Coming Soon: Rega Aphelion 2

We mentioned in  our coverage of the Bristol Hi-Fi show that Rega was introducing a series of new products for 2020. Among those products is a new upgraded version of Rega's reference Moving Coil cartridge, the Aphelion. The new version, the Aphelion 2, brings even greater performance to your turntable, and now we have more details!

Rega gave us the first glimpse of the new Aphelion 2 at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show

The new Aphelion 2 is the star of the 4th generation cartridges, joining the recently released  Apheta 3 and Ania Pro cartridges. The Aphelion 2 improves upon the original by combining the new Fine Line Nude Diamond stylus used in the Apheta 3 with boron rod cantilever. The Aphelion 3 also features a high-powered neodymium magnet and ultra-fine wire coil that make up the world smallest MC generator. all of this is housed in a high-spec anodized aluminum body and translucent yellow cover.

From Rega:

Aphelion 2 is the 4th generation of Rega's unique handmade moving coil cartridges.Taking the technology developed from the original Aphelion and the latest Apheta 3 to the next level, our engineers have now fine-tuned every aspect of the original designs.
Aphelion 2 features a boron rod cantilever now fitted with our most advanced "fine line type" nude diamond profile, combined with a super high-powered neodymium magnet and a coil meticulously hand wound on an iron micro cross. The weight reduction of the generator allows us greater freedom to track the vinyl groove ensuring even more detail is extracted from the vinyl.The Aphelion 2 is housed within a single piece, aluminium black anodised body and protected by a CAD designed, clear rigid cover to protect the internal fine wires, making handling whilst fitting, safe and risk free.

Product Details for the Aphelion 2 MC Cartridge

The hand built Aphelion 2 Moving Coil cartridge is the ultimate in micro engineering and design. This ground breaking new cartridge is guaranteed to retrieve more music from your vinyl than ever before.

To improve stiffness, we are using a boron rod cantilever to increase tracking accuracy and ultimate performance 'Fine Line Type' profile. Rega's Moving Coil cartridge design is unique in its approach to achieving an ultra-low mass generator which is undamped (no tie wire) using a unique rhomboid pivot for the cantilever, powered by a purpose designed, exclusive to Rega, neodymium magnet system. This type of design requires a zero-tolerance engineered cartridge body which is Rega's area of expertise and with the Aphelion 2 these bodies are machined from one piece of the highest quality aluminium. This is a difficult and expensive process requiring all of Rega's forty-seven years of experience to achieve. In particular, the "zero" tolerancing of the body is required in the alignment and dimension of the pivot pad mounting hole and the magnet mechanism mounting hole relationship.

Aphelion 2 Technical Specifications and Features

Specifications:

• Tracking Pressure 1.9 g
• Input load impedance 100 ohms
• Output impedance 10 ohms
• Nominal output voltage 350μV
• Channel Balance : ≥ 10μV
• Separation : ≥ -29dB
• Mass 6g

Key Features:

• Graded zero tolerance black anodised aluminium body
• Boron rod cantilever
• 'Fine Line Type' profile, nude diamond stylus
• Iron micro cross & coil assembly making one of the worlds smallest MC generators.
• Worlds most powerful minaturised neodymium magnet.
• High specification fine wire 0.018mm

Load settings for adjustable MC stages:

• Impedance -100ohm
• Capacitance - 1000pF
• Gain setting - High ('On' position for Rega phono stages)

MC dip switch settings for all adjustable Rega MC cartridge models.

Aria MC dip switch settings for all Rega MC cartridge models