Rega Brio R / Quad Vena

[Bromiley]

Am I gaining any better sound quality with the Raga Brio R and Arcam irDAC/Rega DAC over the Quad Vena? I have the Vena at home now for a test. It’s much better for my ears than the Cambridge CXA80, which sounded too bright for my B&W 685s2 speakers.

The Vena sounds a lot more neutral, but I’m wondering if the Rega Brio R and Arcam ir DAC would give me better sound quality.

Any thoughts would be very welcome.

 

[chebby]

The Vena sounds a lot more neutral, but I’m wondering if the Rega Brio R and Arcam ir DAC would give me better sound quality.

Not a fair comparison, £900 amp & DAC separates combination vs £600 amp/DAC integrated!

I would hope the Rega + irDAC would sound £300 better otherwise one of them is doing something terribly wrong.

 

[plastic penguin]

Both set-ups will have a slightly different presentation. The OP will need to dem both and see which one floats his boat.

 

[Al ears]

The Vena sounds a lot more neutral, but I’m wondering if the Rega Brio R and Arcam ir DAC would give me better sound quality.

Not a fair comparison, £900 amp & DAC separates combination vs £600 amp/DAC integrated!

I would hope the Rega + irDAC would sound £300 better otherwise one of them is doing something terribly wrong.

Indeed, quite a price difference. It would depend more on whether you wanted a one box solution or are happier with two boxes rather than ultimate sound quality which, in my opinion, would not be too dissimilar.

 

[Bromiley]

Prices here are:

800 Euro for the Quad Vena.

800 Euro for the Brio R.

500 Euro for the Arcam irDAC.

It's interesting (and welcome) you think both setups would sound about the same. Does anyone else have the same opinion? I do have the budget for the Rega/Arcam combination if there would be a big difference in quality. Having said that, listening the Vena today has been great.

 

[Al ears]

Prices here are:

800 Euro for the Quad Vena.

800 Euro for the Brio R.

500 Euro for the Arcam irDAC.

It's interesting (and welcome) you think both setups would sound about the same. Does anyone else have the same opinion? I do have the budget for the Rega/Arcam combination if there would be a big difference in quality. Having said that, listening the Vena today has been great.

Even in these days of improved reliability I am still a great believer in separates. Throwing everything in one box is great for convenience but little else.

 

[drummerman]

Dunno but the Vena in a real wood jumper sure looks luvly.

 

[chebby]

Throwing everything in one box is great for convenience but little else.

Ok, i'm out of the thread now we are going to p#ss all over my system.

Good luck with your quest Bromiley I hope you find an excellent solution.

 

[Al ears]

Throwing everything in one box is great for convenience but little else.

Ok, i'm out of the thread now we are going to p#ss all over my system.

Good luck with your quest Bromiley I hope you find an excellent solution.

Apologies, didn't mean to pee over anyone's system. There is something for everyone. I'd love a Vena to be perfectly honest but guess I am a box collector.

 

[drummerman]

May I throw the Cyrus Streamline in as well?

That way it'll take the pressure of chebby and folks can pxxx over my chosen brand too

 

[matthewpiano]

I wouldn't change the Quad for a Brio-R. It will be an expensive sideways move at best.

 

[Bromiley]

OK, it looks like the Quad Vena could be the one. I really do like it, though a little more bass would be good. I don't want to rush into a purchase straight away, though. I'd like to know what a little more money could get me and if it would be worth it. Perhaps Arcam A19 with the irDAC? I've read that the Arcam is a nice match to my B&W 685s2 speakers.

Any thoughts?

 

[Bromiley]

Here's another thought. Whilst testing the Vena the sound was a little more open from my budget bluray player (via optical) than from my Mac (via USB). Perhaps the addition of a CD player would improve the sound even more.

I wasn't thinking about CD players before this as I assumed the USB connection from my Mac would be perfect.

Any suggestions for a good CD player that would fit with the Vena?

 

[rainsoothe]

I wouldn't change the Quad for a Brio-R.  It will be an expensive sideways move at best.

+1 . Brio R is overrated, dunno why. Irdac+A19 might be an upgrade - I think the A19 is great. But you need to listen.

Also, you must check Naim Unitiqute 2 (if you don't need usb dac). Use Dnm Reson or chord rumour 2 / chord clearway with the Naim.

 

[jonathanRD]

Both set-ups will have a slightly different presentation. The OP will need to dem both and see which one floats his boat.

+1

Demo everything you can, everyone on here will have a different opinion and different ears. It's your ears, your room, and your money.

 

[MrReaper182]

No idea what the Quad Vena souds like but I own a Brio-R and its the best bugdget stero amp by a country mile at the mintue in my view.

 

[DIB]

No idea what the Quad Vena souds like but I own a Brio-R and its the best bugdget stero amp by a country mile at the mintue in my view.

You must have heard a lot of amps to come to that conclusion. How can you possibly say the Rega is better than the Quad when you've not heard it?

.

 

[MrReaper182]

No idea what the Quad Vena souds like but I own a Brio-R and its the best bugdget stero amp by a country mile at the mintue in my view.

You must have heard a lot of amps to come to that conclusion. How can you possibly say the Rega is better than the Quad when you've not heard it?

I have heard a lot of budget stero amps over the years and the Rega Brio-R really is something special. Its going to be taked about highly in 20 plus years when most of today budget stero amps are long forgotton. A true legend.

.

 

[Bromiley]

That's good advice. I'm going to go to the shop with my speakers and test the Quad again and also the Rega Brio.

I know it's not all about looks, but the Brio R and Brio CD player do look good together. If I went with the Quad a CD player to go with it will be a different size and shape which may not sit well in my living room. I know, I know! That's not what it's all about but I do want whatever I buy to look as good as it/they sound.

In the meantime however, can anyone suggest a CD player that would suit the Quad Vena in terms of sound?

Thanks

 

[drummerman]

No idea what the Quad Vena souds like but I own a Brio-R and its the best bugdget stero amp by a country mile at the mintue in my view.

Is that different to a mile in town?

 

[chebby]

You need the Regas. Otherwise you will always be a little bit worried about what you missed without a Rega amp, or Rega DAC, or Rega CDP, or ... or ... etc.

It'll cost you an extra £350 - £500 but you know you want to really

It would be criminal if an all Rega stack of Brio-R/DAC-R/Apollo-R didn't sound better than a Quad Vena surely? I haven't compared them myself but common sense tells you this.

 

[drummerman]

That's good advice. I'm going to go to the shop with my speakers and test the Quad again and also the Rega Brio.

I know it's not all about looks, but the Brio R and Brio CD player do look good together. If I went with the Quad a CD player to go with it will be a different size and shape which may not sit well in my living room. I know, I know! That's not what it's all about but I do want whatever I buy to look as good as it/they sound.

In the meantime however, can anyone suggest a CD player that would suit the Quad Vena in terms of sound?

Thanks

Shiney plastic fronts ... .

As to what cd player to go with the Vena, something from cyrus perhaps?

 

[chebby]

As to what cd player to go with the Vena, something from cyrus perhaps?

https://www.henleydesigns.co.uk/CD-Box-S-p665

 

[Al ears]

As to what cd player to go with the Vena, something from cyrus perhaps?

https://www.henleydesigns.co.uk/CD-Box-S-p665

The Quad Artera comes with a nice matching CD player.

 

[chebby]

As to what cd player to go with the Vena, something from cyrus perhaps?

https://www.henleydesigns.co.uk/CD-Box-S-p665

The Quad Artera comes with a nice matching CD player.

For a total of £2900