Leema Essentials Phono Stage vs Rega Aria Phono Pre-amp

[George680]

Hello,

I own a nice and little Leema Essentials Phono Stage and I'm thinking of buying a Rega Aria Phono Pre-amp.

Does anybody know both and would the Rega beat my Leema?

I have a Rega RP8 turntable with Apheta 2 cartridge.

Regards Sjors

 

[Al ears]

Hello,

I own a nice and little Leema Essentials Phono Stage and I'm thinking of buying a Rega Aria Phono Pre-amp.

Does anybody know both and would the Rega beat my Leema?

I have a Rega RP8 turntable with Apheta 2 cartridge.

Regards Sjors

My advice would be to sort out your turntable problem before you worry about changing anything else, changing preamp isn't going to cure that problem.

Is your current phono preamp set up properly to handle the Apheta?

The Aria should be a better long-term investment and have settings that should perfectly match your cartridge but this will not matter one iota if there is a problem with your current set-up.

To answer your question, and no I haven't heard both, the Aria will give you a lot more control over your cartridge settings and might be a good idea if you buy from a good Rega dealer as they could then check out your turntable problem at the same time.

 

[George680]

Thank you Al ears.

Right now my RP8 with Apheta 2 is sounding very good to me. So no problems for me anymore.

I had the interlink between Phono pre-amp and Leema amp connected to my DAC. Think that's why it sounded so poor at first.

 

[Al ears]

Thank you Al ears.

Right now my RP8 with Apheta 2 is sounding very good to me. So no problems for me anymore.

I had the interlink between Phono pre-amp and Leema amp connected to my DAC. Think that's why it sounded so poor at first.

Aha! That would explain a lot. Leads from phono preamp now go to line in sockets on the Tucana I take it.

Then, to answer your question, I believe the Rega Aria would be a significant step-up and a good 'long term' purchase as there is limited functionality on the Leema Essential.

 

[stereoman]

Thank you Al ears.

Right now my RP8 with Apheta 2 is sounding very good to me. So no problems for me anymore.

I had the interlink between Phono pre-amp and Leema amp connected to my DAC. Think that's why it sounded so poor at first.

Aha! That would explain a lot. Leads from phono preamp now go to line in sockets on the Tucana I take it.

Then, to answer your question, I believe the Rega Aria would be a significant step-up and a good 'long term' purchase as there is limited functionality on the Leema Essential.

I believe both preamps are great. But if Leema do their electronics as good as their loudspeakers - then I would not even hesitate and go for Leema. As said "Leema essentials" is pretty much limited with cartridge settings. Does not mean it will sound worse though I think.

 

[Al ears]

Thank you Al ears.

Right now my RP8 with Apheta 2 is sounding very good to me. So no problems for me anymore.

I had the interlink between Phono pre-amp and Leema amp connected to my DAC. Think that's why it sounded so poor at first.

Aha! That would explain a lot. Leads from phono preamp now go to line in sockets on the Tucana I take it.

Then, to answer your question, I believe the Rega Aria would be a significant step-up and a good 'long term' purchase as there is limited functionality on the Leema Essential.

I believe both preamps are great. But if Leema do their electronics as good as their loudspeakers - then I would not even hesitate and go for Leema. As said "Leema essentials" is pretty much limited with cartridge settings. Does not mean it will sound worse though I think.

I didn't mention sound quality for that very reason, and I have not heard the Leema. I am sure either would be sufficient with the Apheta.