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2 Years Warranty
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Interest FreeInstalments
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2 Years Warranty
MM cartridge with carbon cantilever and replaceable stylus
The cartridge of the Planar 1 and Planar 2
The Rega Carbon is a high-quality moving magnet (MM) cartridge designed for easy fitting and setup, with accurate music reproduction as its main goal. It is the cartridge factory-fitted to the Planar 1 and Planar 2 turntables and Rega's most affordable MM cartridge. The company presents it as one of the best-performing cartridges in its class relative to its price.
Standard mounting for any tonearm
The Carbon uses the established half-inch, two-screw mounting, so it can be fitted not only to Rega tonearms but also to arms from other manufacturers. Its wide tracking force range, from 2 to 3 g, makes it forgiving to set up and ideal for anyone taking their first steps into vinyl. An output of 2.5 mV at 1 kHz suits any MM phono stage.
Warranty
It is covered by Rega's Lifetime Limited Warranty against confirmed manufacturing defects. The stylus, as a consumable part, is easily replaced by the user.
Detail, accuracy and value
The Carbon proves that an affordable cartridge does not have to be a compromise. Rega designed it to convey the dynamics and timing of music in a way usually found in more expensive cartridges, which is why it chose it for the popular Planar 1 and Planar 2 turntables, for many listeners their very first contact with the world of vinyl and the start of a lifelong passion.
Sound character
From the first listen it is clear why Rega trusts it. The sound of the Carbon is defined by dynamics, tight and well-controlled bass and a balanced tonal presentation. The midrange is clear and voices sound natural, while the treble is smooth, with good control of sibilance. The stereo image is convincing, with stable placement of instruments between the speakers. It is a sound that never tires the ear, suited to every kind of music, from jazz and classical to rock and electronic, and it rewards long listening sessions.
Output for any phono stage
Compatibility is another strength. With an output of 2.5 mV at 1 kHz, the Carbon works with any MM phono stage, from the phono input of an amplifier to dedicated phono stages such as the Rega Fono Mini A2D MK2 and Fono MM MK5. Frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz covers the full audible range. A low weight of 5 g makes the cartridge compatible with most tonearms, while the standard two-screw mounting keeps installation simple for anyone, even without previous experience.
Carbon cantilever
The cartridge takes its name from the material of its cantilever, the fine arm that carries the movements of the stylus to the magnet inside the cartridge body. The choice of carbon is no accident: it is a material that combines low mass with high stiffness, two properties every cartridge designer is looking for in pursuit of accurate tracking.
Why it matters
The physics of vinyl playback are demanding. The stylus has to follow the tiny undulations of the groove precisely, thousands of times every second. A light cantilever responds faster to these changes, while its stiffness ensures the movement reaches the magnet without being lost or distorted along the way. The audible result is better resolution, cleaner transients and more stable reproduction of dynamic passages, even in the most demanding parts of a record, such as loud orchestral climaxes or the inner grooves near the label.
Conical stylus
The stylus profile completes the design. At the tip of the cantilever sits a conical stylus. The conical profile is durable, tolerant of small deviations in setup and kind to records, which is especially important in a first vinyl system. Combined with the wide tracking force range of 2 to 3 g, the Carbon delivers consistently good results without requiring specialist knowledge or special tools. For those who want more detail, the Carbon Pro upgrade with an elliptical stylus is available.
Replaceable stylus
Like any stylus, the Carbon's wears gradually with use. Rega designed the cartridge so the stylus can be replaced easily by the user, without tools and without removing the cartridge from the tonearm or repeating its alignment, so keeping your turntable at its best is quick and straightforward, even for a complete beginner.
Renewed in seconds
The process could hardly be simpler. The old stylus is removed by gently pulling its plastic housing, and the new one is fitted at a slight angle with a simple movement until it clicks into place. The cartridge stays mounted and adjusted on the tonearm, so there is no need to check alignment or tracking force again. Your turntable quickly returns to its original performance, while your records are protected from the damage an old, worn stylus can cause over time to the groove walls.
Two stylus options
Replacement is also an opportunity to upgrade. Two replacement styli are available for the Carbon. The Carbon Stylus is the original conical stylus, for those who want to keep the character of the cartridge exactly as it left the factory. The Carbon Pro Stylus is an upgrade with a bonded elliptical profile, which reads the groove more precisely and offers better dynamics and more detail. Rega recommends it as a cost-effective upgrade for the Planar 1, Planar 1 Plus and Planar 2, and for any Carbon cartridge fitted to another turntable, whatever its make.
Features
- Moving magnet (MM) cartridge
- Carbon cantilever
- Conical stylus profile
- User-replaceable stylus
- Factory-fitted cartridge of the Planar 1 and Planar 2
- Lifetime Limited Warranty against manufacturing defects
Components & Internal Specifications
- Type: moving magnet, parallel winding
- Stylus: conical, replaceable
- Cantilever: carbon
- Mounting: standard 1/2 inch, two screws
- Colour: black / white
- Weight: 5 g
Performance Specifications
- Output: 2.5 mV @ 1 kHz
- Tracking force: 2 to 3 g
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Spares & Upgrades
- Replacement stylus: Rega Carbon Stylus (conical)
- Upgrade: Rega Carbon Pro Stylus (bonded elliptical)
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