Rega Mercury Preamplifier and Rega Solis Stereo Power Amplifier

Up to now, the English HiFi manufacturer Rega Research Limited has focussed on amplifier systems in the form of typical stereo integrated amplifiers, and can boast a very fine product range in this respect. Now, however, the English company has apparently decided to take a decisive step by combining a preamplifier and power amplifier for the first time.

At the High-end 2024 in Munich, the preamp and power amplifier combination was presented for the first time in the form of the Rega Mercury Preamplifier and Rega Solis Stereo Power Amplifier solutions.

Separate preamplifier and power amplifier make a better whole

As practical as a stereo integrated amplifier can be, and as good as many systems are, many HiFi enthusiasts are still convinced that two separate products make the best whole, i.e. a separate preamplifier and a separate power amplifier.

It is precisely these requirements that Rega Research Limited now apparently wants to fulfil, even though, as already indicated, the company has been offering extremely fine stereo integrated amplifiers for years.

Rega Mercury Preamplifier

The new Rega Mercury Preamplifier is intended to provide a flexible, central interface for modern HiFi chains. According to the manufacturer, this solution not only offers four unbalanced inputs for analogue signals in the form of a pair of RCA sockets and a pair of XLRs for balanced sources, but also a so-called tape loop.

Two coaxial and two optical S/PDIF interfaces are available for digital sources, and the new Rega Mercury Preamplifier also has a USB port.

While analogue signals are output via an unbalanced and balanced output – RCA or XLR – there is also an integrated headphone amplifier. There are also 12 V trigger inputs and outputs for centralised control.

The manufacturer emphasises that the new Rega Mercury Preamplifier has a completely discrete and symmetrical analogue design and relies solely on high-quality components, such as an Alps potentiometer for controlling the volume.

The glass front is adorned with a colour IPS display and, of course, a matching remote control is included. With dimensions of 434 mm in width, 370 mm in depth and 90 mm in height, the preamplifier weighs in at around 13 kg.

Rega Solis Stereo Power Amplifier

According to the manufacturer, the new Rega Solis Stereo Power Amplifier also has a completely discrete and symmetrical design and is capable of delivering 165 watts per channel. In this context, Rega Research Limited particularly emphasises the discretely regulated power supply of the Rega Solis Stereo Power Amplifier, which forms the basis for the amplifier’s performance potential.

Here too, of course, both unbalanced and balanced inputs are available, one RCA and one XLR, and 12 V trigger inputs and outputs ensure centralised control with other components.

To perfectly match the preamplifier just described, the new Rega Solis Stereo Power Amplifier also features an elegant glass front panel.

The new Rega Solis Stereo Power Amplifier measures 434 mm in width, 370 mm in depth and is 140 mm high. This means that this solution weighs in at an impressive 20 kg.

Prices and availability

It will probably be a while before these two systems can actually be found in specialised stores, although guide prices are already being quoted as an initial indication. The Rega Mercury Preamplifier will cost around € 8.000,- and the Rega Solis Stereo Power Amplifier is also expected to cost € 8.000,-.

Getting to the point

After the English HiFi manufacturer Rega Research Limited can already point to a series of fine amplifier systems, all designed as stereo integrated amplifiers, they are now taking on the premier class and, with the Rega Mercury Preamplifier and Rega Solis Stereo Power Amplifier solutions, are for the first time focussing on a classic preamplifier and power amplifier combination. These two new systems from England recently celebrated their premiere at High-end 2024.