 |
|
Description:
|
More Products from Rega >> |
4.57 of 5
Reviewed by: stereoguy (Audio Enthusiast)
Review Date June 23, 2009
Overall Rating 
4 of 5
Value Rating 
3 of 5
This review is the new version of Rega Elicit integrated amplifier with optional MM or MC phono stage that came out recently. Since I consider myself to be music lover first and equipment nut second, this integrated amplifier suits my needs well.
It is thoroughly competent and eminently practical. I’ve given over to the inconvenience and discomfort of tubes and class A solid state on several occaisions over the years (Pass labs, conrad johnson, audio research). Yes they sound great but in some ways are a pain to use and own. Good tubes can be finicky and cost alot, class A amps use gobs of electricity, and both types of amp generate copious amounts of heat. Sometimes I would be sweating during a listening session. I might find myself being subservient to music at times, but I am no longer willing to be subservient to equipment.
Nowadays I just want to listen to music without bother. I had used the Rega Mira as a possible solution to all this. If that amp had been just a little better I would have kept it and soldiered on. Well the Rega Elicit is more than a little better than a Mira. I wanted a good integrated with a built in phono stage for my turntable- the Rega Elicit is that amp. Though I do feel the US retail price of the Elicit is prohibitively high. I got a good deal on mine and Rega had a phono stage included free introductory promo going on when I got it (phono is normally an extra charge).
The Elicit has a very appealing look to it plus it feels solid, hefty and well made when you pick it up. The power supply transformer is the core of any amp, it seems Rega has given that fact ample consideration. The sound it gives is assured and involving across the board. You don’t get the boundless sense of reserve higher powered amps can have. At the upper edge of its loudness capability there is a change in tonality which does not become offensive. The sound goes from being more laid back to a little more foward. In this manner it reminded me of my CJ tube amp and Sugden class A amp- it will remain composed if used within reason. Tonally The amp falls somewhere between the Rega Mira3 and Sugden A21 I have owned. The Elicit has a stronger than typical bias into class A but not enough to run very hot. The result is a subtle sweetness and refinement which the Mira lacks. The Elicit is more clear and detaled than the Sugden A21a but I wouldn’t call it hyper detailed. The soundstage is good, treble is smooth, bass is propulsive. What Hi-fi kept calling this amp “musical” as if it’s some kind of crime. After awhile I’ve learned that components that impress immediately rarely stand the test of time.
Folks this is about as good as British class A/B integrated amps get. I can speak of it as being well suited as the heart of the Rega system I now own. It did not work as well in a piecemeal situation. I’d suggest that people who listen to this amp at least consider to try it with Rega speakers. To sum up The Elicit is a clean and musical sounding amp that also happens to be utilitarian. I am very happy to own it.
More product reviews of Rega Gear.
| The top 10 reviewed products from Rega. |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
5 of 5
Leave a Reply