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Rega io Amplifier – New stereo integrated amplifier at a particularly attractive price

Excellent sound at an unbeatable price, this is what the new stereo integrated amplifier from the English hi-fi manufacturer Rega Research Limited is supposed to offer. The new Rega io Amplifier, which is currently being presented and will be launched shortly, is the latest addition to the range. This is designed as the little brother of the Rega Brio.


The English hi-fi manufacturer Rega Research Limited is now expanding its range of amplifiers with a particularly exciting solution: a stereo integrated amplifier that offers very flexible features, high-quality components and yet a particularly attractive price: the new Rega io Amplifier.

The Rega io Amplifier is designed as the smaller brother of the Rega Brio Integrated Amplifier, thus extending the product range of the English hi-fi manufacturer Rega Reearch Limited downwards. Although it is offered at a particularly attractive price, the Rega io Amplifier is nevertheless based on many of the features of the Rega Brio Integrated Amplifier, first and foremost on its power amplifier, but also on the same phono preamplifier.

The intention of the developers was to create a solution with the new Rega io Amplifier that is easy to handle and can be integrated into any hi-fi system without any problems. This is, of course, primarily due to the compact dimensions of the new Rega io Amplifier, which therefore measures no more than 180 mm in width, 68 mm in height and 290 mm in depth. For the sake of completeness, it weighs no more than 2.9 kg.

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The Rega io Amplifier is presented in a solidly crafted case, which is completely black and corresponds to the current design line of electronic components from Rega Research Limited. The front is equipped with a few controls, such as a rotary encoder for volume control, an input selection button with status LEDs and, of course, a main switch. In addition, a connection for headphones is available in the form of a 3.5 mm stereo mini jack socket. The manufacturer expressly points out that it should be a high-quality headphone amplifier, which also provides very good results in combination with correspondingly more sophisticated headphone models.

The new Rega io amplifier has two high-level inputs and, as we have already mentioned, an integrated phono preamplifier. This phono preamplifier is designed for MM pick-up systems and has an input sensitivity of 2.1 mV at 47 kOhm and 220 pF, making it ideal for a wide range of pick-up systems.

The output stage of the new Rega io amplifier is based on Class A/B and the same genes as all other amplifiers from Rega Research Limited. This is intended to guarantee the same high quality and well-known sound characteristics, according to the promise of the English. The new Rega io Amplifier therefore also features a discrete design with high-quality components, such as Sanken output transistors, a powerful power supply unit to supply energy, and last but not least, an Alps potentiometer for accurate volume control. The Rega io Amplifier delivers a power output of twice 30 Watts to loudspeaker systems with an impedance of 8 Ohms. This is quite sufficient to create a fine hi-fi system around the Rega io Amplifier, which, in combination with compact, high-efficiency loudspeaker systems, delivers fine, convincing sound.

Another new feature is the remote control, which comes with the Rega io Amplifier. This is a system remote control which can also be used for other components made by Rega Research Limited and is designed to fit particularly well in the hand.

The new Rega io Amplifier was presented for the first time by Rega Research Limited in March, with the manufacturer anticipating delivery in May 2020. This forecast was probably too optimistic, as it has now been announced that this solution is not expected before September 2020. As already described, the price is a special feature, as the aim is to offer convincing sound at an unbeatable price, although production is still exclusively in England. The recommended retail price of € 499 for the new Rega io amplifier is therefore truly remarkable!

Getting to the point

The Rega io Amplifier is designed as the smaller brother of the Rega Brio Integrated Amplifier, thus extending the product range of the English hi-fi manufacturer Rega Reearch Limited downwards. Although it is offered at a particularly attractive price, the Rega io Amplifier is based on many of the features of the Rega Brio Integrated Amplifier, particularly its power amplifier, but also on the same phono preamplifier.

Manufacturer:Rega Research Limited
Distribution:Audiovertrieb by HZ Electronics
Price:€ 499,-
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Michael Holzinger

Michael Holzinger, founder and editor-in-chief of HiFi BLOG and sempre-audio.at, has been working for years as a journalist in the fields of IT, photography, telecommunications and consumer electronics.

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