Rega IO, Brio, & Elex-R Review and Comparison
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Rega produces a complete line of integrated stereo amplifiers that cover a very wide range of prices. These amps are a lot like their turntables with their simple, no-frills design, that focuses on great sound over gimmickry. With the recent introduction of their io model, Rega hit a price level way under $1000, bringing that classic Rega sound to a much larger group of music lovers. We thought it would be fun to take a look at the new io and offer up some comparisons between the io, the Brio, and the Elex-R.
The Rega IO integrated is a great example of trickle down technology. When Rega redid the Brio integrated amp in 2017, they learned a lot about circuit isolation, chassis design, and how to make a good headphone amp even better. The Brio has won a whole host of awards for its great sound for the money. You can really view the Rega IO as simply a lower powered Brio. Rega wanted to take all the great things about the new Brio and make a unit that sounded very similar with less power for customers who might not need the extra power in the Brio. The IO is rated at a very conservative 30 watts per channel and has the exact same type of amplifier circuit the Brio does. Rega paid very careful attention to the parts selection for the IO to get the very best bang for the buck. The IO has two line-level inputs and a moving magnet phono input. The custom designed phono preamp is the exact same circuitry found in the Brio, which is pretty darn impressive!
To our ears, on speakers that are not very demanding, the IO actually sounds a little sweeter than the Brio - although the Brio certainly wins out on dynamics and separation of instruments. But at $400 less than the Brio, the IO will let you take that money and put it towards purchasing a great set of speakers. Rega products are known for being true to the rhythm and pacing of the music, totally fun to listen to, and having the ability to portray dynamic contrasts really well. The IO captures all of these characteristics at a price point we have not seen before from Rega.
If you are thinking about the Brio over the io, you basically get an amp with a lot more horsepower! In addition to the extra power, the Brio gives you two more analog audio inputs and a tape output for those of you getting back into the retro world of cassette or reel to reel. The phono preamp sections are identical, so the big difference to us is in the power supply and power amplifier section. The Brio has a much more massive power supply. What this much bigger amp and power supply translates into from a listening perspective are much better dynamics and control. If you plan to stick with an easy to drive, small pair of speakers in a modestly sized space, the IO is a great deal. However, the Brio can drive far more demanding speakers with ease. For those of you who love listening to music and improving your system, it will take a much longer time to outgrow the Brio, if ever.
The Elex-R is the next step up in Rega’s line of integrated amps and the top model in this comparison. Feature wise, the Elex-R is similar to the Brio with a built in moving magnet phono preamp, 4 other analog inputs, a record out, and it adds a preamp out. The preamp out would come in very handy for mating up a subwoofer to the system, a feature lacking on the Brio and IO. You’ll find an even more massive power supply inside the Elex-R which makes it weigh in at more than double the weight of the Brio at 24 pounds. The Elex-R is rated at 72.5 watts per channel, but it sounds far more powerful than this rating. With the nonstandard number of 72.5 watts per channel, you can tell Rega told the design team to make the best sounding amp they knew how to make for the price point, then whatever the power rating came out to is what it is. That is pretty cool!
Getting the best sound for your money comes down to remembering your system is only as good as your weakest link. When deciding on the best integrated amp, you have to think about the other parts of your musical chain, like your speakers and source components. And, along with that process, consider where you want to be in ten years’ time with your system. If you have speakers and a front end that you love, get the best integrated amp that you can afford. However, if you have a fixed budget and are just starting out, the IO is just so amazing for its price point, you’ll probably love it for years to come.
Пікірлер: 117
The Brio is amazing. I bought one last summer and love it. BTW, I personally prefer the look of the Brio over the Io...just my opinion. The Io looks like a great deal though.
@nikhilsrl
2 жыл бұрын
Do you know if it works with a streamer or do you need a DAC?
@Gmoneybaby
2 жыл бұрын
Can I connect this to my computer?
@nikhilsrl
2 жыл бұрын
@@Gmoneybaby I guess you can if your computer has an analog output or through an external DAC. I haven't tried it though.
@Gmoneybaby
2 жыл бұрын
@@nikhilsrl thanks
@nikhilsrl
2 жыл бұрын
@@Gmoneybaby no worries. If you try, let me know how it goes.
I bought a elex-r, it drives my 4 ohm floorstanders beautifully! Great amp 👍
Excellent review. Thanks for the content!
Even through online translation is very interesting! Thanks! I make a choice in room 17m between Brio, Elex R and Roksan K3, very interesting video!
Got the Brio today, great sound, goes great with P3/Elys 2/Neo, loving my vinyl again
@SuperReyand
3 жыл бұрын
WHich speakers do you have?
@PortogasDAce1
2 жыл бұрын
@@SuperReyand super late to the party but I'm running a Brip with a P3 Elys and the rega kytes for a full rega set up and it sounds incredible
a great review.. top man!
Just recently got IO. Brilliant amplifier. Using this with small Neat Iota and larger Rega speakers. Sounds fantastic with both.
@AudioAdvice
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing. That IO is one of the best sounding integrated amps out there for the money.
Love Elex-R
I absolutely love my Brio. I have it paired with a Rega P3, Exact 2 cartridge, and Dali Oberon 3 speakers. I noticed a dramatic difference in performance of my Brio when I added an outboard phono stage and only use the Brio as a power amp (but the Brio phono stage is a great start).
@ynnadk9859
3 жыл бұрын
I'm curious how the Brio's phono stage stacks up against something like the Schiit Mani.
@fsflip3111
2 жыл бұрын
did you use the rega fono preamp?
@melchior-chr.v.brincken8006
Жыл бұрын
@@ynnadk9859 The Schiit Mani supports Moving Coil. That is another level. A properly done Step Up Transformer (SUT) was sounding more fluid on my THE FISHER 800C tube amp. Now I am listening to music with a Rega IO while my 800c is in service. Do not find the SUT at the moment, so no vinyl at the moment.
Just bought my Brio and the Rega P3 with Elys 2 and Oberon 5 floor standing speakers, absolutely love the system and has fired me up again into vinyl. Will get an Exact cartridge later on.
@AudioAdvice
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing, it sounds like you have a great system. Have fun on the vinyl adventure.
Never heard of this British brand; can’t wait to give it a try!
@alangeorgebarstow
3 жыл бұрын
It's only been around, worldwide, for 43 years. There are few brands better.
@xetexuk12
3 жыл бұрын
lol
@theautumnalcyclist7629
3 жыл бұрын
@@alangeorgebarstow actually 48yrs this year as I was born the same year, there's always an 11 as well 🤣
Tested both the Io and the Brio, assuming I would be buying the Brio. Brio's sound staging, clarity and dynamics are a bit better than the Io, but there is not an overwhelming difference. Both have an 'analogue' quality - not overly clinical. The Io has an engaging, slightly sweetened sound which I went for as I like that kind of delivery. The Io drives my Wharfedale Denton 80th anniversary speakers with no power problems at all, and they are not walkovers in that respect. In fact, the IO performed better in this respect than the 100wpc Yamaha amp which it replaced. I'd assume it would work well with speakers far outside its price band. I'm very happy with the Io - until I can make a really significant upgrade.
@theautumnalcyclist7629
3 жыл бұрын
I completely concur about the IO it's a wonderful piece of kit. When I renewed my turntable I tested both the IO and Brio on a pair of Q Acoustic Concept 40's and was stunned by the sound emitted from the little io, I would say to anyone ignore the labeled 30W and just give it a run also the build quality is the other cherry on top. Rega have made a fantastic little amp here which in years to come will be a little bit legendary and sort after.
@bareknuckles2u
3 жыл бұрын
@Michael Goron...Nice pairing. What a sweet system!
@bluerev
3 жыл бұрын
Hello Michael, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this amp! Incidentally, have you experienced any humming coming out of your IO? I'm asking because it seems like a widespread issue with the Brio.
@nikhilsrl
2 жыл бұрын
@@theautumnalcyclist7629 Do you think it can power something like an Elac Debut Reference?
ive got an elexr paired up with some magnapan point 7s and it sounds fantastic. I basically only use it for records and I bought it because of not only the way it sounded but because it had one of the best built-in phono stages I've ever heard.
@AudioAdvice
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing. Rega does make awesome integrated amps and they are a great match for Maggies.
I have Rega Brio paired with B&W 606 S2 AE ..it sounds fantastic
@AudioAdvice
2 жыл бұрын
That is a nice combo, thanks for sharing!
I've had a Brio since the early ninities. I see no reason to change it yet.
What about IO paired to a pair of Wharfedale diamond 12.3? These speakers do not seem power hungry, 89dB and 8ohm... Would it be fine? What about low volume (apartment) listening?
@AudioAdvice
2 жыл бұрын
Yes. You should be good there. Thanks for watching
Universal voltage?
Many thanks
@AudioAdvice
2 жыл бұрын
You are welcome
Could you give me your insights about pairing Rega Elex-R with monitor audio speakers, specifically the Monitor Audio Silver 6? Thanks
@AudioAdvice
2 жыл бұрын
That would be a great pairing! The Brio is actually beefy enough to drive them in a small to medium room, but the Elex-R would sound much better. Thanks for watching
Bought the IO and returned it for the Brio due to the cheap remote. Both sound great but the Brio is a huge step up in build quality.
@will2181
3 жыл бұрын
I think the io has a fantastic remote. I actually like the design of the remote better than the Brio’s remote. To each their own
@ReValveiT_01
3 жыл бұрын
Whut!? The IO has a FAR better remote.
@PMS1950
2 жыл бұрын
I'm suprised. I thought that the IO's remote was rather neat and reasonably robust.
Nice review. Wanted a quick suggestion. I'm getting rega io system one for $1750 and rega brio with Planar 1 for $1250. Which one should I go for. ? And if For the second option then what set of bookshelf speakers would serve better ?
@AudioAdvice
11 ай бұрын
Thanks, please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com to discuss you needs in more detail. Thanks for watching
excellent comparison, dear, I would like to know which of these three models match my dali oberon 5, regards
@AudioAdvice
Жыл бұрын
Thank you. Please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com to discuss which is best for your system and room.
How do you fined the Elex R as I have a IO with a 2022 Rega P6 and Focal Aria 906 speakers and I’m looking at upgrading to the Elex R
@AudioAdvice
2 жыл бұрын
If you like the IO you will feel like the Elex R is similar with more power and control over your Focals. It should make them feel like the bass reaches deeper and you'll get better separation, but the IO is one heck of a great little amp! Thanks for watching
@anthonydaley278
2 жыл бұрын
I do and thanks for coming back to me. I really like the IO but I’d just like a bit more power , and you’ve understood what I meant by moving to the Elex R to get deeper bass and control, not just more volume. so you agree by going for the Elex R and not the Brio is the way to go. Think I need to go test one with the Focals. But I’m already thinking and budgeting for Elex R ……..
I'm looking at the IO for a set of B&W 685v2, I would love to know if this would work?
@AudioAdvice
2 жыл бұрын
Yes, in most small to medium sized rooms it will drive them great. Thanks for watching
Hello, I am planning to buy Rega speed stereo anti Rega MK5, Rega Elicit-R, Rega ELEX MK4, Rega Elex-R. I couldn't choose between these amplifiers. Which one gives better quality sound, which one should I buy? Also, I would be very happy if you could recommend speakers for rega amplifiers. I am also very curious about whether they will give a nice sound if I connect Kefq950 speakers and Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2 speakers to rega amplifiers. Finally how can I connect the subwoofer to rega amplifiers? I'm curious about this, I would be very happy if you could enlighten me on this issue.
@AudioAdvice
9 ай бұрын
Those are all great questions. Please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com to go over them. Thanks for watching
great review! wonder if anyone has compared the Rega Elex R to the Cambridge CXA81. listen to mostly classical music and jazz. would love an honest, dynamic integrated amp with a beautiful soundstage...
@Audiorevue
3 жыл бұрын
I haven't really heard the latest CXA 81 from Cambridge Audio however I have heard it's predecessor the CXa80,And of course I currently have a elex r. So I have course can give you my two cents. For my money it's the rega hands down , for me it's the naturalNess of music that it portrays versus the Cambridge. Granted the Cambridge does have a bit better clarity and better soundstaging but listening to music through the elex r is more natural and more lifelike. A good analogy would be the Cambridge makes music sound like a very good reproduction of whatever you're listening to whereas the rega makes it sound like you're listening to real live instruments being played. Plus there were times with the Cambridge Audio that I felt the music didn't really grab me emotionally, it made me feel disconnected from what I was listening to. Where the rega continuously makes you feel the music and also makes listening so much fun.
@themastroiannis
3 жыл бұрын
@@Audiorevue Hey! thanks for your reply! The Elex R sounds like an awesome integrated. I ended buying a Cambridge CXA61 and an Audiolab 6000A at the same time and ended returning the Cambridge. It had a beautiful soundstage... huge!! but it was a bit bright, a bit too lively on the top. I feel the Audiolab is more honest and it still has a very nice soundstage (not as big) but amazing headroom and great clarity. Audiolab is also very dynamic and has a nice fast bass. I think I will stay with the Audiolab for at least a couple years. Very happy with the overall sound and it feels really well made! Thanks again!
@mrpositronia
3 жыл бұрын
I'd hedge my best on the Elex R having a better sound, overall. Considering it's simplicity in circuitry and no headphone amp or DAC features.
Fyne F500 speakers… which amplifier should I choose? I am also thinking a subwoofer at some point… but just maybe
@AudioAdvice
Жыл бұрын
It will depend on your room size and listening tastes. Those don’t look hard to drive. Please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com for more details.
I'm looking at the Rega Io for a set of Kef Q 350. What do you think about it?
@AudioAdvice
2 жыл бұрын
The IO is an awesome integrated amp and should do ok with those in a small room. They are a bit power hungry though so just bear that in mind. Thanks for watching
Hi what rega amp you would advice for kef r 7 speakers? Thank you love your videos!
@AudioAdvice
Жыл бұрын
Call or chat with our team at audioadvice.com and they will be able to give you the perfect match!
Great vid with fantastic amps ! Unfortunately I have no choice to demo the IO but I can have one for 500 EUR. My question is if the IO is strong enough to match my Dali Oberon 3 bookshelves with only 87 dB in 6 ohm in a medium sized room. And do you think it would make a big difference in phono stage and sound compared to my Marantz PM 66 SE KI which made Ken Ishiwata famous in the 90s. I never experienced a better phono stage and the music in every source is very warm but detailed with a big stage and its airyness is extraordinary. But it has first flaws now sometimes in one channel... Thanks a lot for your help
@AudioAdvice
Жыл бұрын
Brio would be better. We have not heard that particular Marantz, sorry
@angelheart7643
Жыл бұрын
@@AudioAdvice Thanks Audio Advice. First I was between the Rotel A11 Tribute and Audiolab 6000A. Then IO. But now I have just ordered the Brio 2017 as new open box for 633 Euros / 670 bucks. Hope that is a good deal.
The other difference between the IO and Brio is the lack of a Record Output phono. This is a big deal for people who want to send their Turntable Audio into a Sonos Eco System for example. Ironic really when you think of IO in terms of Input/Output which is how I read the model name and it doesn't actually have an Output.
@AudioAdvice
2 жыл бұрын
Yes. To do that you would need a fixed tape out (which is rare these days) or a way to set the preamp out to be fixed. Which is also pretty hard to find. It’s not like the old days when everyone had a tape deck and one or two tape outs were very common. Thanks for watching
Hi, I'm looking for 'warmer/sweeter' sound for my Focal Chora 806. Wonder if IO is better option. I got medium size room.
@AudioAdvice
Жыл бұрын
Reach out to our team of experts at audioadvice.com and they can help you decide what would be best for your situation!
@cmessi
7 ай бұрын
What amp did you choose?
Hi, i just bought Elex- r from you on amazon, will it be a good pair with Magnapan 1.7? Thanks
@AudioAdvice
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for your support! It drives those really well, we even have people using those with the Brio.
@thenow5559
Жыл бұрын
@@AudioAdvice thanks!
Can you clarify the Rega US Warranty? In the UK its a Lifetime Warranty.
Very cool review - thank you very much! Just curious, if you can recommend Wharfedale Dentons paired with Rega IO?
@AudioAdvice
3 жыл бұрын
They should work quite well. Thanks for watching.
@SuperReyand
3 жыл бұрын
@@AudioAdvice thank you!
@tess6499
3 жыл бұрын
@@AudioAdvice has the brio enough power for cm5 s2?
@AudioAdvice
3 жыл бұрын
@@tess6499 Yes, it would be a great match for those speakers
How does the phono preamp on the BRIO compare to the schiit mani?
Woul the Brio work well with Klipsch speakers? Let's say like Heresy's IV
@AudioAdvice
3 жыл бұрын
Yes, it has plenty of power for the Klipsch
@jerrypowers7671
Жыл бұрын
That's what i am planning also.
Thanks for the video, I'm just looking out to a replacement for my Cyrus II, (50W x2/8ohm) still working after 34 years, I have a pair of Ditton 3 Celestion also still in good shape after 25 years, and they are 91.5db. I guess the IO could easily do the job, also because I heard the Brio is a bit too dynamic, but didn't auditioned the Io nor the Brio, what could you suggest? I see the video is 2 years old but maybe someone has experienced the sound of the Cyrus and can suggest something, thanks a lot :)
@AudioAdvice
8 ай бұрын
You are welcome. The io would be fine for speakers of that sensitivity in a medium to small room
@rupertherbert594
8 ай бұрын
@@AudioAdvice thanks again :)
Is it true that REga amplifiers are running hot? According to ASR
@AudioAdvice
Жыл бұрын
They run a little warm, but most good amps do
Brio looks better than the Io to me
I'm going to buy Elicit R MKV for my Tannoy XT8F
@AudioAdvice
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching! We have them in stock and ready to ship! :) www.audioadvice.com/rega-elicit-mk5-integrated-stereo-amplifier
Got an io and elex r. Both brilliant for the cost.
@PasqualeGalasso
2 жыл бұрын
obvious difference?
@shuckylad
2 жыл бұрын
@@PasqualeGalasso yes between the io and elex. Elex is more refined. The io is super fun to listen to tho.
@PasqualeGalasso
2 жыл бұрын
@@shuckylad I Have Klipschorn, Io or Elex for You?
The Elex Mk 4 does include digital circuitry.
@AudioAdvice
Жыл бұрын
yes it does, we did this before it came out, thanks for sharing
What is your comment on brio couple with quad 12L2 ?
@AudioAdvice
2 жыл бұрын
They are 88 dB sensitivity, so they should be fine. They are a nice classic speaker from a few years back. Thanks for watching
@ariefpoerniawan
2 жыл бұрын
@@AudioAdvice i feel like the power is not strong enough to drive the speakers… compare when they were pair with rotel power amp
@AudioAdvice
2 жыл бұрын
@@ariefpoerniawan well a power amp is normally better if course
@ariefpoerniawan
2 жыл бұрын
@@AudioAdvice if i upgrade it to rega elicit R, does it help ? And final question, can rega elicit R drive dynaudio 72 floor standing ?
@AudioAdvice
2 жыл бұрын
@@ariefpoerniawan All depends on your room size and levels you wish to attain, that Dynaudio looks to be hard to drive. Please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com for further discussion.
The Elex-R would be perfect if it had a headphone jack, and if it didn't make a big "plop" sound when turned on or off. In speakers with 86db of output, it passes, but on Klipshorns, it is totally unacceptable. 🤬
Not a good idea to stack em like that! Scratched up bottom. Resale price down.
Some people just have voice delivery that isn’t pleasant to listen to. Very salesman/ all-specification script delivery. I want to hear someone’s laidback personal review.