Rega P3 User manual

Your Rega turntable has been designed to effectively reproduce
music whilst being easy to use. We have omitted all the usual
gimmicks; concentrating the manufacturing costs on the high
quality and design necessary to reproduce records accurately.
Using a manual speed change (for the odd occasion you may
want to play a 45 RPM record) rather than an automatic
mechanism, eliminates speed inconsistencies and possible
damage to the drive belt. The money we save with this method is
spent on an expensive low vibration motor which would normally
be used on a turntable costing two or three times the amount.
Rega’s simplistic design and the use of extremely high quality
components ensure that your turntable should last for many
years. The tips we give here may help increase the longevity of
your planar 3 and give you maximum musical enjoyment
combined with ease of use.
P3INSTRUCTIONS
:LH Earth
:RH Earth
:RH Signal
:LH Signal
Blue
Green
Red
White
With the cartridge fitted and the alignment protractor
supplied, ensure that the tracking force control and
bias adjustment slider is set to zero. Slide the
balance weight along its shaft until the stylus is
“floating” just 1mm clear of the record.
The recommended tracking force can now be applied
by means of the tracking force control – always use
a force which corresponds to the upper limit of the
cartridge maker’s recommended range. Set the bias
adjustment slider to the same number as the
tracking force control.
- I.e. 1 1/2 g tracking force = 1 1/2 on the bias slider.
WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT TO ADJUST OR REPAIR THIS PRODUCT BY PERSONS OTHER THAN REGA PERSONNEL MAY INVALIDATE THE GUARANTEE.
33
45
Power
On/Off Switch
Red (Right Channel)
White (Left Channel)
Bias
Adjustment
Slider

P3P3
10
1
2
3
456
789
Mount the turntable on a rigid, level surface. A light shelf or
turntable support (such as our own) screwed to a wall or in an
alcove is ideal. Avoid mounting on hollow or heavy cabinets or
anything mounted on a wooden floor.
Try to keep the lid closed while playing the records. This will prevent dust falling on to the records and
make cleaning unnecessary. There may also be a sonic improvement.
Don’t use any record cleaner that works while the record is playing or any
cleaners that use water or solvents. If you keep your records stored in their
sleeves, avoid touching the playing surfaces, play with the lid down and
keep all water and fluids away,keep all water and fluids away, cleaning should not be necessary.
Don’t worry about visible dust on the record surface, this is brushed aside
by the stylus and any that collects on the stylus can be easily blown away.
In general, record cleaning is overdone and one should not believe all the
claims made by record cleaner manufacturers.
Leave the turntable running during a record playing session. Switch on
before the session and only switch off after you have finished.
Don’t lift the centre hub out from the main bearing. The bearing is factory
assembled with a film of special thick lubricant. If the centre hub is removed this
film may be disturbed.
Rega turntables are designed to optimise performance for music reproduction and therefore
no compromises have been made to give quick start times. The normal time taken for full
speed to be reached is between 2-5 seconds. However, in some cases a slower start time or
slight rattle should cause no concern. Carefully spinning the platter clockwise as you switch
the motor on, gives a quicker start up time and will prolong the life of the belt and the motor.
The arm earth (or ground) is automatically connected through the arm cable
screening. No other earthing should be necessary.
Save the original packing in case you ever need to transport the turntable.
Don’t use any polishes on the turntable or lid. To clean or dust, wipe gently
with a soft cotton duster (slightly damp only if necessary).
Should you experience any problem with your turntable
or wish to enquire about servicing please contact your
Rega dealer.
NB: No. 6 of the hints and tips only applies to the old ‘planar’
turntables. The new turntables no longer have suspended
motors so therefore will not rattle on start up.
Hints and Tips Using
your Turntable