Rega APHETA 2 Cartridge

The Apheta 2 is the second generation of Rega’s unique moving coil cartridges. Taking the technology developed from the first Apheta to the next level, our engineers have fine tuned every aspect of the original design.

Apheta 2 features a super high-powered, neodymium magnet and a coil meticulously hand wound on an iron cross that is fifty percent smaller than the original. This weight reduction allows us greater freedom to track the vinyl groove ensuring even more detail is extracted from the vinyl.

To further enhance the design, the Apheta 2 is housed within a completely redesigned, single piece, aluminium 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.

The entire production department was overhauled at great expense to introduce the Apheta 2 MC. Huge investments into High Definition magnification cameras and displays have allowed us to work at much higher detail and far tighter tolerances than ever possible on the original model.

The Apheta 2 is the perfect partner for the RP8 and RP10 turntables which can be supplied factory fitted at a discounted package rate if requested. Please ask your retailer for details.

A unique design.

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 Apheta 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-four 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.

Conventional MC cartridges utilize a steel suspension system (tie wire) which creates a high amplitude H.F. resonance (normally around 8-12kHz). Such resonance is unacceptable and is usually damped by a rudimentary piece of foam rubber.However, the foam rubber deteriorates with age and cannot prevent the complete structure from vibrating and “ringing”.The specifics and adjustment of the tie wire and damping determine whether the cartridge is under damped (bright) or over damped (warm and bass heavy).

A happy medium is rarely achieved.This encouraged Rega to pursue a new direction inspired by modern materials and the basic laws of magnetism. The Apheta 2 contains neither a tie wire nor a foam damper. Moving coil aficionados will all recognise the long search for super clear, high frequency combined with firm, tight bass.