Rega Planar 3 with Nagaoka MP 110

This is a used device. The needle on the MP 110 has been replaced with a new one, and a ground wire has been added.

The combination of the Rega Planar 3 turntable and the Nagaoka MP-110 MM cartridge is a well-conceived choice for music lovers seeking a sophisticated, sonically convincing analog system – without excess, but with room for future expansion and fine-tuning. With the Planar 3, Rega offers a proven platform designed for solid mechanics, minimal resonance, and high everyday usability. The Nagaoka MP-110 complements this with a cartridge construction engineered for refined musicality, powerful bass, and long-term usability.

This combination is particularly suitable for users who already own a phono preamplifier or who plan to build on a solid foundation and potentially upgrade later. The Planar 3 represents a platform that functions reliably thanks to a simple setup while still offering ample potential. The MP-110, on the other hand, offers sound quality that can be considered a benchmark in its price and performance class—especially when accuracy, dynamics, and musicality are paramount.

Design & Concept

The Rega Planar 3 impresses with its clean, minimalist design: a solid, rigid chassis without complicated suspension, a glass-polished turntable, and a newly developed tonearm ensure optimal performance. The Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge relies on classic MM principles, combined with high-quality materials such as a lightweight metal cantilever and an elliptical diamond stylus tip – a skillful combination of simplicity and precision.

Particularly noteworthy is Rega's philosophy that a lightweight, rigid construction with low ambient noise can produce more efficient sound than heavy, heavily damped designs. The MP-110 continues this philosophy in the cartridge area, enabling direct and musical reproduction with low weight and high output voltage.

Sound and use

In practice, this combination delivers a sound with clear characteristics: vocals and instruments are present, tonally balanced, and with good spatial depth. The bass range is powerful and precise – not exaggerated, but with substance. The highs and mids offer good openness without harshness. Musicality, in other words, the ability to "engage" in musical experiences – be it jazz, classical, or rock – is a key strength of this combination.

Compared to entry-level turntables with simpler tonearms or cartridges, the Planar 3 with MP-110 stands out with its lower background noise, better channel separation, and greater control over modulation. Those who value straightforward setup and reliable performance will find a system with a solid foundation and expandability.

Technical specifications – Rega Planar 3

• Device type: Belt-drive turntable, two speeds (33 ? / 45 rpm)
• Motor: 24 V AC synchronous motor, low noise
• Turntable: Glass polishing plate (thickness approx. 12 mm)
• Tonearm: Rega RB330 (revised version)
• Chassis/Plinth: Lightweight construction with rigid struts
• Dimensions (width × height × depth): approx. 447 × 117 × 360 mm
• Weight: approx. 6 kg
• Connection: RCA output (“Phono”)
• Speed switching: manual by belt conversion
• Colors/Finish: including high-gloss black and other variants

Technical specifications – Nagaoka MP-110

• System type: Moving Magnet (MM)
• Output voltage: 5.0 mV (at 1 kHz, 5 cm/s)
• Frequency response: approx. 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Weight: approx. 6.5 g
• Recommended tracking force: approx. 1.5 – 2.0 g
• Load impedance: 47 kO
• Channel separation: > 23 dB (1 kHz)
• Channel balance: = 1.5 dB (1 kHz)
• Stylus tip: Elliptical bonded diamond, 0.4 × 0.7 mil

Notes on used equipment

Accessories

J