Amp upgrade for Rega system

[steffy72004]

Hi,

my system at the moment consists of the components in my signature, all Rega. I'd like to upgrade my amp and I have the chance to purchase and ex dem Mira 3 at a very affordable price. Question is, would it be an upgrade or a sideways step? I will make a comparison as soon as I can, but I wanted to hear some of your opinions.

Thanks!

 

[respe]

personally I prefer the Brio to the Mira. The Mira is more Hi-Fi, but less enjoyable. Thats my ears, my system. Have a listen for yourself. I went from the Brio to Cursa - Maia. There are soem good deals around on those at the moment if you can track one down, have a listen

 

[steffy72004]

Thanks for suggestions.

Respe: could you explain me the "more HIFI" concept? Thank you.

 

[chebby]

Get the bargain Mira 3. It will definitely be an upgrade from the Brio 2000.

The Mira's 60 watts per channel will benefit your RS5 speakers.

 

[steffy72004]

Chebby, which would be the most noticeable benefit I could get? Also sometimes I have the sensation of a little harshness in high frequencies, you think that Mira would tame this problem? Once more....thanks

 

[chebby]

Comparisons between the Mira 3 and Brio 3 have usually found the Mira 3 to be a more refined, smoother, detailed amplifier and the Brio 3 to be more of a 'fun' amp with better pace.

However, your Brio 2000 has even less power (38 wpc) than the Brio 3 (49wpc) and I think Repse was comparing the Brio 3 not your model.

I have heard the Mira 3 and Brio 3 with the Apollo and RS1 and RS3 speakers and (good as the Brio 3 was for the price) I think your RS5s will benefit more from the 60wpc of the Mira 3.

Given your last observation about slightly harsh treble, the more refined Mira 3 should be a better choice.

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Personally I'd go for the Brio-R. It's a terrific amp by any standard. Yes, it costs more, but is well worth it. Plus, it also has the makings of a classic, which can only bode well for resale value.

Looks good, too.

 

[VinylRush]

Another vote for the Brio R. Fantastic amp.

It will drive the rs5 with relative ease.

Should of won Whf amp of the year. It was a fix!

 

[chebby]

I hadn't realised the new Brio-R was an option from the OP's question. Sorry.

 

[VinylRush]

Oops didn't know it was only the mira Being discussed. Sorry.

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Oops didn't know it was only the mira Being discussed. Sorry.

It wasn't, but since the Brio 3 was mentioned, thought why not? Excellent amp, better by a mile than the Brio 3 and probably better than the Mira 3, too.

 

[steffy72004]

Brio R, reading all the comments and WHF review, must be a great amp. Anyway given the bargain price, I'll consider at the moment only the Mira

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Brio R, reading all the comments and WHF review, must be a great amp. Anyway given the bargain price, I'll consider at the moment only the Mira

Why not go down to your dealer and compare? I think you'll be surprised at how good the Brio-R is.

 

[steffy72004]

I would compare, but unfortunately where I live Brio R is still not imported

 

[steffy72004]

After a week of evaluating Mira 3 is still there, available. But came out the opportunity on a Naim 5i-2, and I am tempted: would it be a good choice? Considering that I should drive 100 km to go to listen to Naim, I would really appreciate some advice in advance.

Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

I did heard both Brio-R and Naim 5I-2 (it was both improvised quick listening session so I can't tell the details like musics and equipments.)

I did like both. But my heart got stroke by that Naim, and what I heard did obsess me and was looping back in my head for 24hrs! No kidding.

Now I'm in the quest to get the same feeling with the Brio-r with some listening session with different speakers. If I don't find it, I'll have to pile up some more money to reach the Naim. :wall:

So go and get there. After you will sleep much better with your choice whatever it is. That's the final result that count, isn't?

 

[steffy72004]

So, after a couple of weeks I thought to update this thread in the quest for a new amp. I managed to organize an audition with my player and speakers to compare Nait 5i and Mira 3. Undoubtely,as expected, the character of the two amps were quite different:

- Mira: quite musical (but not as much as the Brio), very relaxed, laid back, but a little muddy in more complex pieces

- Naim: detailed, fast, great separation and rythm, just a little less musical than mira.

Honestly I found that the sound of the Mira didn't suit my taste, and I opted to obtain a two days demo at home with Nait. After a longer session with this amp, I decided anyway to give it back to the shop: really a nice piece of kit, but in some way put out of balance my setup: the listening, even if more detailed and in certain cases really superb (especially with piano, so natural), became fatiguing, after 30 minutes I had to take a break, while with Brio I could go on the whole day. Also I noticed a bit too much high frequencies, in a word I felt I gained something, but also losed something, and I realized I wasn't happy with this new sound. So I gave back the Nait and I am thinking on which option I could try.

Valves? rega Maia/Cursa combination? (they have a couple of these ex dem).....hope you can help me with some suggestion, thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

Just get the Mira. In your home and setup, specially since you're sensing brightness or forwardness, I suspect the Brio-R and the Naim stuff will be too in your face and forward sounding.

Get the mira. enjoy the music, and stop reading forums. It'll just confuse you.

 

[steffy72004]

Appreciate the advice, Mo, but I will keep on reading the forums (it's often useful and interesting) and for sure I'm not going to get the Mira 3: honestly, I prefer the sound of my old Brio to the Mira 3, so for now I will stick to my amp and keep on looking around and experimenting....after all that's a big part of the fun

 

[chebby]

I am sure there will be a new Mira-R from Rega next year.

That will be worth trying.

 

[chebby]

Ok sorry, just noticed from page one that new Rega gear is not imported where you are.

 

[jerry klinger]

I am sure there will be a new Mira-R from Rega next year.

That's not what I've heard.

 

[chebby]

I am sure there will be a new Mira-R from Rega next year.

That's not what I've heard.

What have you heard then?

 

[jerry klinger]

Likely to be one amp to replace both the Mira and the Elicit and better than either.

Same styling as Brio-R but of course larger.

There couldn't be a Mira-R as the Mira is already remote-controlled.

 

[chebby]

There couldn't be a Mira-R as the Mira is already remote-controlled.

In the same way there couldn't be an Apollo-R because the Apollo is already remote controlled?