The Naia is the very best turntable Rega is aware of learn how to make. Its roots return to 2009 when the corporate launched into a analysis and growth mission that aimed to push its core engineering beliefs of low mass and excessive rigidity to the boundaries. No compromise was allowed, as this was a cost-no-object train that was by no means supposed to be placed on sale. That meant it may very well be designed purely for optimum efficiency utilizing probably the most unique supplies and no regard to the way it might truly be put into manufacturing. The end result was the legendary Naiad turntable. However there was an issue; folks wished to purchase it.
At first, Rega resisted the thought, however such was the curiosity that it was compelled to place the Naiad right into a restricted manufacturing run of fifty items. These have been handmade and so awkward to construct that solely three folks within the manufacturing unit have been thought-about expert sufficient to do it, together with the CEO Phil Freeman, a watchmaker by commerce. The Naiad’s value? Yours for round £30,000.
Rega considers the Naia the production-ready model of the Naiad. The unique plan was to design a deck that bridged the efficiency hole between the Naiad and the present Rega Planar 10 turntable, however that modified when the corporate discovered the brand new design may very well be developed to match the range-topper’s efficiency.
Construct & Design
After reviewing the Planar 8 and Planar 10 turntables, we’re aware of Rega’s distinctive skeletal plinths, however this design nonetheless appears to be like outlandish. It’s surprisingly small and light-weight, and within the case of the brand new Naia incorporates a Tancast 8 foam core sandwiched on both aspect by Graphene-impregnated carbon fibre. The froth reduces the transmission of vibrations whereas the carbon fibre skins assist rigidity. The realm between the arm base and principal bearing is additional strengthened by means of ceramic braces, forming a burdened beam meeting that avoids power absorption with out growing mass an excessive amount of. Rega firmly believes that ‘mass absorbs power and misplaced power equals misplaced music’.
The Naia’s principal bearing meeting is particular. Each the central bearing and the spindle are comprised of a composite ceramic materials referred to as ZTA (Zirconium Toughened Alumina), which is thought for its hardness and resistance to abrasive put on, making it perfect for this job. Rega claims this to be probably the most correct and long-lasting principal bearing meeting it has ever produced. The spindle sits in the course of a fantastically machined aluminium sub-platter, which is one thing of a murals. It’s a disgrace this half is hidden as soon as the ceramic principal platter is in place.
Rega Naia/Aphelion 2 tech specs
Kind Belt drive
Operation Guide
Speeds 33⅓, 45 RPM
Pace change Digital
Cartridge Aphelion 2 transferring coil
Phono stage? No
Bluetooth? No
USB? No
Dimensions (hwd, with mud cowl) 12.5 x 42 x 35cm
Weight 4.65kg
Finishes x 1 (black)
Rega has used ceramic platters for years now, valuing their rigidity. That is additionally one of many few elements the place the model’s engineers favor so as to add mass. The Naia’s platter is formed on the underside so that the majority of its mass is concentrated across the perimeter to assist the flywheel impact and enhance pace stability. A trio of round-sectioned belts join the deck’s 24V motor and sub-platter. Rega spent three years researching and growing rubber compounds for its belts and has achieved a degree of consistency and accuracy that it’s pleased with. Why three belts? The two.6kg weight of the Naia’s ceramic platter requires these for a fast start-up and any microscopic variations between the three belts are levelled out, serving to pace stability.
The Naia’s motor is a 24V low-noise design managed by an outboard energy provide. This energy unit is housed in a functional-looking half-width field and presents digital switching between 33⅓ and 45RPM. The provision’s inside circuitry makes use of DSP and a high-stability crystal to make sure that the motor will get a clear and exact energy feed with every unit particularly adjusted for its partnering motor throughout the manufacturing course of to minimise vibrations.
Rega makes massive claims for the Naia’s RB Titanium tonearm. Its form could also be completely acquainted however, because the identify makes clear, it now makes intensive use of titanium moderately than aluminium. The change of fabric and redesigned bearing meeting have resulted in a lighter and stiffer design. We love the shiny end, however it’s the precision and low friction motion of the bearings that impress probably the most.
It’s attainable to purchase the Naia with out the factory-fitted Aphelion 2 transferring coil cartridge for £9999 / $12,995 / AU$19,999, however the two go so nicely collectively that we’d be tempted to purchase the whole package deal. The Aphelion 2 sits on prime of the Rega cartridge tree. It has a graded black anodised aluminium physique and a boron cantilever with a fine-line ‘nude’ stylus. We’ve lengthy been followers of the corporate’s three-point mounting association that ensures that its personal cartridges are completely aligned within the headshell. It’s such a fuss-free association we want extra corporations would comply with go well with. Rega thoughtfully provides a torque wrench to make sure the cartridge isn’t over-tightened into the headshell, so avoiding any injury.
The Aphelion 2 tracks nicely on the advisable 1.9g downforce and has no points working into our reference Cyrus Phono Signature phono stage. We’ve little question that Rega’s high-end Aura MC phono stage would ship even higher outcomes.
Sound
As we begin the testing course of, only for enjoyable we place the Aphelion 2’s stylus on the file however don’t begin the motor. We flip up the amount degree on our amplifier and (very) calmly faucet the help and a part of the plinth simply to listen to what sort of resonances the deck generates. It seems that the Naia’s inflexible but gentle building means it’s wonderful at coping with low-level exterior vibrations. We hear a fast thud that shortly dissipates. Attempting the identical factor with our reference Technics SL-1000R (a excessive mass, closely damped, direct drive design) is eye-opening with that preliminary thud louder and lingering for longer. It’s accompanied by a shocking quantity of higher-pitched ringing from the deck’s construction. Hardly probably the most scientific of experiments admittedly, nevertheless it strongly means that Rega’s gentle and inflexible strategy has loads of benefit. Even so, as with all file participant, if you wish to get probably the most from this deck, place it on a inflexible, low resonance help that is positioned nicely away out of your audio system.
A supply at this degree calls for top-class partnering gear. Together with the aforementioned Cyrus phono stage, we now have a transferring coil-equipped Burmester 088/911 MkII pre/energy mixture driving both ATC’s SCM 50 or Wilson Benesch’s A.C.T. 3Zero floorstanders. The system’s cables are a combination of premium choices from Chord Cables and Vertere Acoustics.
We’ve had loads of expertise with Rega’s turntables and as we transfer up the worth factors from the entry-level Planar 1 by the Planar 3 and ending with the Planar 10, it’s clear that every step up the vary has a much less apparent sonic character. They change into extra clear and put much less of an imprint on the recording. This course of reaches its apparent conclusion with the Naia, which is basically the purest illustration of the corporate’s engineering philosophy to this point.
These anticipating sonic fireworks from the Naia/Alphelion 2 are in for a disappointment. Whereas the primary few rungs on the Rega ladder excel at sounding extra entertaining and thrilling than a lot of the competitors, this range-topper isn’t that type of product. It prefers to step quietly into the background leaving the recording to take the highlight. The Rega sounds clear and crisp, delivering class-leading ranges of data with out ever edging into sterility.
That is very a lot an skilled music-making machine. It has us gripped no matter whether or not we take heed to one thing grand like Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony or the extra intimate music of The Carpenters. On orchestral works, it renders an expansive soundstage that shows a powerful diploma of depth and focus. There’s loads of air round devices and an exquisite lack of muddle within the presentation, regardless of how complicated the music will get. The Rega sounds as composed and managed as they arrive but retains the fluidity that many extremely resolving rivals lack.
There’s loads of scale to the sound too, and for all its agility and articulation there’s a good dose of authority when the music calls for. Typically when a element sounds quick and responsive it’s as a result of it lacks low-end weight and energy. That isn’t the case right here, as a comparability with our Technics SL-1000R/Kiseki Purpleheart MC proves. Superficially, the Technics sounds extra muscular, nevertheless it doesn’t take lengthy to determine that the Rega is considerably higher with low-frequency transients, delivering them with larger heft and energy whereas additionally revealing that the Technics has a barely sludgy high quality compared. Elsewhere, we love the pure method this Rega participant renders instrumental textures and may convey low-level dynamic shifts with such conviction. It sounds genuine and sincere.
The Carpenter’s Greatest Of assortment proves that the Naia can shift down a gear effortlessly, delivering Karen Carpenter’s pristine vocals with appreciable talent. There’s delicacy right here and an actual sense of drive when wanted. Tonally, issues are as at the same time as you want in our set-up, with the Aphelion 2 sounding balanced and ever so detailed.
Complaints? The Naia is an distinctive performer in most methods however its in any other case admirably off-hand strategy to music-making did depart us wanting extra in the best way of rhythmic drive. As we take heed to Michael Jackson’s Clean Prison, we’re deeply impressed by the Rega’s capability to organise the dense instrumentation right into a splendidly cohesive and musical expertise, but nonetheless discover ourselves questioning whether or not it ought to make extra of the music’s hard-charging momentum. Don’t get us improper, this package deal is definitely surefooted and assured when delivering rhythm tracks, however in comparison with a rival like Vertere Acoustics MG-1 MkII/Mystic it does sound a bit well mannered and subdued compared.
Verdict
Even so, there isn’t any denying that the Rega Naia is a powerful achievement. It’s as insightful and natural-sounding a file participant as we’ve heard and manages that by actually bold single-minded engineering. It’s clearly among the finest high-end file gamers obtainable at this degree and a must-listen for anybody interested by realizing simply how good vinyl can sound.
SCORES
MORE:
Learn our evaluate of the Vertere Acoustics MG-1 MkII/Mystic
Additionally contemplate the SME Synergy
Learn our Technics SL-1000R evaluate
Examine our the greatest file gamers for each funds
