Rega Planar 78 Mono Turntable

The Rega Planar 78 is a purpose-built, single-speed turntable designed with one mission: to extract the maximum musical performance from your cherished collection of 78 rpm records. Eschewing the compromises of multi-speed decks, every aspect of the Planar 78—from its high-torque motor to its hand-assembled tonearm—is optimized for the specific demands of shellac playback. With its minimalist design, premium components, and elegant matte finish, the Planar 78 offers serious collectors a dedicated, high-fidelity solution that breathes new life and unexpected clarity into vintage recordings.

Key Features:

• Dedicated 78 RPM Playback: A single-speed design optimized solely for 78 rpm records, ensuring absolute speed stability and focus without the mechanical compromises of 33/45 switching.
• RB220 Precision Tonearm: Features Rega’s best-selling hand-assembled tonearm with ultra-low friction bearings and a stiff, lightweight aluminum tube for accurate tracking of vintage grooves.
• 24V Low Noise Motor: Utilizes a high-quality, low-vibration 24V synchronous motor to provide the consistent, high-torque drive required for heavy 78 rpm records.
• Flywheel Effect Platter: A heavy phenolic resin platter creates a flywheel effect, enhancing speed consistency and rotational stability essential for dynamic playback.
• Advanced EBLT Drive Belt: Fitted as standard, this precision-molded belt delivers superior consistency and reduced wow and flutter for pitch-perfect performance.
• Minimalist High-Performance Design: Strips away unnecessary gimmicks to concentrate manufacturing cost on high-quality components that directly improve sound quality.

Designed for the 78 RPM Purist

Unlike standard turntables that treat 78 rpm as an afterthought, the Planar 78 is engineered from the ground up for this format. By removing the complex gearing and switching mechanisms required for multiple speeds, Rega has created a motor and drive system that is entirely focused on maintaining a rock-steady 78 rpm. This dedication results in a playback experience that is surprisingly quiet, dynamic, and rhythmically engaging, revealing that there is far more music in those old grooves than you ever imagined.

Precision Tracking with the RB220

The Planar 78 is equipped with the renowned RB220 tonearm. This precision instrument features Rega's custom-designed ultra-low friction bearings and a stiff, resonance-free die-cast aluminum tube. The arm's lightweight yet rigid construction allows it to track the wider, more energetic grooves of 78s with ease, retrieving detail and nuance while minimizing surface noise. It provides the perfect platform for a dedicated mono cartridge.

Stability and Drive

Spinning a record at 78 revolutions per minute requires significant energy and stability. The Planar 78 uses a high-mass phenolic resin platter that acts as a flywheel, smoothing out speed fluctuations and ensuring pitch accuracy. This is driven by a low-noise 24V motor via Rega's advanced EBLT drive belt, a combination that delivers the torque and consistency needed to make vintage jazz, blues, and classical recordings sound punchy and alive.

A Modern Classic

Finished in a sleek, matte black that matches the current Rega range, the Planar 78 looks as good as it sounds. It includes a clear, hinged dust cover to protect your investment. While it is designed to be plug-and-play, it is highly recommended to pair it with Rega’s dedicated RB78 mono cartridge (sold separately), which features the correct stylus profile for 78 rpm records, ensuring optimal performance and protecting your valuable collection.

The Listening Room Difference

We’re a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on trust, not hype. Whether you’re visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don’t just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.

Specifications