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Rega Nd5
The all new Nd5 moving magnet cartridge was developed over 10 years and promises to deliver ‘next level’ performance from moving magnet technology. The Nd range(patent pending) is a world first to use an ultra-high powered Neodymium magnet which allow us to create this totally unique design.
Advanced Moving Magnet
Each Nd5 is meticulously hand-made by our highly skilled technicians. The stylus profile is a perfect elliptical nude diamond. This is a true ellipse created by an elliptical grinding process made from polycrystalline manmade diamond. The design uses brand new generator geometry with perfect symmetry to achieve accurate channel balance. The Nd5 also has an optimised pole gap for superior linearity and cross talk characteristics. This provides a far wider soundstage than the previous models. This new cartridge is created with miniaturised parallel coils which are wound in house utilising 38-micron wire with just 1275 turns. This produces a low inductance, low impedance generator giving vastly improved high frequency response. In keeping with our commitment to sustainability, the Nd range is supplied in 100% recyclable packaging.
Key Features
- Perfect elliptical nude diamond profile stylus
- Aluminium cantilever
- Neodymium magnet
- Unique generator
- Rega 3 point mounting system
- Highly rigid lightweight PPS body
- Handmade stereo cartridge
- 100% recyclable packaging
- Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects
Nd Magnet technology
Often used in Moving Coil designs (including our own), we believe the Nd5 is the first moving magnet cartridge to utilise a Neodymium (Nd) N55 magnet. This is the world’s most powerful commercially available magnet and is a crucial component that makes this unique design possible by delivering more power than standard bar magnet design.
Glass filled PPS body
The complete assembly is housed in our zero tolerance injection moulded glass filled polyphenylene sulphide body (PPS) which is a lightweight and highly rigid material. A low mass body reduces stress on the tonearm bearings and aids free movement which is critical in accurate vinyl replay. This new body design was inspired by our hugely successful MC range.
Cantilever & stylus profile
The Nd5 aluminium cantilever is fitted with a precision perfect elliptical nude diamond stylus. This profile provides exceptional tracking accuracy and extracts greater levels of detail from the vinyl surface.
Factory Fitted options
The Nd5 cartridge will be offered as a factory fitted option on the multi-award winning Planar 3 and Planar 6 turntable models. Designed specifically with these turntables in mind, the Nd5 promises to extract the very best from your vinyl collection. The factory fitted packages are offered at a discounted rate compared to when purchased separately. Ask your Rega dealer for details.
Rega rebuild scheme
The unique pivot pad design of Rega cartridges improves performance by eliminating the mechanical joint between the stylus housing and the main body. This vastly improves tracking ability and stability of the stylus. If you should damage or wear out your Rega cartridge, simply return it to you Rega dealer and they will supply you with a rebuild cartridge fitted with a new cantilever, stylus and pivot pad. Each rebuild is fully tested as a new cartridge would be. The rebuild is sold at a reduced price once you trade in your worn or damaged cartridge that is equivalent to a replacement stylus offered by other manufacturers.
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Professional Reviews 90/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
91/100
Build Quality
86/100
Features Usability
84/100
Value for Money
92/100
Rega’s Nd5 brings fast, tightly focused vinyl playback with transparent detail, deep bass and an effortlessly rhythmic flow. Its nude elliptical stylus uncovers low-level texture and convincing three-dimensional space, while the 5–6mV output suits standard MM phono stages. The Ear found it markedly more refined and open than key rivals, making this a compelling route to high-end musical insight without moving-coil complexity.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Fast, tightly focused presentation with assured timing and natural musical flow.
Fine low-level detail, transparency and realistic three-dimensional imaging.
Clean, open treble, expressive dynamics and impressively deep, controlled bass.
Three-point mounting makes installation and alignment especially straightforward on compatible Rega tonearms.
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Cons
Non-Rega tonearms require conventional two-screw fitting and manual alignment.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
The Nd5 is praised for its fast, tightly focused and musically fluent presentation, combining strong transparency with a relaxed sense of refinement. Review listening also found deep bass, clean open treble, expressive dynamics and convincing dimensionality.
Overall Sound
92/100
The Ear found the Nd5 notably faster, tighter and more precisely focused than Rega's less expensive model, with timing that makes a wide range of music flow naturally. It was also described as refined, clean and open, with deep bass, strong dynamic energy and a relaxed, nuanced treble balance.
Tracking Retrieval
89/100
The nude elliptical stylus is reported to uncover harmonics, quiet musical cues and greater transparency than the Exact, helping recordings sound more engaging and realistic. The review calls its tracking ability more than adequate, although it also notes that ultimate detail resolution is not especially high.
Soundstage Imaging
90/100
Review listening describes a realistic, three-dimensional image, along with good image depth and finely resolved spatial information. Its precise focus and retrieval of low-level detail appear to support a well-organised stereo picture.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 84/100
Tonearm compatibility / system fit.
Tonearm Compatibility
84/100
Its healthy 5-6mV output and 1.75g tracking force should make phono-stage matching straightforward for a moving-magnet design. Rega's three-point mounting is especially convenient on compatible Rega tonearms, though users of conventional two-screw headshells should confirm mounting compatibility and alignment requirements.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
86/100
The Nd5 uses a nude elliptical diamond stylus, miniaturised parallel coils and Rega's secure three-point fixing arrangement. Reviewers do not offer detailed long-term durability observations, but the stated design and execution suggest a carefully made cartridge.
Value for Money
92/100
At roughly 295-407, the Nd5 is presented as delivering high-quality vinyl performance without requiring extravagant spending. The review's experience with the P2/Nd5 combination, described as delivering results a sub-£800 turntable rarely manages, is particularly strong value praise.
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Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Rega Nd5
- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Accent On Music — in-store — Mount Kisco, New York, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Streams — in-store — Lower Drift, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
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