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Rega Brio or...?

I have a 3-year old Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (which has an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge) and a set of Tannoy Revolution R3 floor standing speakers (6-Ohm, 89dB). Currently, I am using a cheap Behringer phono amp and a Sonos Connect:Amp. I wish to upgrade to an analogue integrated amp so that I have an analogue signal path. I listen to a variety of different types of music and the room has a vaulted ceiling and has glass at either end. I do not need high volumes for extended periods of time. My budget is under $1,000 including a phono stage. Finally, I’m partial to a British manufacturer to “keep it in the family” so to speak (though I realize that only my speakers are British :) )

I’m leaning towards the Rega Brio (2017 version). I’ve considered the Creek Evolution 50A, but this will break my budget especially when I add a phono amp, unless I can find a used example.

Thanks for any thoughts!
gromitinwa
smrex13
423 posts
 
It's still sounding great - will give a more thorough review in a week or two.  Just a couple of operational/functional notes that prospective buyers may want to be aware of:

1.  The speaker terminals on the back of the amp are very difficult to get to, as they are close together and somewhat recessed.  I don't think that spades would work.  Bananas or bare wire are your best bet.  

2.  The ground lug for the turntable is on the underside of the unit, and it's a fair distance from the RCA jack for the phono input.  If you have a phono cable with an captive ground wire, you may end up with a fair amount of tension on the phono cable/ground wire.

3.  The power cord jack is right next to the speaker binding posts.  My power cable (an Anti-Cable level 3) sits snugly against the binding posts.  If my power cable's connector were any larger, I wouldn't be able to use it.

I guess these are the compromises that have to made to provide a small footprint amp like the Brio.  Will follow up with listening impressions later.


bbarlow690
48 posts
 
I have a Rega DAC.  It died just after the warranty expired.  Paid $1000-plus to have it repaired/upgraded.  Got a year warranty on the work.  15 months later, one channel died.  It's now in storage.

I shall never set foot near a Rega anything again.
smrex13
423 posts
 
Just thought I'd update you all on my experience with the Rega Brio.  I'm running it with Wharfedale Reva 2 speakers, a VPI Traveler turntable and a Marantz SA 8004 SACD player.  

The Brio has been very impressive - it just pulls you in to the music.  After a few days powered up it smoothed out quite a bit, and I have absolutely no complaints.  The highs are very natural and non-fatiguing, which is something that is difficult to find at this price level.  Midrange has nice weight to instruments.  As my speakers are stand mounts, I can't say how it does really deep bass.  However, the bass that I get from my speakers is very full without being boomy.  The overall sound is very cohesive.

The phono stage is much like the amp itself - relaxed, musical, engaging.  One thing I wasn't expecting was the quality of the headphone amp.  I don't listen to headphones too much, but I might start.  It's very dynamic and clear with my Sennheiser 600s.  

For $1000 I can't think of anything that compares.  You could have an awfully engaging all-Rega system with a RP3, Brio, and RX1 speakers for about 3k.  

Anyway, I was reluctant to try it because of the complaints of hum issues, but mine is silent and makes great music.

Best, Scott


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