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Start with the Neo PSU MK2: with playback stopped and the amplifier at a low, safe volume, move the power-supply unit as far from the turntable as its cable allows. Rega identifies this placement as its first measure for reducing hum picked up by the cartridge. Then check the phono connections, cartridge/input matching and, only if the problem occurs during tracking, the stylus force and bias. Do not open the PSU or add an improvised ground wire; persistent noise should be isolated by a Rega dealer or distributor.
What the noise tells you
A steady low-frequency buzz or hum that changes when equipment is moved is usually an electrical pickup problem somewhere between the cartridge, tonearm leads, phono stage and power wiring. A rough, fuzzy or crackling sound that appears only when the stylus is playing a record points more toward tracking, record condition or cartridge alignment. Those symptoms can overlap, so test with the stylus lifted and playback stopped before changing settings.
The Planar 6 RS Edition is supplied with a Neo PSU MK2 and an external phono connection. Rega’s English Planar 6 RS manual says the PSU should be positioned away from the turntable to minimise the risk of hum picked up by the cartridge. That is a placement recommendation, not a claim that every hum is caused by a failed motor, cartridge or ground connection.
There is no published decibel figure or guaranteed reduction for moving the PSU. Treat the change as a diagnostic test: if the noise falls when the PSU is moved, leave it in the quieter position; if it does not, continue through the connection and compatibility checks below.
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Before you test: establish a quiet, repeatable baseline
Use the same amplifier input and volume for each comparison. Stop the platter, lift the stylus clear of the record and turn the amplifier down before touching a plug or moving the Neo PSU. A low listening level protects the loudspeakers and makes it easier to identify whether the noise changes, rather than simply becoming louder with the volume control.
Write down whether the sound is present in both channels, whether it is present with the stylus lifted, and whether it changes when the PSU is moved. Then alter one thing at a time. If you move the PSU and reseat both phono leads simultaneously, you will not know which action helped. Return to the original position after each test when you need a direct comparison.
Use a clean, familiar record only after the stylus-up test. A noisy pressing, contamination on the stylus or damage to one groove can imitate a turntable fault. The most useful distinction is simple: hum that remains with the stylus lifted belongs to the electrical signal path; distortion that begins only in a groove needs a tracking or record check.
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- Stop the record and lift the stylus. Turn the amplifier or receiver down to a low listening level so you can hear a change without stressing the speakers.
- Leave the turntable in its normal playing position. Move the Neo PSU MK2 as far away from the deck as the supplied cable permits.
- Keep the cable relaxed. Do not pull it tight, sharply bend it, or place the PSU where the cable or ventilation is compromised.
- Listen again with the same input selected and the same volume. Compare the sound with the stylus lifted and, if necessary, with a record playing.
Rega’s exact wording is: “To minimise the risk of hum picked up by the cartridge, we recommend the Neo PSU MK2 should be situated as far from the turntable as the cable will allow.” The instruction appears in the Planar 6 RS User Manual, in the setup and connections material. The manual does not quantify the effect, so do not expect a particular number of decibels or assume that a small change must cure every installation.
Also separate the PSU from bundles of mains adapters, power strips and high-current equipment where practical. This is sensible cable management during the test, but the model-specific instruction that Rega documents is simply to place the Neo PSU as far from the turntable as the cable allows.
2. Verify the phono leads and input
The tonearm’s external phono leads must connect to a suitable phono stage. Check both ends of each lead and make sure every plug is fully inserted; a partly engaged plug can create a loud channel imbalance, buzz or intermittent noise.
- Red plug: right channel.
- Black plug: left channel.
- Phono stage input: select the input type that matches the cartridge installed in your RS Edition.
After reseating the plugs, select the correct input on the amplifier or phono stage and listen with the stylus lifted. If the hum is present in only one channel, inspect that channel’s plug and socket first. If the hum remains in both channels, continue with PSU placement and the cartridge/input check rather than repeatedly swapping cables.
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A line-level auxiliary input is not a substitute for a phono stage. The cartridge produces a very small signal that requires phono gain and equalisation. If your amplifier has a built-in phono input, confirm whether it accepts moving-magnet (MM) or moving-coil (MC) cartridges before connecting the deck.
Do not force a connector or use an adapter simply because it fits physically. The useful check is that the left and right signal paths are correctly identified and that the phono stage is designed for the cartridge type. If a lead feels loose, intermittent or damaged, note that fact for the dealer rather than bending the connector or opening the turntable.
3. Match the phono stage to the installed cartridge
Rega lists the Nd9 as the standard moving-magnet configuration for the Planar 6 RS Edition. The product information also lists an Ania moving-coil configuration and an Ania plus Fono MC bundle. Match the phono stage to the cartridge actually fitted, not to the model name alone:
| Installed cartridge | Signal type | Required phono setting | What this check establishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nd9 | MM | MM input or a suitable MM phono stage | Electrical compatibility and correct gain/equalisation |
| Ania | MC | MC input or a suitable MC phono stage | Electrical compatibility and correct gain/equalisation |
Using the wrong input can produce excessive hiss, overload, very low output or an abnormal tonal balance. It is not evidence that buying a different phono stage will remove ordinary cartridge pickup hum: the official information establishes compatibility requirements, not a measured noise-reduction benefit. If you are unsure which cartridge is installed, check the purchase documentation or ask a Rega dealer before changing gain or loading settings.
Do not choose an MM or MC setting by the noise alone. A low output or harsh presentation may be an input mismatch, while a constant hum with the stylus raised may remain even after the correct mode is selected. Confirm the physical cartridge first, then select the matching input and repeat the stylus-up listening test.
The current product details are on Rega’s Planar 6 RS Edition page, which includes a July 2026 update. Configuration and bundle availability can vary by market, so use the cartridge physically fitted to your turntable as the deciding fact.
4. Distinguish hum from mistracking and distortion
Electrical hum is normally audible with the stylus lifted, because it enters the signal chain without a record groove being played. Mistracking is tied to the stylus following a groove and may sound like fuzz on peaks, splashy cymbals, harsh vocals or repeated distortion in one passage. A dirty or damaged record can create similar symptoms.
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For the standard Nd9 setup, Rega specifies a tracking force of 1.75 g. The manual says to set the bias slider to the same number as the tracking-force control. Use these settings only when the complaint is tracking or playback distortion:
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- Confirm that the tracking-force control is set to 1.75 g for the factory-fitted Nd9.
- Set the bias slider to the same numerical value.
- Replay a clean, known-good record at a moderate level and compare the result.
Tracking force and bias do not have documented evidence as a cure for electrical hum. The factory-fitted cartridge is already aligned; Rega advises against further alignment adjustment and recommends a Rega dealer for replacement fitting. Do not loosen cartridge screws or alter alignment merely because a buzz is present.
If distortion occurs on every record, stop and check the setup rather than increasing force at random. If it occurs on one record or one passage, inspect that record and the stylus. These checks address groove playback; they do not replace the PSU-placement and phono-wiring tests for a hum that is audible between tracks.
5. Isolate the signal path without creating new faults
Once the PSU is in its quietest practical position and the cartridge type is matched, isolate one link at a time. Change only one item per test so you know which change affected the noise.
- Confirm the selected source. Select the phono input you are actually testing. Mute or disconnect other sources temporarily if their cables are close to the phono leads.
- Check both phono channels. With the amplifier at low volume, reseat the red and black plugs at the turntable and phono-stage ends. Do not force a connector into the wrong socket.
- Listen with the stylus lifted. Hum that remains is not being generated by a particular record groove. Note whether it is equal in both channels or concentrated on one side.
- Try a known-good record. If the noise follows one record while other records play cleanly, inspect the record and stylus rather than moving the PSU again.
- Check the phono mode. Verify MM for an Nd9 and MC for an Ania. If the phono stage has adjustable gain or loading, return to the cartridge manufacturer’s specified range instead of guessing.
- Recheck tracking only for groove-related distortion. Apply the Nd9 1.75 g and matching-bias instruction when appropriate; do not use it as an electrical-hum adjustment.
- Stop before opening hardware. If the noise persists after these external checks, leave the Neo PSU closed and arrange service.
Rega states that the Neo PSU MK2 has no user-serviceable parts. The manual specifies use of the supplied Rega PS1 AC adaptor. A damaged or suspect adaptor should be replaced only with a compatible part confirmed for your region and model, or handled by a dealer; replacing an adaptor is not a routine hum-reduction upgrade.
6. Decide whether a purchase is actually relevant
There is no documented accessory, isolation device or replacement phono stage that Rega presents as a measured cure for ordinary Planar 6 RS cartridge hum. Do not buy a new PSU, cable or grounding accessory merely because the deck is quiet in one room and noisy in another. Complete the placement, wiring and cartridge-mode tests first.
A replacement Rega PS1 24V AC power adaptor is relevant only when the supplied adaptor is damaged, missing or suspected to be faulty. Verify the exact Planar 6 RS and Neo PSU requirements, regional mains compatibility, stock and retailer details before ordering. The adaptor should be a compatible replacement, not an upgrade selected for a promised noise reduction.
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Likewise, a suitable MM or MC phono stage is a necessary purchase if you do not have one or if your existing input cannot match the installed cartridge. Its role is correct gain and equalisation. The available product information does not provide a noise-floor figure or promise that a particular phono stage will eliminate hum.
Symptoms, likely causes and next action
| Symptom | Most useful check | What not to infer |
|---|---|---|
| Low hum is present with the stylus lifted | Move the Neo PSU as far away as the cable allows, then reseat the phono plugs | It does not prove the motor or cartridge has failed |
| Hum is louder in one channel | Verify red/right and black/left connections and inspect the affected plug and socket | Do not assume a tracking-force problem |
| Noise appears only while a record plays | Try another clean record; then check Nd9 tracking force and bias if distortion is present | Tracking settings are not proven electrical-hum cures |
| Very low, harsh or overloaded sound | Match MM Nd9 or MC Ania to the phono-stage input | A new phono stage is not automatically a noise remedy |
| Noise began after moving or rewiring equipment | Restore the documented red/right, black/left signal path and the original PSU adaptor | Do not add an undocumented ground connection |
| Noise remains after all external checks | Contact a Rega dealer or distributor for isolation of the deck, phono stage, leads and cartridge | Do not open the Neo PSU or attempt internal repair |
Grounding: what to do and what not to do
The reviewed Planar 6 RS manual does not provide a separate ground-wire installation procedure. Do not improvise a wire from the turntable, tonearm or PSU to an amplifier chassis, mains earth or radiator. An extra connection can create a ground loop, introduce a safety risk or damage a connector, while giving you no model-specific assurance that it will reduce noise.
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Instead, keep the supplied signal and power connections intact and have a dealer determine whether the fault lies in the turntable, phono stage, cable, cartridge or building’s electrical environment. The absence of a user procedure is a reason to seek service, not an invitation to modify the deck.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to contact a Rega dealer or distributor
Arrange professional help when the hum survives PSU relocation, correct channel wiring and cartridge/input matching; when it is accompanied by intermittent sound or a dead channel; when the adaptor, cable or PSU appears damaged; or when the cartridge needs replacement or alignment. Rega’s downloads index directs service enquiries to UK dealers or global distributors: Rega User Manuals and downloads.
Give the technician useful observations: whether the hum is present with the stylus lifted, whether it affects one or both channels, which cartridge is installed, which MM/MC input is selected, and whether moving the Neo PSU changed anything. This information lets the dealer test the signal chain without guessing or opening equipment unnecessarily.
Keep the original adaptor, phono leads and cartridge information available for the appointment. If the noise changes when another appliance is switched on, record that observation, but do not dismantle household wiring. A dealer or distributor can decide whether the fault follows the deck, the phono stage, a cable or the local electrical environment.
Safe final setup
- Neo PSU MK2 positioned as far from the turntable as the supplied cable allows, with no strain on the cable.
- Red phono lead in the right channel and black phono lead in the left, fully seated at both ends.
- Phono stage set for the installed cartridge: MM for Nd9 or MC for Ania.
- Nd9 tracking force at 1.75 g and bias at the same number only when addressing tracking or groove distortion.
- Factory cartridge alignment left unchanged unless a dealer is fitting a replacement.
- Supplied Rega PS1 AC adaptor retained; no opened PSU, improvised ground wire or unverified replacement.
If those conditions are met and the noise is still objectionable, the next productive step is diagnosis by a Rega dealer or distributor rather than buying unproven noise accessories.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I put the Neo PSU MK2?
Place it as far from the Planar 6 RS turntable as the supplied cable allows, while keeping the cable relaxed and unstressed. Rega gives this as its specific measure for minimising hum picked up by the cartridge.
Will moving the PSU guarantee a quieter turntable?
No. Rega gives no decibel figure or guaranteed reduction. Treat relocation as a diagnostic test: keep the quieter position if the hum falls, then continue with wiring and cartridge-input checks if it does not.
Which phono lead is left and which is right?
Red is the right channel and black is the left channel. Both plugs should be fully seated at the turntable and phono-stage ends.
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Can I connect the Planar 6 RS directly to an AUX input?
No. The cartridge needs a suitable phono stage for gain and equalisation. Confirm that the phono input supports the installed cartridge type before connecting the deck.
Which phono setting does an Nd9 use?
The Nd9 is Rega’s standard moving-magnet configuration, so use an MM input or suitable MM phono stage. The Ania configuration is moving-coil and requires an MC input.
Does changing tracking force remove electrical hum?
No. For the factory Nd9, Rega specifies 1.75 g tracking force and bias set to the same number for tracking setup. Those settings address groove distortion, not documented electrical-hum reduction.
Should I add a separate ground wire?
No. The Planar 6 RS manual does not provide a separate ground-wire procedure. Keep the supplied connections intact and ask a Rega dealer or distributor to isolate persistent noise.
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Do not open the PSU; Rega states it has no user-serviceable parts. Use the supplied Rega PS1 adaptor, or have a dealer confirm an exact, region-compatible replacement if the original is damaged or faulty.
What information should I give a service technician?
Report whether hum remains with the stylus lifted, whether one or both channels are affected, which cartridge and MM/MC input are in use, and whether moving the Neo PSU changed the sound.
The Bottom Line
Move the Neo PSU MK2 as far from the Planar 6 RS as its cable allows, verify red/right and black/left phono wiring, and match the phono input to the installed Nd9 MM or Ania MC cartridge. Use 1.75 g tracking force and matching bias only for Nd9 tracking problems. Do not open the PSU or add a ground wire; persistent hum belongs with a Rega dealer or distributor.
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