Anyone heard the new Rega Brio-R?

[admin_exported]

opinions?

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi MoData

Received the new Brio R amp (in black finish) 8) Early impressions are very nice indeed and already a big improvement over the Brio 3 :bigsmile:

The Brio R was certainly worth the wait 🙂

Btw, the Brio R is bulit like a small tank J)

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Frank Harvey]

Unfortunately, I've been too busy to have a listen, but I did hear my colleague listening to it on Friday - I was on the ground floor, he was on the top floor :bigsmile:

I'll see if I can grab a listen tomorrow - might be a busy one again though!

 

[Cypher]

I hope it's more powerful than the Brio 3. The Brio 3 sounded very good but needed more power.....the sound hardened up very easy when you tried to listen a little louder.

 

[Frank Harvey]

It's definitely more powerful than the Brio 3 🙂

 

[jerry klinger]

Does it have a phono stage? Have you heard that yet?

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi jerry klinger

Yes, input 1 can be used with MM or high output MC cartridges. I listened to a P3/24 Coloured/Elys through the Brio R and it sounds even better then the Brio 3 🙂

Overall i am really impressed with the Brio R. So much so that i'll say the Brio R is an even 'hotter' product then Rega's own DAC :bigsmile:

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

Picked up a silver Brio-r this morning and it is sweeeet!

Love the dinky modest size, glowing red Rega logo, machined volume knob and minimal remote. Asthetically it is spot on.

It throws out music...fun, vivacious, smooth, lovely full bass...

I am loving this amp, and grateful that Rega makes such cool stuff.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi Snow Bike

Good to see that you're also happy with the Brio R 🙂 The Brio R is a bit of a pocket rocket J)

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[spockfish]

Would be really interested in a review over here. How does that actually work? Does Rega in this case need to provide a Brio R to WH?

 

[spockfish]

Would be really interested in a review over here. How does that actually work? Does Rega in this case need to provide a Brio R to WH?

 

[Anonymous]

does anyone know if rega are updating the cd players to match the brio-r?

 

[jaxwired]

Toneaudio just did a nice reivew. They raved about the new Brio-R. Said it set a new standard for amps in this price range bringing a true high end sound for low end dollars. Extremely positive review.

 

[Cold Roses]

does anyone know if rega are updating the cd players to match the brio-r?

I read comments from Paul Darwin (Rega) on another forum saying that the new Apollo will be half size, to match the Brio-r and Dac.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Toneaudio just did a nice reivew. They raved about the new Brio-R. Said it set a new standard for amps in this price range bringing a true high end sound for low end dollars. Extremely positive review.

Hi jaxwired

Indeed 🙂 The Brio R is one of the finest products i've heard. A real joy to listen to and even more impressive than their already excellent DAC at the same price 8)

The Brio R was well worth the wait and imo is a bargain :bigsmile:

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[MUSICRAFT]

does anyone know if rega are updating the cd players to match the brio-r?

I read comments from Paul Darwin (Rega) on another forum saying that the new Apollo will be half size, to match the Brio-r and Dac.

Hi cold roses

Yes, the Rega's new Apollo cd player will use the same chassis as the DAC and Brio R 8)

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Lo Fi]

Would the Brio R be a good match for Monitor Audio RX1 or RX6 speakers, also can it drive speakers with a 4 ohm impedance.

What CD would you recomend if the top loader cannot be used with the above set up

 

[chebby]

Would the Brio R be a good match for Monitor Audio RX1 or RX6 speakers, also can it drive speakers with a 4 ohm impedance.

What CD would you recomend if the top loader cannot be used with the above set up

You might like to try the Rega RS1 and RS3 speakers as well. (Rega stuff traditionally sounds great with other Rega stuff.)

By 'top loader' do you mean the Rega Apollo and Saturn CD players? (Both top loaders.) If so, then why do you think they might not be able to be used with a Rega Brio-R ?

You could wait a bit longer and see if Rega bring out a new CD player to match the Brio-R and Rega DAC but it will cost more than the Rega Apollo.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Would the Brio R be a good match for Monitor Audio RX1 or RX6 speakers, also can it drive speakers with a 4 ohm impedance.

What CD would you recomend if the top loader cannot be used with the above set up

Hi Lo Fi

Yes, the Brio R works very well with Silver RX1 and RX6 speakers

Yes, the Brio R can drive speaker with a 4 ohm impedance. I've used the Brio R with Monitor Audio's Platinum 200/300 without any issues :rockout:

Other than a top loading cd player such the Apollo, Audiolab's 8200CD and Naim's CD5i also work well with the Brio R 🙂

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Andy Clough]

We've got a First Test of the Brio-R in the September issue of the magazine, on sale next week (subscribers may have their copies already). Without giving too much away, we certainly weren't disappointed! 😉

 

[Lo Fi]

Main problem with all the current Rega CD players is that they are top loaders which I cannot accomodate, do you think the new CD player will be a front loader.

 

[Lo Fi]

Does anyone have a crystal ball

 

[Frank Harvey]

I think we could possibly see a slot loader.....

 

[chebby]

Does anyone have a crystal ball

Ok I'll try...

Every CD player Rega have ever made was a top loader. I doubt they will change now.

I am not even sure they need a stand-alone CD player any more. With such a good DAC they only need to make a transport.

I would like to see Rega do an 'all-in-one' based on elements from the Brio-R, Rega DAC and Rega Radio with AirPlay, streaming and direct digital iPod/USB connection. (It wouldn't really need a built-in CD player.)

If they aimed it at the UnitiQute price-point (or just under) then it could be a Naim killer.

Being Rega, they would squeeze in a decent MM phono stage to give it the decisive edge over the 'Qute for all those vinyl fans.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Would the Brio R be a good match for Monitor Audio RX1 or RX6 speakers, also can it drive speakers with a 4 ohm impedance.

What CD would you recomend if the top loader cannot be used with the above set up

All amplifiers have their limits, and the Brio R is no exception to that. Testing it with a few different speakers, we tried the Monitor Audio's GX50's and the ProAc Tablette Signatures. On paper, these two have near identical specs as far as efficiency and impedance are concerned, but we found the Brio R dealt very well with the GX50's, but seemed to struggle a little with the Tablettes. As far as the RX1's or RX6's go, the Brio R will drive these fine, but I'd also suggest trying the RX2's instead of the RX6's - I think the Brio will control the bass better on the RX2's, giving a more enjoyable experience.