offering a level of audiophile quality normally unheard of at this price point. Taking a classic album track such as Fleetwood Mac and 'The Chain', the improvement in bass definition, and the ability to clearly hear the precise changing of the notes is something that lesser decks leave muddy and fuddy. Vocals open out and the singers fill the room, sounding less like they are being reproduced via a pair of loudspeakers, but simply more real. The high quality arm bearings give the deck freedom and power in the bass & treble registers, when the drums kick in, you really feel it!

Rega has correctly always put performance as paramount over aesthetics. For the last few years, the latest P6 came from the factory in a finish described as 'polaris grey', fitted complete with a smoked lid, plus a frosted edge to the double float glass platter. As you can see from our pictures, the latest revision features an all white plinth, the grey polaris does remain, an all clear polished edge to the platter, plus an all clear lid complements this lovely new light white look, giving the deck an air of design and lightness of touch.

Thanks for reading,

Haden, Munir, James, & David - Audio T Manchester

If you’ve enjoyed this, why not go ahead and read some more of our other blogs, and be sure to follow us on our social media channels below…