Rega RB220 Tonearm

The RB220 is Rega's entry-level standalone tonearm, hand-assembled in Southend-on-Sea and built around a one-piece aluminium arm tube with Rega-designed polymer bearings. It uses Rega's standard three-point mounting system, making it compatible with any turntable built to accept a Rega arm — whether that is a new Planar 2 or a suitably equipped third-party deck. For listeners who want a properly engineered Rega tonearm at the entry point of the range, this is where to start.

What distinguishes the RB220 from arms at a similar price is the pre-set bias system. Most tonearms apply anti-skate as a fixed setting — a single value chosen as a compromise across the record surface. Rega's system adjusts the bias automatically as the arm tracks inward, compensating for the changing lateral forces from the outer groove to the inner. The result is more consistent tracking across the full surface of a record, and a simpler setup: there is no bias dial to calibrate by ear.

Where the RB220 Sits in the Rega Range

The RB220 is the entry point of Rega's five-arm standalone tonearm range. It is supplied as standard equipment on the Planar 2 and is also available separately for anyone fitting or upgrading a compatible turntable.

Above it, the RB330 introduces a redesigned vertical bearing housing with greater stiffness, a new bias assembly, an integrated arm clip, a Rega-made phono cable with Neutrik plugs, and a 100g mild steel balance weight. These are meaningful differences, not cosmetic ones. If your cartridge is at the Nd5 level or above, the RB330's bearing quality starts to matter. If you are pairing the arm with an entry-level cartridge on an entry-level turntable, the RB220 is correctly specified for the job.

One thing worth knowing: the RB220 is not a platform that can later accept the bearing housing from the RB330. If upgrade potential matters, build that into the decision now.

Sound and Performance

Rega's core design principle — minimal mass, maximum rigidity — is applied throughout the tonearm range, and the RB220 is built from that same starting point. Low friction is the priority: the polymer bearings are engineered to resist movement as little as possible, because any bearing friction forces the stylus to work against the arm rather than tracking freely in the groove. Even small amounts of friction mask fine detail and compress dynamics.

The one-piece arm tube reduces mechanical joints — each joint is a potential source of resonance, and each resonance is something the cartridge will read as signal. A one-piece tube eliminates those joints and keeps the arm light, which is itself an engineering goal. A heavier arm stores energy and returns it to the signal path; a lighter arm does not.

The character of the RB220 is one that Rega listeners will recognise across the range: rhythmically direct, tonally honest, and more capable at low-level detail than its price suggests. It will not extract everything from a high-grade cartridge, but it will not frustrate a well-chosen entry-level one either.

Build Quality and Design

The RB220 is hand-assembled at Rega's facility in Southend-on-Sea. Rega is clear that it is a precision product: the bearing tolerances are the result of careful assembly, and many parts of the arm are delicate. Setup — whether fitting the arm to a new turntable or mounting a cartridge — should be approached carefully and methodically.

The arm ships ready for a Rega three-point mount. The three-point mounting geometry sets the pivot-to-spindle distance automatically, removing the need to calculate alignment from scratch. It is well within reach of any listener comfortable working with their turntable, but it rewards patience.

Connectivity and System Matching

The RB220 uses Rega's standard three-point mounting with a 222mm pivot-to-spindle distance. This is the same standard used across the Rega turntable range and adopted by many third-party manufacturers who build their decks to accept Rega arms. Before ordering the RB220 for a non-Rega turntable, confirm the pivot-to-spindle distance and that the three-point hole pattern is compatible — not every turntable described as "Rega-compatible" is straightforward to fit.

Cartridge matching at this level works best with Rega's own moving magnet cartridges: the Nd3 and Nd5 are the natural choices, both designed for Rega arms and aligned at the factory. The Carbon is the right choice for anyone prioritising simplicity at the most accessible entry point.

For a phono stage, the Rega Fono MM MK5 is designed for exactly this level of the range. If an MC cartridge is in the plan, the Rega AOS MC Phono Stage should be considered — though at RB220 level, an MM cartridge is the more logical starting point.

Technical Specifications

Who Is It For?

The RB220 is for the analogue listener starting with a Planar 2, upgrading a compatible third-party turntable, or fitting their first proper standalone Rega arm. It is correctly matched to entry-level Rega cartridges and delivers more than its price implies. Listeners pairing the arm with an Nd7 or above — or those who already have a Planar 3 — should look at the RB330 instead.

Buying from Martin's Hi-Fi

Martin's Hi-Fi has been in Norwich since 1968, and the Rega range has been part of what we do for years. We are still family-run — Elizabeth Gould runs the business today — and we stock only brands we have heard properly and stand behind.

The RB220 is available to order through our Norwich showroom; call ahead and Dave or Chris will confirm compatibility with your turntable and help you choose the right cartridge and phono stage to go with it. When you get in touch, you will be speaking to experienced hi-fi specialists who can talk you through whether the RB220 or a step up in the range is the right fit for your system.

Reach them at dave@martinshifi.co.uk, chris@martinshifi.co.uk, info@martinshifi.co.uk, call on 01603 627010, or WhatsApp Dave or Chris directly on 07554 687137 for a quick answer after your purchase. You can read more about who we are and how we work on our Why Martin's page. We are at 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY, open six days a week.

Contact: info@martinshifi.co.uk | 01603 627010 | WhatsApp: 07554 687137 | 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY