Introducing the all-new Rega Nd3 Cartridge - A work of art at Audio T Bristol

/ Audio T Bristol/

The Bristol Museum has recently been exhibiting John Constable's iconic landscape, “The Hay Wain”, on loan from The National Gallery. So, I went along to see it and was truly blown away on so many levels…

Firstly, the sheer size of the painting, at an impressive 1.3m x 2m. The detail, the powerful light and shadow play. The etching of fine edges of colour creating line and form and textures, and those clouds… Oh that sky!

Up until that moment, all the images I've seen of “The Hay Wain” were digital or in print and the writings & art review TV shows gushing about it's importance didn't prepare me for the real thing.

This got me thinking… “Do I need an art degree and be an accomplished oil painter to appreciate and be moved by the Constable’s famous works?” No. And in many ways, the same goes for Hi-Fi.

What’s that famous quote from Fred. R Bernard? “One look is worth a thousand words”. Well, let me flip this and make something more relevant to our little world of Hi-Fi...

"Hearing something a thousand times isn't the same as listening"

Justin - Audio T Bristol (2024)

I would go even further on this point and say that it is not enough to just listen - you have to experience, emotionally feel and sometimes be open enough to be overwhelmed and amazed. It is a journey. Your appreciation for music and how and what moves you evolves, as does what you strive to attain from your Hi-Fi evolves…

Introducing the Rega Nd3

Now, whilst we’re discussing artwork… Let’s talk about the all new Nd3 moving magnet cartridge from Hi-Fi industry titans, Rega. They claim it is a culmination of 10 years of development, but how does it stack up?

The new Rega Nd3 truly delivers a new performance level in Moving Magnet technology. The stylus profile is a high quality elliptical diamond, which is bonded to a round titanium shank. The design uses a brand new generator geometry with perfect symmetry to achieve accurate channel balance.

The Nd3 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. Each Nd3 is meticulously hand-made by Rega’s highly skilled technicians.

With the Nd5 and Nd7 making up the range that replaces the Elys2 and Exact cartridges that debuted over 20 years ago! The Nd3 can be seen as the first step up from the entry level stock Rega Carbon, (essentially a Audio Technica ATN3600L). and occupies the spot where the Rega Bias (circa 1987) used to be, but is so much more.

Testing and listening

Naturally, this review required a little tinkering and setting up cartridges. Comparing the Rega Planar 2 performance with either the Nd3 or Carbon is easy enough. Without a doubt, the Nd3 blows it out of the water, as you would expect. But, how will the Nd3 stack up against the outgoing Elys2 or Exact?

System:

Records:

  • 9 Airs by Leif

  • Mezzaine by Massive Attack

  • When Jah Shall Come by Various Artists on Pressure Records

  • Night Train by Ocar Peterson Trio.

Method

First using only the MM Phono Stage on the Rega Elicit Mk5, I compared the Nd3 to the Carbon, Elys2 and Exact. Then switched to the MM input on the Rega Aria Phono Stage to compare Exact and Nd3. Then plumbed in the Linn LP12 Selekt with Krystal Cartridge on the MC side of the Rega Aria.

Three cartridges later I can report that the Nd3 is a masterpiece. Dynamics, pace and space are a plenty, with width and depth enormously improved - as Rega attested. Even when compared with the Exact, the Nd3 outperforms on all aspects. Better detail, more resolution, less surface noise, wider soundstage, better instrument placement. Thankfully, the Rega sound is still there with drive and gusto.

Moving to the external Rega Aria phono stage was a large leap in performance, pushing the noise level lower, with a cleaner, sharper sound and more dynamics. This is the shape of things to come from Rega’s Moving Magnet cartridges, so the Nd5 and Nd7 are going to be a real challenge to all.

Pricing wise, in a world of ever increasing prices, Rega have held the Nd3 at £175* the same price as the outgoing Elys2. While the Nd5 at £295* is the same as the outgoing Exact and the Nd7 at £450* occupying a £100 cheaper price point than Rega’s entry level Ania Moving Coil at £550.

Turning to referencing the Rega Planar 2 with Nd3 performance against a turntable at 20 times the price in the shape of the Linn LP12 Selekt with MC Krystal cart is a little extreme, especially with all the other components kept the same - highly unrealistic. But, benchmarking like this is the only way to hear the old adage of “Source is first”. Of course the Linn was in another league - the separation on Night Train by Oscar Peterson Trio, was mesmerising. Just like seeing an original painting, those shades, shadows and feeling of light are incredibly clear. The conveying of emotion in Liz Fraser’s vocals on Teardrop is spell binding. The importance of using this deck as a reference is that the Rega Planar 2 did not feel or sound poor, shoddy or broken in comparison. It is a lesser deck, but not for the money, with no lack in drive and sheer musical enjoyment.

We constantly read from reviewers about “Impactful” Bass, “musical” presentation or “dynamic” tone - But that does very little to describe the experience. Like saying a car is fast or a design is minimalist - these terms are journalistic filler that do not help the reader to make a decision. And how do stars and marks out of 10 help anyone?

Your decision, as the Hi-Fi consumer needs to be informed, communicated and understood as - the sound YOU prefer and best conveys the “flavour“ of musical intent that you enjoy - not what a reviewer, Hi-Fi mag or even a Hi-Fi shop tells you is a good sound. And, with that, book an audition with us for the new Nd3 for yourself.

Thank you for reading,

Justin, James & Max - Audio T Bristol

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*All prices, credit terms and interest rates quoted are correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. E&OE