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Short answer: the Rega Planar 6 RS Edition is an upgraded Planar 6 package, not a fundamentally different turntable. Both use Rega’s low-mass rectangular plinth, glass platter, 24 V motor, external Neo power supply and dustcover. The RS adds the RB880 tonearm, a CNC twin-drive pulley with two Reference EBLT belts, a brushed-aluminium skin and higher-tier cartridge packages. Choose the RS when those upgrades and its Nd9 or Ania configuration justify the premium; choose the standard Planar 6 when the RB330 package, your preferred cartridge or the lower total cost matters more.
The exact cartridge and bundle are region-dependent, so compare complete listings rather than model names alone. Rega’s product page is the authority for current RS variants: Planar 6 RS Edition.
Planar 6 RS Edition vs Planar 6 at a glance
The RS keeps the familiar Planar 6 operating concept. You still get a belt-drive turntable with an external electronic power supply, a low-mass foam-core plinth, a glass platter and a rectangular dustcover. The meaningful changes are concentrated in the arm, drive pulley and belts, exterior treatment and fitted cartridge options.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →| Area | Planar 6 RS Edition | Standard Planar 6 | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonearm | RB880 | RB330 | The RS uses the higher-tier arm also fitted to the Planar 8. |
| Drive hardware | CNC twin-drive pulley and two Reference EBLT belts | Standard Planar 6 drive configuration | Rega says the RS arrangement is intended to improve speed accuracy and control. |
| Cartridge options | Nd9 moving magnet or Ania moving coil; Rega also describes an Ania/Fono MC package | Package varies by market and retailer; Nd7 is used in What Hi-Fi?’s comparison | Cartridge type determines phono-stage requirements and affects the real package value. |
| Plinth and finish | Tancast 8 foam core/HPL with brushed-aluminium skin and matching edging | Tancast 8 foam core/HPL; importer listings include matt white and matt Polaris grey | The RS has a visibly different metal-clad exterior while retaining the same low-mass concept. |
| Power and speed control | Neo MK2 PSU, electronic 33⅓/45 rpm switching, low-noise 24 V motor | Neo PSU, electronic speed control, low-noise 24 V motor | Both use an external supply rather than a built-in speed selector on the deck. |
| Platter and cover | Dual-layer glass platter and rectangular dustcover | Dual-layer glass platter and rectangular dustcover | Day-to-day setup and footprint remain recognisably Planar 6. |
Rega announced the RS as an available model on 19 March 2026 and specifically described the new drive as “an upgraded CNC twin drive pulley and two Rega Reference EBLT drive belts for improved accuracy and speed control.” Read the manufacturer announcement for that wording and launch context.
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What both turntables share
Low-mass plinth architecture
Both decks use Rega’s Tancast 8 foam-core/HPL approach. The design keeps the supporting structure light and rigid rather than relying on a heavy, inert cabinet. The RS adds a brushed aluminium skin, but it does not abandon the Planar 6 platform or change its basic placement requirements.
External Neo power supply
The Neo supply sits outside the turntable and provides electronic switching between 33⅓ and 45 rpm. That means you change speed at the PSU instead of moving the belt by hand. Allow space for the supply and keep its cables clear of the tonearm wiring.
Glass platter, motor and dustcover
A low-noise 24 V motor drives the dual-layer glass platter. Both versions retain the classic rectangular plinth and matching dustcover, so accessories sized for the Planar 6 platform are generally the relevant category to investigate. Do not assume that a generic accessory will fit without checking its dimensions and hinge arrangement.
The hardware upgrades that define the RS Edition
RB880 instead of RB330
The most substantial component change is the tonearm. The RS uses Rega’s RB880, while the standard Planar 6 uses the RB330. The RB880 is also used on the Planar 8, placing the RS arm above the standard P6’s arm in Rega’s range.
This matters when you plan to keep the deck for years or upgrade cartridges later. A tonearm is part of the playback system, so its bearings, wiring and adjustment range influence which cartridges you can sensibly use. The RS upgrade is built into the package; buying a standard P6 and trying to replicate it later would require replacing the arm and paying for installation and setup.
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Twin pulley and two Reference EBLT belts
Instead of the standard Planar 6 drive arrangement, the RS uses a CNC twin-drive pulley and two Reference EBLT belts. Rega positions this as a speed-control and accuracy improvement, not as a new operating system. The pulley and belts are factory-matched components, so buyers should not treat the change as simply adding a spare belt.
Belts are consumable parts. If you eventually replace them, confirm that the replacement specification is correct for the RS twin-pulley setup. Fitting an unrelated belt can undermine the geometry the package was designed around.
Brushed-aluminium exterior
The RS wraps its Tancast 8/HPL core in a brushed metal skin with matching edging. This is the most visible distinction when the decks are side by side. The standard Planar 6 remains available in finishes such as matt white and matt Polaris grey in the official importer listing at Joenit’s Planar 6 page.
The metal treatment is not merely a colour choice: it changes the tactile and visual character of the deck while preserving the low-mass construction underneath. Decide whether that finish has value in your room; it does not by itself guarantee a sonic improvement.
Cartridges and bundles: compare the complete package
RS cartridge configurations
Rega lists the RS with either the Nd9 moving-magnet cartridge or the Ania moving-coil cartridge. Its product information also describes an Ania/Fono MC package. Because listings can separate the turntable, cartridge and phono stage, verify exactly what is in the carton before comparing prices.
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Do not describe every RS as Nd9-equipped. A dealer may be offering the Ania version, a deck without a cartridge, or a bundle that includes the Fono MC phono stage. The product page is the best place to check the current official variants, while the individual dealer listing determines what you are actually buying.
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The standard P6 package varies. What Hi-Fi?’s comparison uses a Planar 6 fitted with the Nd7, and reports that Nd9 is not a factory-fitted standard Planar 6 option. A bare P6 listing, an Nd7 bundle and a third-party cartridge installation are different products for value purposes.
Why cartridge type changes the system cost
An Nd9 or Nd7 is a moving-magnet design; the Ania is moving-coil. The RS itself has no built-in phono stage, Bluetooth or USB. Your amplifier therefore needs a suitable phono input, or you need a separate phono stage. For Ania, confirm that the input supports moving-coil operation or budget for an appropriate MC phono stage. If the offer includes the Fono MC, check that it is the specific component named in the listing rather than assuming every Ania package includes it.
Price difference and how to calculate value
What Hi-Fi?’s review, published 8 October 2026, reported these prices in the UK, US and Australia:
| Package reported in the review | UK | US | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planar 6 RS with Nd9 | £2,000 | $3,195 | AU$4,199 |
| Standard Planar 6 with Nd7 | £1,655 | $2,595 | AU$3,499 |
| Reported difference | £345 | $600 | AU$700 |
| Nd9 cartridge sold separately (reported) | £695 | $1,095 | AU$1,499 |
These are dated prices reported by What Hi-Fi?, not guaranteed live quotes. Taxes, exchange rates, dealer discounts, regional availability, cartridge selection and bundles can all change the calculation. The separate Nd9 figures explain why an RS package may look more attractive than a simple deck-to-deck comparison, but they do not establish that every buyer would pay that standalone price or that every region uses the same bundle.
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Use the full-system equation: turntable, fitted cartridge, phono stage, cables or accessories you actually need, delivery and any installation. Comparing an RS Ania/Fono MC package with a bare standard P6 is not a like-for-like price comparison.
What setup requires on either model
- Provide a stable support. Place the deck on a level, rigid surface away from loudspeaker vibration. Leave room for the dustcover to open and for the external Neo PSU.
- Connect the Neo supply. Follow the supplied cable orientation and keep power wiring separated from sensitive signal cables where practical.
- Choose the correct phono input. Use a moving-magnet input for Nd7 or Nd9. Use a moving-coil input or a suitable MC phono stage for Ania. A normal line-level input will not provide the required phono equalisation or gain.
- Install or check the cartridge. Factory-fitted packages should still be inspected for transit movement. If the cartridge is supplied separately, have alignment and tracking force set with the cartridge manufacturer’s specifications.
- Select speed electronically. Use the Neo PSU’s 33⅓ or 45 rpm control. Do not move the belt by hand to change between those speeds.
- Set tracking and anti-skate. Follow the tonearm and cartridge instructions. The RB880 and RB330 are different arms, so do not copy a setup value from one model to the other without checking the cartridge and arm documentation.
- Check the first record. Listen for channel imbalance, obvious hum, unstable pitch or mistracking. Stop and correct setup rather than increasing amplifier volume to mask a problem.
Neither model provides Bluetooth or USB recording as standard. If wireless playback or digitisation is a requirement, plan for separate equipment rather than expecting a hidden setting in the Neo PSU.
Sound expectations and the limits of comparisons
What Hi-Fi? reported that the RS sounded more composed and detailed than the standard P6 in its own comparison, while also describing the standard model as capable. That is an editorial listening judgment, not a universal measurement or a guarantee that every system will produce the same difference. Cartridge, phono stage, alignment, records, speakers and room acoustics all affect what you hear.
The practical implication is to treat the RS upgrades as engineering and package advantages first. If you can audition both with the same amplifier, phono stage, cartridge type and records, do so. If an audition is impossible, make the decision from the hardware, bundle contents and your upgrade plans rather than assuming a particular sonic gap.
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Choose the RS Edition when…
- You specifically want the RB880 tonearm and intend to keep the turntable through future cartridge changes.
- The CNC twin pulley and two Reference EBLT belts are worth the additional cost to you for the stated speed-control objective.
- You prefer the brushed-aluminium skin and matching edging to the standard finishes.
- The Nd9 or Ania package matches your system, and you have confirmed the required MM or MC phono input.
- The complete price difference remains acceptable after adding any phono stage, especially for an Ania configuration.
Choose the standard Planar 6 when…
- The RB330 meets your needs and the money saved is more useful elsewhere in the system.
- You already own a cartridge you prefer and do not need the RS’s fitted Nd9 or Ania option.
- You want a particular standard-P6 finish or a local package that is easier to obtain and support.
- Your phono stage and cartridge budget make the RS premium difficult to justify.
Use a simple decision test
- Write down the exact cartridge, phono stage and accessories in each quotation.
- Subtract the value of equipment you would otherwise buy separately.
- Decide whether the RB880 and twin-belt drive are long-term priorities or features you would never exploit.
- Check local warranty, returns and service support for the exact serialised product.
- Audition both if possible; otherwise choose the package whose documented hardware and system compatibility fit your priorities.
Buying checklist: questions to ask a dealer
- Which cartridge is fitted: Nd9, Ania, Nd7 or another model?
- Does the price include the Fono MC in an Ania bundle?
- Is the listing for a complete turntable or a deck supplied without a cartridge?
- Is this the RS twin-pulley version with two Reference EBLT belts?
- Which finish and regional voltage configuration are supplied?
- What are the warranty, return and dead-on-arrival procedures?
- Is the item currently in stock, and can the dealer confirm the exact model before dispatch?
Availability and pricing vary by country. A retailer’s headline photograph may not show the cartridge or phono stage included, so rely on the written specification and invoice.
Best Value
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Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Comparing model names instead of packages
“Planar 6 RS” and “Planar 6” do not identify identical bundles. Cartridge and phono-stage inclusion can change the value by hundreds in the currencies reported above. Compare line-by-line contents.
Connecting an MC cartridge to an MM-only input
Ania needs moving-coil-compatible gain and loading. If your amplifier offers only moving magnet, add a suitable MC phono stage or select an MM package instead.
Assuming the RS always includes Nd9
Rega documents multiple RS configurations. Confirm the fitted cartridge for the exact regional listing before using Nd9 pricing in your calculation.
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The reviewed RS has no Bluetooth, USB or integrated phono stage. The standard P6 is likewise a conventional analogue turntable. Add external hardware if those functions are essential.
Treating a listening review as a laboratory result
The reported composure and detail advantage comes from What Hi-Fi?’s listening comparison. It is useful context, but your system may produce a smaller, larger or differently characterised difference.
Verdict
The Planar 6 RS Edition is the better-equipped choice: RB880 arm, twin Reference EBLT belts, CNC pulley, metal-clad finish and higher-tier cartridge possibilities. The standard Planar 6 remains the rational buy when its RB330 package already satisfies you or when the premium is better spent on a phono stage, speakers or records. Make the decision on the complete, region-specific package and the cartridge-to-phono compatibility—not on the RS badge alone.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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