Rega Exact 2 Cartridge Exchange (Factory Renewed)

Cartridges wear out. Sometimes it's years of clean play and a worn stylus. Sometimes it's the cat that finally jumped on the turntable. Sometimes it's the toddler who walked over to see what that round thing is. Either way, it happens. The Exact 2 is discontinued, but Rega still rebuilds them at the factory. Send us your worn Exact 2 and you'll get a factory-renewed cartridge back, fitted with a fresh generator and stylus and two-day tested against the original Exact 2 spec. $100 off the original $675 retail price, the same performance you remember, and your cartridge stays in service instead of becoming another search for a NOS replacement.

How it works

1. Buy this exchange. Pick your packaging option above.
2. Mail your old Exact 2 to our Chestertown showroom (or drop it off in person).
3. In around a week your factory-renewed Exact 2 will ship to you.

Two ways to handle the packaging

I'll provide my own packaging. Package the cartridge well, use the original box if you still have it, then ship it to our Chestertown showroom.

Listening Room Packaging at $19.95. We will ship you a box with a prepaid return label inside. Open it, follow the instructions for safely packaging your cartridge, then drop the box at any USPS location.

Rega rebuild versus a third-party retip

A retip swaps the stylus tip alone, often with a non-original component, by an aftermarket shop. A Rega rebuild is different. Your cartridge goes back to Rega's factory team, who replace the generator and the stylus with original Rega parts to the original Exact 2 spec. The renewed cartridge is tested for two full days before it ships, and it measures and sounds the same as a new Exact 2. The retip is a stylus-level repair. The rebuild is a factory-spec restoration.

Inside the Rega factory

The video below covers Rega's general factory operations, not the cartridge rebuild line specifically, but it gives you a feel for how the company runs and what kind of attention to detail goes into the gear they build.

What we accept as a trade-in

Any functional or worn Rega Exact 2, including normal wear and a bent cantilever. Cosmetic damage is fine. The factory rebuild crew can work with most worn or damaged units. What they cannot accept is a missing generator or a body too damaged to reuse. If you are unsure, contact us first.

See our Cartridge Exchange Terms and Shipping Policy for full details on lead-time estimates and trade-in eligibility.

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 exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. 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.