Rega Brio-R Amplifier
The body of Brio-R amplifier consists of two massive metal sidewalls (they also serve as cooling radiators), which are connected by a lower and upper plates - this forms a rather monumental design, well protected from vibrations. Judging by the texture, the front wall is although made of plastic, but has a neat appearance and a fashionable mirror-black finish.
On the rear panel there are five inputs, one output to the recorder and standard universal acoustic terminals. By the way, one of the inputs is intended for a vinyl player and is connected to an RIAA-corrector, the characteristics of which are optimal for MM-type heads. The "earth" terminal required in such cases is transferred to the bottom of the amplifier.
The founder of Rega and at the same time its permanent chief engineer Roy Gandy does not favor complicated and expensive circuitry solutions. He prefers to improve the equipment not quantitatively, but qualitatively, therefore the Brio-R uses well-developed circuitry. After preliminary amplification, the signal goes to the low-impedance driver operating in A Class, and then - to the composite Sanken transistors, which the optimum temperature regime is ensured for. Condensers in the path are film. The input switch is implemented on electromechanical relays. The power supply consists of a toroidal transformer.
The manufacturer recommends using 8-ohm loudspeakers with Brio-R, but a 4-ohm load is permissible if conditions for normal heat dissipation are provided.
The Rega Brio-R amplifier sounds both strongly and decently, without losing any important musical details. This is one of the best devices by absolute dynamics, although it does not have a particularly explosive nature, but it captivates with specifics and clarity. The tonal balance is even, without any obvious tint. The bottom is slightly weakened, but differs by the filigree elaboration of all bass lines. Tops are accurate, clear; transistor aggression is almost not caught, although a hint is present. In the average register Brio-R generally sounds more like a tube amplifier - gently, richly, with a harmonious tonal pattern. This amplifier clearly belongs to those devices, in which you do not want to touch the volume knob at all. Once I found one position, and that's all you should only press Play to immerse in musical nirvana.
