Name: Atlas MK2
Brand: Rega
Price: 289.0 EUR
Availability: BackOrder

Overview

Rega has been manufacturing tonearms since 1983. After repeatedly using third-party stylus force gauges in its own production workshops, the Southend-on-Sea brand eventually found them unreliable and too fragile. Atlas, born from this frustration, is the tool Rega initially designed for its own needs. This second version expands the measurement range from 3 to 10 grams and improves sensor stability.

An industrial-grade sensor in a compact housing

At the heart of the Atlas MK2 is a full-bridge load cell of the shear beam type. This type of sensor, more expensive than the piezoelectric sensors used in entry-level scales, offers better linearity across the entire measurement range. The stated accuracy is ± 0.01 gram, with a useful range of 0.5 to 10 grams and an allowable overload of 20 grams.

The sensor includes thermal compensation. In practical terms, variations in ambient temperature change the resistance of the strain gauges and can distort the measurement. The Atlas circuit automatically corrects these drifts, ensuring consistent results regardless of the season or the temperature of the listening room. A dedicated amplification circuit processes the signal before display.

Turntable with digital tracking force gauge on the platter and tonearm viewed from above

Why the MK2’s extended range matters

The original Atlas went up to 3 grams. That is sufficient for most common MM cartridges, whose tracking force is between 1.5 and 2.5 grams. But some high-end MC cartridges, and a few vintage models, require higher tracking forces: 3, even 4 grams and beyond. With a range extended to 10 grams, the MK2 covers almost all cartridges on the market, including the most atypical models.

The sensor’s stability and sensitivity have also been reworked compared with the first version. Rega does not detail the exact nature of the changes made to the circuit, but the stated goal is clear: more stable and more repeatable measurements over time.

Ergonomics designed for repeatability

The Atlas MK2’s design prioritizes measurement consistency. The aluminum front protection, which also serves as an alignment guide, rests against the edge of the turntable platter. The stylus tip lands in the same spot on the receiver every time. It is this mechanical repeatability that makes adjustments to one hundredth of a gram genuinely usable: an accurate measurement only makes sense if it is repeatable.

The instructions are simple. Remove the platter mat, set the anti-skating to zero, place the Atlas on the platter, and align the curved edge of the front protection with the edge of the platter. Turn on the device, reset the display to zero, then lower the tonearm. After about three seconds of stabilization, the tracking force appears on the screen. The device goes into standby after 45 seconds of inactivity, and reactivates with a press of the top button.

FAQ

Does the Atlas MK2 work with all turntables? Yes. It sits directly on the platter, regardless of the turntable or tonearm manufacturer. The curved front protection fits the edge of most standard circular platters. It works with both MM and MC cartridges, as long as the tracking force remains within the 0.5 to 10 gram range.

Does the Atlas MK2 need to be recalibrated before each use? You only need to reset the display to zero (tare) once the device is in position on the platter. The Atlas MK2 does not require calibration with a reference weight: the load cell retains its factory calibration over time.

Can the Atlas MK2 be used with the platter mat in place? No. Rega recommends removing the mat (felt, cork, or other) before placing the Atlas on the bare platter. The mat would alter the measurement height and could introduce instability.

Why does tracking force affect sound quality? Tracking force that is too low causes poor groove tracking: distortion, skipping, premature record wear. Force that is too high presses the stylus too hard into the groove, which accelerates wear on the tip and the vinyl, and compresses dynamics. Precise adjustment, down to one hundredth of a gram, makes it possible to find the point where groove tracking, trackability, and record preservation are at their best.

Does the Atlas MK2 display the measurement only in grams? Yes, the display is in grams, with two decimal places. This is the standard unit used by cartridge manufacturers to indicate the recommended tracking force.