Rega Nd9 MM Cartridge

Introduction

With the recent arrival of the AVID Ingenium SE turntable, my GYRO SE has come under pressure to perform at a similar level.  With the introduction of the AVID Pellar II phono stage, the GYRO SE finally had the chance to compete with the AVID on a level playing field, and the Rega Reference ND9 moving-magnet cartridge had the platform to show off its colours in a fair analogue shootout.

Whatever happens, analogue always wins, as does the listener.

Design

The Rega Nd9 cartridge uses a moving-magnet design with an advanced, monocrystalline man-made diamond cut into a razor-sharp “fine-line” nude profile. This design uses an exceptionally narrow contact radius—measuring just 3µm horizontally and 30µm vertically—which allows the stylus to trace the deepest sections of the record groove with precision. It differs from other types, including conical, elliptical, and shank. The Nd9 uses a nude diamond mount, meaning the entire stylus is carved out of a single piece of solid, pure diamond.

Some “bonded” styli use just a tiny diamond tip glued to a heavy metal shank, which adds mass and dampens the signal. By mounting a pure, nude diamond directly onto the Nd9’s stiff boron cantilever rod, the total moving mass is kept incredibly low, allowing the needle to track rapid high-frequency changes instantly.

The Nd in the name refers to a Neodymium N55 magnet, driven by miniaturised parallel coils wound in-house using 38-micron wire with 1275 turns.

The Nd9 sits at the top of Rega’s moving-magnet range, which has been updated recently and includes the Nd3, Nd5, and Nd7.  The Nd9 cartridge will be offered as a factory-fitted option on the multi-award-winning Planar 8 turntable model.

Quality

The cartridge design looks like a work of art, with increased spacing between the terminal pins for easier fitting.  The side panels of the polyphenylene sulphide body (PPS) are see-through so you can see the magnet and the movement.

The recyclable packaging is a nice touch, as is Rega’s offer of a rebuild if you wear out or damage your stylus.

Specification and Price

Performance

Review Equipment

I have an older refitted Michell GYRO SE with the recently installed Rega Nd9 MM cartridge on a Rega RB303 tonearm.  It is in the HF&MS Reference System, featuring Moor Amps power.

With the recent arrival of the Ingenium SE, the GYRO SE has been shaded a degree or two; however, the introduction of the Pellar II phono stage has breathed new life into the GYRO SE setup in the same way the Nd9 has uplifted the output over the EXACT cartridge it has replaced. The Pellar II is a perfectly engineered phono stage (featured here) to accept MM and MC cartridges with minimal fuss.

I’m currently running the Reference system with all digital sources OFF! Analogue old school.

Physically

A Rega colleague set up the Nd9 for me; it took him about 10 minutes.  I have exactly 1.75g of tracking force. The cartridge benefits from the Rega 3-point mounting option on the RB303 tonearm (it can also be used on a standard 2-point half-inch mount for non-Rega tonearms). The Nd9 has replaced a Rega Exact cartridge; see above.

Nd9 with FONO MM

The Nd9 is clearly a step up from the Exact cartridge it replaced; that’s no surprise. The energy step-up is compelling, even with the FONO MM.

The music feels more precise and cleaner. This translates, for me, into sharper guitar edges and faster presentation, for example on Mick Ronson’s work in Bowie’s Changes on Hunky Dory (Phonograph, 1971).

Because the cartridge has a thin protrusion on the body, it is much easier to line up, and I appreciate this as a cack-handed record liner-upper!

Nd9 with Pellar II

The Pellar II offers a further upgrade in this turntable/cartridge setup.  Indeed, the true value of the Nd9 is revealed in the uptick in energy (not gain) and resolution it delivers.  It all sounds next level, with the GYRO SE finally fulfilling its potential. The response is immediately felt, with Hunky Dory sounding as fresh as it did in 1971. It is a lighter, more spacious, immediate sound that is a joy.  The Nd9 clearly offers midrange clarity and space. For example, Quicksand at the end of side one is a multi-layered guitar piece that can get a bit dense in the middle of the track, but the combination of the Nd9 and the Pellar II reveals the individual guitar strums nicely. The introduction is so tender on this cartridge.

The studio chatter and ambience are clear in Andy Warhol, and the acoustic guitar is crisp and easy to follow. The Nd9 really does show its colours with this fabulous classic album.

As the albums stack up, this engaging cartridge offers more detail, with Arooj Aftab’s Vulture Prince revealing as much as I have ever heard on this system.  As an upgrade, at this price, this moving-magnet choice feels as good as it gets.

What Three Words

Engaging – Spacious – Resolving

Overall

The combination of the Rega Nd9 moving magnet cartridge and AVID Pellar II phono stage has breathed vibrant new life into the reference Michell GYRO SE, proving that analogue vinyl playback still holds an absolute grip on pure musicality.

Replacing the trusted Exact, the Nd9 introduces a compelling step-up in energy, speed, and leading-edge precision. Crucially, while the Nd9 shines on its own, adding the Pellar II truly unlocks its full resolving capability. The resulting presentation is wonderfully open, airy, and transparent. Dense acoustic layers—such as the complex guitar work on Bowie’s Hunky Dory or the delicate atmospheric textures of Arooj Aftab’s Vulture Prince—are untangled with effortless natural space and midrange clarity.

For any vinyl enthusiast seeking high-end resolution, rhythmic drive, and outstanding value, this Rega Nd9 represents as good an MM upgrade as it gets.

Love 

• Precise
• Warmth
• Lining up the stylus

Like 

• Faultless
• Having the cartridge fitted for me

Wish

• I NEED a new phono stage