REGA Apheta 3 MC Cartridge
APHETA 3
Moving Coil Cartridges
A unique design
Apheta 3 features a super high-powered, neodymium magnet and a coil meticulously hand wound on an iron cross that is fifty percent smaller than the MK1 model. This weight reduction allows us greater freedom to track the vinyl groove. The Apheta 3 is housed within a completely redesigned, single piece, aluminium anodised body and protected by a CAD designed, smoked rigid cover to protect the internal fine wires, making handling whilst fitting, safe and risk free. The Apheta 3 is the perfect partner for the latest Planar 8 and Planar 10 turntables. The Apheta 3 can be supplied factory fitted at a discounted package rate. Please ask your retailer for details.
KEY FEATURES
- Fine line profile nude diamond stylus
- Iron micro cross assembly
- Ultra high powered custom Neodymium magnet
- High specification wire
- Aluminium CNC machined one piece body
- Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects
Rega’s Moving Coil cartridge design is unique in its approach to achieving an ultra-low mass generator which is undamped (no tie wire) using a unique rhomboid pivot for the cantilever powered by a purpose designed, exclusive to Rega, Neodymium magnet system. This type of design requires a zero-tolerance engineered cartridge body which is Rega’s area of expertise and with the Apheta 3 these bodies are machined from one piece of the highest quality aluminium. This is a difficult and expensive process requiring all of Rega’s years of experience to achieve. In particular, the “zero” tolerancing of the body is required in the alignment and dimension of the pivot pad mounting hole and the magnet mechanism mounting hole relationship.
Conventional MC cartridges utilize a steel suspension system (tie wire) which creates a high amplitude H.F. resonance (normally around 8-12 kHz). Such resonance is unacceptable and is usually damped by a rudimentary piece of foam rubber. However, the foam rubber deteriorates with age and cannot prevent the complete structure from vibrating and “ringing”. The specifics and adjustment of the tie wire and damping determine whether the cartridge is under damped (bright) or over damped (warm and bass heavy). A happy medium is rarely achieved. This encouraged Rega to pursue a new direction inspired by modern materials and the basic laws of magnetism. The Apheta 3 contains neither a tie wire nor a foam damper. Moving coil aficionados will all recognise the long search for super clear, high frequency combined with firm, tight bass, characteristics all Rega moving coils exhibit.
REVIEW & AWARDS
Rega Planar 10 / Apheta 3 review - Read More
"Rega’s mainstream range-topper is an exceptional performer that packs clever engineering and fine build into a visually striking design" - What Hi-Fi?
SPECIFICATIONS
Input Load Impedance | 100 Ω |
Output Impedance | 10 Ω |
Nominal output voltage | 350 μV |
Channel Balance | ≥ 20 μV |
Channel Balance | ≥ -29 dB |
Tracking pressure | 1.9 - 2.0 g |
Mass | 6 g |
LOAD SETTINGS FOR ADJUSTABLE MC STAGES |
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Impedance | 100 Ω |
Capacitance | 1000 pF |
Gain Setting | High (‘On’ position for Rega phono stages) |