Anyone have experience driving Rega R7's or similar. (6 Ohm,125W, 89dB)

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therumdiaries

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Hi, first time posting, so thanks in advance. I'm looking for a new amp for Rega R7's. Need to replace my now-dead Cambridge Azur 640A which I think might have been a bit of a cold/lifeless pairing to begin with...
  • Rega R7's are 6ohms/89dB sensitivity/125w/channel, so only moderately efficient.
  • Stand alone DAC that delivers all the inputs (Stello DA100) so I don't need 'features'
  • Very moderate listening levels in a ~30m^2 room
  • Listening to everything - jazz, folk, rock, metal, electronica, younameit.
I'm considering the obvious two at this price point... Rotel A8 (€400) which seems 'right' but might only be delivering 35W at 6ohms... Has anyone any experience to share. Is this deal-breaker teritory or don't sweat it and as long as it's enjoyable. The primariy alternate is the Marantz PM6007, moving to ~50W at 6 Ohms. Highly reviewed but on pure sound, which is my base criteria doesn't appear to be quite as tight as the Rotel.

Do I really need to think again given the calibre of the R7's and dig deeper into finances and if so what amps might I be targeting, say at absolute limit of €800 (Arcam A5 perhaps)?

Or just get the Rotel and stop noodling over spec sheets?! : )
 
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That’s actually a pretty good sensitivity by today’s standards but a nice sized room to fill. However, you state very moderate listening levels, so indeed the Rotel might suffice. I’d instinctively look for something beefier but the best way to tell is find a friendly dealer from whom you can buy on a returnable basis, or who might lend you their demo model.

Don’t be surprised if they show you a Rega amp at £2,000 plus however, as that’s a more natural partner for a speaker that cost about £1,500/pr over 15 years ago!

Welcome to the forum!
 
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nopiano said:
That’s actually a pretty good sensitivity by today’s standards but a nice sized room to fill. However, you state very moderate listening levels, so indeed the Rotel might suffice. I’d instinctively look for something beefier but the best way to tell is find a friendly dealer from whom you can buy on a returnable basis, or who might lend you their demo model.

Don’t be surprised if they show you a Rega amp at £2,000 plus however, as that’s a more natural partner for a speaker that cost about £1,500/pr over 15 years ago!

Welcome to the forum!
Click to expand...
I will hopefully be able to do this. After all an amp is not just for Christmas.
 
Edit: I just tried my neighbour's older Arcam A75 and the difference is staggering. Consider the budget doubled. There's an Arcam A5 nearby for €750 and a Rega Brio MK7 at €920 which will have to fall under consdieration.

Oh what difference listening and a few hours can do!
 
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therumdiaries said:
Hi, first time posting, so thanks in advance. I'm looking for a new amp for Rega R7's. Need to replace my now-dead Cambridge Azur 640A which I think might have been a bit of a cold/lifeless pairing to begin with...
  • Rega R7's are 6ohms/89dB sensitivity/125w/channel, so only moderately efficient.
  • Stand alone DAC that delivers all the inputs (Stello DA100) so I don't need 'features'
  • Very moderate listening levels in a ~30m^2 room
  • Listening to everything - jazz, folk, rock, metal, electronica, younameit.
I'm considering the obvious two at this price point... Rotel A8 (€400) which seems 'right' but might only be delivering 35W at 6ohms... Has anyone any experience to share. Is this deal-breaker teritory or don't sweat it and as long as it's enjoyable. The primariy alternate is the Marantz PM6007, moving to ~50W at 6 Ohms. Highly reviewed but on pure sound, which is my base criteria doesn't appear to be quite as tight as the Rotel.

Do I really need to think again given the calibre of the R7's and dig deeper into finances and if so what amps might I be targeting, say at absolute limit of €800 (Arcam A5 perhaps)?

Or just get the Rotel and stop noodling over spec sheets?! : )
Click to expand...
Hi, first of all wellcome to the forum.
You got very good speakers, Rega R7 is somehow in a class like Rega Aya speakers from current line of Rega speakers. I think R7 deserve even better amp like Arcam A5 or Rotel A8 or Marantz 6007. All of them are very good but not on level as R7 speakers. I recommend to look for a used Rega Elex or Elicit amplifier. Or Cambridge Audio CXA81. I have used Rega Jura speakers with Rega Brio mk6 (previous version) amp, very good combo as well. There is a real synergy between Rega amp, components, speakers. BR.
 
Integralista said:
Hi, first of all wellcome to the forum.
You got very good speakers, Rega R7 is somehow in a class like Rega Aya speakers from current line of Rega speakers. I think R7 deserve even better amp like Arcam A5 or Rotel A8 or Marantz 6007. All of them are very good but not on level as R7 speakers. I recommend to look for a used Rega Elex or Elicit amplifier. Or Cambridge Audio CXA81. I have used Rega Jura speakers with Rega Brio mk6 (previous version) amp, very good combo as well. There is a real synergy between Rega amp, components, speakers. BR.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that Integralista. Having had an amp die takes a little confidence out of buying second hand on the open market but I will have a look at second hand through local suppliers. I do love the R7's and can see the benefits.
Din5 said:
I would be seeking out a S/H Rega Elicit-R, or Elex-R . Both should give you great results with your R7's. Or if you have the funds consider buying the latest versions. Rega synergy exists !
Click to expand...
Thanks Din5. Good call. You hear about these things but so just booked to take the speakers up to a local shop to do exactly that. I'm dying to hear it myself at this stage! Will report back...
 
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Hi, thought I'd circulate back.

I have learned a few things. Primarily that the listening room has the majority share of impact to the sound anything makes. Might not be a surprise to all of you but I was blaming my old amp for a limp sound. Having brough one of the new QUAD 3's that sounded superb and rich with the R7's in the hifi shop I was pretty disappointed to find that the room ate up all the power and all the base and generally robbed the magic. Thankfully Cloney Audio in Blackrock in Dublin (shout out!) have been excelent and had no issues taking it back.

Prior to that I also tried the much beefier Arcam 25 and Rega Elex. I preferred the weight of the Rega and the rich rich bass wiht the R7's so I've found one for 900 euro second hand which I'm hoping will be the final word in terms of amps. Stay tuned.

In reality I think I may need to work on the room to make it more amenable to good sound. Then I guess the balance of the budget could go into a sub if needed. All in good time I guess!
 
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therumdiaries said:
Hi, thought I'd circulate back.

I have learned a few things. Primarily that the listening room has the majority share of impact to the sound anything makes. Might not be a surprise to all of you but I was blaming my old amp for a limp sound. Having brough one of the new QUAD 3's that sounded superb and rich with the R7's in the hifi shop I was pretty disappointed to find that the room ate up all the power and all the base and generally robbed the magic. Thankfully Cloney Audio in Blackrock in Dublin (shout out!) have been excelent and had no issues taking it back.

Prior to that I also tried the much beefier Arcam 25 and Rega Elex. I preferred the weight of the Rega and the rich rich bass wiht the R7's so I've found one for 900 euro second hand which I'm hoping will be the final word in terms of amps. Stay tuned.

In reality I think I may need to work on the room to make it more amenable to good sound. Then I guess the balance of the budget could go into a sub if needed. All in good time I guess!
Click to expand...
Hi, I am happy to read this message from you. Rega Elex is amazing amp. One remark to positioning of your R7 speakers. Just to be shure, I recommend to try them in position when bass drivers "see each other" and compare with position "looking outside, to sidewalls". You will notice quite a difference in sounstage and also in bass. Just remark. This is normal for speakers with side mounted bass drivers. Decision, which possition is better is on you. And finaly, I know you are digital, but Elex has very very good phono preamp inside. Just try it sometimes with some turntable and MM cartridge. I think you will start to search for LPs. This is Rega Magic. 😉
 
Thanks for updating us and well done for finding an amplifier that works well for you.
I assume the Elex you refer to is the new model and not the previous model Elex-R ?
 
Integralista said:
Hi, I am happy to read this message from you. Rega Elex is amazing amp. One remark to positioning of your R7 speakers. Just to be shure, I recommend to try them in position when bass drivers "see each other" and compare with position "looking outside, to sidewalls". You will notice quite a difference in sounstage and also in bass. Just remark. This is normal for speakers with side mounted bass drivers. Decision, which possition is better is on you. And finaly, I know you are digital, but Elex has very very good phono preamp inside. Just try it sometimes with some turntable and MM cartridge. I think you will start to search for LPs. This is Rega Magic. 😉
Click to expand...
Good point. I think Rega suggest having bass drivers outwards but there's nothing to stop me trying them the other way around for sure.
 
Din5 said:
Thanks for updating us and well done for finding an amplifier that works well for you.
I assume the Elex you refer to is the new model and not the previous model Elex-R ?
Click to expand...
Yes, it's the new model, the Mk4. First owner, recipt, non-smoking house - all good things to hear when buying second hand.
 
I haven't heard the MK4 Elex, but I did own an Elex-R for a couple of months ( impressive amp, brilliant sound), until I thought (wrongly) that it had developed a phono stage fault, which turned out to be just fluff on my RP6 /Exact stylus. The dealer lent me an Elicit-R to keep me going in the meantime. My big mistake was taking the Elicit-R home, dear oh dear what an amp, very noticable straight away improvement in bass control while keeping or improving the mid clarity etc, so I did a swap with my dealer and haven't looked back since, although if a nice Aethos comes along at a decent price I might be tempted !
I'm sure you will be delighted with your MK4 Elex, from what I read in online reviews it is a special amp with a beautiful sound -- Enjoy !
 
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