- The new Rega Elex MK4 Integrated Amplifier is designed as a solution to meet the highest demands, according to Rega Research Limited.
The new Rega Elex MK4 Integrated Amplifier has been developed to guarantee the best possible musical performance, according to the description of the English hi-fi company Rega Research Limited about their latest offspring. The new stereo integrated amplifier is presented in a newly designed housing that now corresponds to the current design language of the English company, is said to have sufficient performance, and is also characterised by the fact that it no longer only offers an integrated phono preamplifier and an integrated headphone amplifier, but also an integrated D/A converter.
Rega Elex MK4 Integrated Amplifier – Proven Class A/B Design
The new Rega Elex MK4 Integrated Amplifier is not being promoted by Rega Research Limited as a revolutionary new product, but rather the company is emphasising that it is once again relying on its tried and tested Class A/B design. This means that the Rega Elex MK4 Integrated Amplifier is capable of effortlessly controlling a wide range of loudspeaker systems, providing two 72-watt outputs to loudspeaker systems with an impedance of 8 ohms, or two 90-watt outputs at 6 ohms.
Special attention was paid to the selection of the most important audio components. Discrete circuitry, high-quality relays, polypropylene capacitors and Sanken output transistors are used throughout the design, the English promise.
Numerous connection options for analogue sources
A particularly striking feature of the new Rega Elex MK4 Integrated Amplifier is that it offers numerous connection options. On the rear panel, for example, there are RCA connectors next to RCA connectors, and no fewer than five inputs are available for analogue sources, one of which functions as a phono preamplifier.
However, this phono preamplifier is reserved for turntables equipped with MM cartridge systems, but it is supposed to be a particularly fine solution. No wonder, after all, Rega Research Limited is a proven specialist in this field.
There is also a Record Out and a Pre-Amp Out, which are also designed as a pair of RCA sockets, and there is a headphone connection directly on the front.
Integrated D/A converter
Once again, it must be emphasised that the new Rega Elex MK4 Integrated Amplifier comes with an integrated D/A converter. Although this only offers a coaxial and optical S/PDIF interface, the signal processing circuitry is similar to that of the Rega DAC-R. The galvanic and optical isolation of the DACs is the same as that of the Rega Elex MK4.
The galvanically and optically isolated digital inputs use a DAC from Wolfson Microeletronics, which is supposed to provide an exceptionally detailed and clear reproduction of all connected sources with up to 24 bits and 192 kHz. The output stage is realised in the form of a discrete line driver circuit, whereby it is explicitly stated that the now implemented converter does not negatively influence the analogue circuits in any way.
New housing
To do justice to the current design line of the English company, Rega Research Limited uses a newly developed housing for the Rega Elex MK4 Integrated Amplifier, which, however, is designed in a proven and extremely solid manner and effectively protects the circuits from sound-damaging external influences.
The front panel is simple and tidy, as you would expect from the English company, and offers everything you need for comfortable operation. In addition, the Rega Elex MK4 Integrated Amplifier comes with a matching remote control.
The Rega Elex MK4 Integrated Amplifier measures 432 x 82 x 340 mm and weighs 11 kg.
Prices and availability
The new stereo integrated amplifier should be available in specialist shops shortly. The recommended retail price is € 1.499,-.
Getting to the point
The new Rega Elex MK4 Integrated Amplifier is a versatile stereo integrated amplifier from Rega Research Limited that not only has numerous analogue inputs, including a phono preamplifier, but also an integrated D/A converter. This opens up this solution to streaming clients and serves as a flexible central interface for a high-quality hi-fi chain.
| PRODUCT | REGA ELEX MK4 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER |
|---|---|
| Price | GBP 1.199,- |
| Brand | REGA |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Rega Research Limited |
| Distribution Austria | Audiovertrieb by HZ Electronics |
| Distribution Germany | TAD-Audiovertrieb GmbH |
| More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG |
