CES 2014

Rega Launches Top of the Line RP10 Turntable (Corrected)

Michael Fremer  |  Jan 9, 2014

Rega and importer The Sound Organization launched the new Rega RP10 turntable. It features the same exoskeletal design as the RP8 but adds an all-new ceramic platter and a newly machined, low tolerance aluminum hub. The new 'table also features the handsome new RB2000 tonearm and a MU shielded 24V twin phase motor with ball bearing spindle mount.

COMMENTS
kimi imacman's picture
Submitted by kimi imacman on Thu, 2014-01-09 12:00

Sorry Michael but the RP8 also has the solid hub, it's the RP6 that has the topper. 

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Fri, 2014-01-10 18:20

As I wrote in my RP8 review, which was fact-checked by Rega: 

While the hub appears identical to the P9’s machined aluminum one, it is not. As in the RP6, Rega culls from its production of molded plastic hubs, low tolerance samples, which are then fitted with an aluminum adapter cap. The solid aluminum ones are reserved for the new top of the new RP10.

kimi imacman's picture
Submitted by kimi imacman on Mon, 2014-01-13 12:18

As you wrote in your review: "The new 'table features improved bearings, tighter tolerances compared to the P7 and RP6 and a machined sub-platter."

and on their site: "The Rega RP8 skeletal turntable.

Rega is extremely pleased to announce the launch of the much awaited RP8 turntable. A turntable which takes Rega’s design philosophy further than ever before. A radical new plinth using custom designed materials, a new tonearm bearing assembly, 24v low volt-age motor controlled by a hand tuned electronic power supply and a custom version of our Planar 9 engineered hub bearing assembly. These are just some of the features of this amazing new turntable designed to extract more music from your vinyl than ever before."

And some photos of the RP6 and RP8 hubs and bearings:

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/rp8-hub-and-bearing

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/rp6-hub-and-bearing

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/rp6-bearing-underside

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/rp8-bearing-underside

The RP10 does indeed have a similar hub to the RP8 but with a larger hole the size of a 45rpm singles adaptor rather than the usual spindle size.

Of course the one deck missing from this year's CES is the Daddy of them all, the Naiad. You can read about it here, nuff said.

http://www.avguide.com/blog/meet-your-maker-hi-fi-visits-rega-research?page=4

Roy Gandy has the only one (production starts later this year, made to order) over in the far east at present.

I'm proud that I will be the first dealer in the UK to have one to play with ( and take home to pair up with my Rega Reference system) and for a customer demo. FYI rumour has that the carbon fibre plinth is fabricated by an undisclosed Formula One team, suely the ultimate source for this material!

I hope you've enjoyed the rest of the show.

Regards

K

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Mon, 2014-01-13 13:09

I went by what Phil Freeman told me... my job description requires me to confirm this with him. I am sure you understand. I know of the other model but of course it wasn't at CES....

kimi imacman's picture
Submitted by kimi imacman on Mon, 2014-01-13 14:52

No worries Mikey. Embarrassing to all if the US gets a lower spec. only kidding. Do say hello to Phil from me, his dealer in Reading UK.

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Tue, 2014-01-14 17:03

I went with what I was told but what I was told was incorrect. My bad. You are correct.

Brother John's picture
Submitted by Brother John on Mon, 2014-01-13 19:12

Does Gandy use the same cheap thin headshell wire contacts that he uses on the RP8?

coaster92's picture
Submitted by coaster92 on Fri, 2014-03-07 06:36

A key difference from the 6 to the 8 is there is no ball bearing down in the well like there always has been - the 8 and I"m sure the 10 too has the ball bearing  integral with subplatter shaft- it's all one piece- unwanted movement or "play" is reduced on the 8 and 10 because of this. Both 8 and 10 use twin belt drive. The 10 has better arm, motor (also said to be shielded) and better power supply among other things. I dont know if the clips are different- nothing wrong with the 8 clips for me- but they do seem to be paying more attention to wire these days. The 8 uses the same lead wire/plugs as its "couple 2" interconnect. Probably same for 10 also.

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