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Rega Elex-R AmplifierThis amplifier has filled a gap in the line of stereo integrated Rega amplifiers formed between compact democratic Brio-R and more advanced Elicit-R. We will try to find out to which of these devices a new entry is closer in spirit. Outwardly Elex-R, of course, looks more like an older brother. Its body is made in the same standard 43 cm format with a height of 8 cm and has a similar chassis design. A small external difference is the lack of button panel of source's choice for record outputs and also for the activation of direct mode. This indicates some functional simplifications in comparison with Elicit-R and equates it to Brio-R with its linear path, simple selector on five sources and traditional potentiometer of volume control. However, it isn't a clone of the younger model in the spacious case. First, in Elex-R a phono amplifier plate is the same as in older one. Secondly, the device significantly outstrips Brio-R in power and, for the most important part, has output cascades, emulating an operating mode in A class. This is the original (and, one might say, even secret) feature of all mentioned amplifiers. Elex-R wins over by rare ability to build a vivid, almost tangible sound stage even at low volume level. And it seems to have better results than its fellows. Brio-R is a little greedy on the air, on the scale. The contours of the apparent sourced are slightly blurred. The older brother has a delightful in all aspects stage, but it starts to lose in realism as soon as you change the usual, normal volume level to the lower point. Besides that Elex-R is able to give visible stereo picture, I would also mention high and harmonic resolution in this amplifier. Few can dig down and drag up the most subtle tonal tints. They give the sound naturalism, frankness and musical expressiveness, which sometimes has nothing in common with banal beauty of sound. Elex-R wins over by this property even while listening to soundtracks of not brilliant audiophile quality. But future user should bear in mind two things. The amplifier is not inclined to mask the dirt and if it is in a record, it most likely will even emphasize it. You should approach to choice of acoustics responsibly too. Speaking about dynamics, the character of Elixit-R is not violent but still straight-rough. Therefore for heavy acoustics, requiring high power, it will be better to choose something light, delicate, with classic pulp drivers and silk tweeters - even at the expense of playing range. Then we can talk about a good bass control without droning loops, and about subtle detailing in the upper range, and about honest detailed middle, which Elex-R will be able to discover no worse than any amplifier, working in A class. Traditionally for Rega, the device is assembled on a stamped chassis made of steel sheet with thick of 2,5 mm. Top cover is the same. Heatsinks of output transistors are mounted on the side walls of the body. A pair of 160W complementary Darlington STD03N/STD03P with built-in diodes operates in each channel. The company doesn't principally set powerful transistors in parallel in order to get more accurate, detailed sound. And the whole signal path is extremely laconic. Energetic indicators are provided with a solid, 800 watt, toroid transformer, 6-ampere diodes and capacitors of the filter Samhwa 10000 uf x 50 V. There is also a low voltage source for power of the control schemes. Interstage capacitors are film WIMA, the input commutation is organized on the qualitative relay. |