New Rega RP8

[Rack Kit]

http://www.rega.co.uk/planar-8.html

Sorry, ‘Planar’ 8.

Looks great!

Roll on the Planar 10...

 

[James Evans]

How nice is that!

 

[Erocka2000]

Looks nice, but I really wish they wouldn't have the exposed foam look. I feel it really cheapens everything. Why not just encase it like the top and bottom of the plinth?

 

[Seanm]

Oooh.

 

[jamesd]

very interesting

 

[James Evans]

I'm going to come out in support of the exposed foam look.

 

[Darren]

For me it looks cheap.
What happens if you get the exposed foam dirty or greasy in some way? Bet it doesn't clean worth squat. How about if you are moving the thing and accidentally stick your fingers into the foam marking the surface?
If it were a clever budget model where every penny counts I could understand it... but its not.

No plinth to speak of, no proper dust cover...... Bet this model is quite a bit cheaper for Rega to produce overall and they are charging another £20? Gee.....Thanks!

The previous model for me every time. Bet I would struggle to hear the improvement anyway.

 

[htsdgrvs]

I'm going to come out in support of the exposed foam look.

It's not bad, in a "materials should look like themselves," sense. Kindof like exposed plywood laminations on Magico speakers.

 

[jamesd]

I guess unpainted carbon fiber is cool and foam isn’t. I don’t mind it at all

 

[Dowser]

I like its looks

 

[dudywoxer]

Looks nice, I bet the exposed foam is to let the ''bad'' vibrations out

what do the arm screws screw into, gotta be something other than foam?

 

[Ptah]

Looks nice, I bet the exposed foam is to let the ''bad'' vibrations out

what do the arm screws screw into, gotta be something other than foam?

On the RP8 the metal braces top and bottom provide the structure I believe.

 

[sq225917]

Bridging the foam will alter how it sounds, hence the defined through contacts at arm and bearing.

 

[Gerard124]

Looks nice, but I really wish they wouldn't have the exposed foam look. I feel it really cheapens everything. Why not just encase it like the top and bottom of the plinth?

For me it looks cheap.
What happens if you get the exposed foam dirty or greasy in some way? Bet it doesn't clean worth squat. How about if you are moving the thing and accidentally stick your fingers into the foam marking the surface?
If it were a clever budget model where every penny counts I could understand it... but its not.

The previous model for me every time. Bet I would struggle to hear the improvement anyway.

I agree, it really is a shame they left the foam like that it looks very cheap for a premium product a bit naff really - I could have been tempted to audition.

 

[Hoopsontoast]

Looks great!

 

[Andrew C!]

I like the look of this. Wonder what the Planar 10 will look/sound like.

I’m not as hung up with the foam. It’s only as inconvenient as having foam grills on the SL2’s....

 

[echann]

I'm going to come out in support of the exposed foam look.

Me too. Like true modern architecture. True to its materials.

 

[krenzler]

 

[Paul Mc]

Visually, preferred the old version. Sound wise, I have no idea.

 

[hifi_dave]

Looks even better in the flesh and it is only £20 more than the previous RP8.