Rega Nd5 Moving Magnet Cartridge

If the Rega Nd3 announced the arrival of a new era for moving magnet cartridges, the Rega Nd5 takes that promise and elevates it further. Developed over ten years by Rega's engineering team in Southend-on-Sea, the Nd5 shares the same groundbreaking Neodymium N55 magnet technology — believed to be a world first for a moving magnet design — but pairs it with a more refined stylus assembly that digs deeper into the groove and retrieves more of what your records have to offer.

Where the Nd3 uses a bonded elliptical stylus, the Nd5 steps up to a precision perfect elliptical nude diamond — a true ellipse created through an elliptical grinding process from polycrystalline manmade diamond. "Nude" refers to the diamond being bonded directly to the cantilever without a stylus shank, reducing mass and improving contact with the groove wall. The result is a more intimate connection with the recorded signal — finer detail, better dynamics, and a more natural, involving presentation that brings your vinyl collection to life.

Like every cartridge in the Rega Nd range, the Nd5 is built around a completely new generator geometry, engineered for perfect symmetry and accurate channel balance. Its optimised pole gap reduces crosstalk and improves linearity, whilst the miniaturised parallel coils — wound in-house with 38-micron wire across 1,275 turns — deliver a low inductance, low impedance output with a notably improved high-frequency response. The sound is open, detailed, and beautifully controlled.

The complete assembly sits within the same lightweight, highly rigid glass-filled PPS body found across the Nd range — a design inspired by Rega's acclaimed moving coil cartridges. Low mass means the tonearm bearings remain free and unencumbered, which is essential for accurate, stress-free vinyl replay.

The Nd5 is available as a factory-fitted option on the Rega Planar 3 and Rega Planar 6 at a discounted package rate — and it's the standard fitment on the flagship Rega Planar 3 RS Edition. For anyone looking to get the most from a mid-to-high-level Rega deck straight out of the box, it's the natural choice. It also makes an outstanding standalone upgrade for existing turntable owners browsing our full range of turntable cartridges.

Rega's rebuild scheme ensures long-term value too — simply return a worn or damaged Nd5 to us and it can be rebuilt with a fresh cantilever, stylus, and pivot pad at a fraction of the cost of a replacement. And as with the entire Nd range, the Nd5 ships in 100% recyclable packaging, reflecting Rega's commitment to sustainable manufacturing.

Critically lauded since its launch, the Nd5 has earned a Best Buy from The Ear and a Highly Recommended from Hi-Fi Choice — recognitions that reflect just how significant this cartridge is for the world of analogue audio.

Key Features & Specifications

• Magnet type: Neodymium N55 — the world's most powerful commercially available magnet
• Stylus profile: Perfect elliptical nude diamond — true ellipse, polycrystalline manmade diamond
• Cantilever: Aluminium
• Generator design: Brand-new geometry with miniaturised parallel coils wound in-house
• Wire gauge: 38-micron, 1,275 turns
• Output voltage: 5–6 mV (nominal)
• Tracking pressure: 1.75 g
• Mounting system: Rega 3-point fixing
• Body: Highly rigid, lightweight glass-filled PPS
• Coil configuration: Miniaturised parallel coils (low inductance, low impedance)
• Window colour: Clear smoked
• Packaging: 100% recyclable
• Warranty: Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects
• Rebuild scheme: Available via your dealer — new cantilever, stylus, and pivot pad at a reduced cost
• Factory-fitted option on: Rega Planar 3, Planar 3 RS Edition, Planar 6

Get Expert Advice from Martins Hi-Fi

Not sure whether the Nd5 is the right upgrade for your turntable, or whether to go factory-fitted with a new deck? Our team at Martins Hi-Fi are always happy to talk it through.

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