Rega DAC or Saturn

[admin_exported]

Hello!

I currently have a Rega Apollo and am considering upgrading to a Rega Dac or Rega Saturn.

I can't find much info on how the Rega Dac would improve my current sound with the Apollo. Much of the focus seems to be on how the Dac improves playback via PC and streaming - something of little concern to me.

Would either option represent a significant upgrade?

Thanks in advance

 

[True Blue]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

It really depends upon what your main source is going to be. If it is purely going to be CD's then I would go with the saturn. Big jump in quality from the Apollo.

If you intend to stream at any time in the future (Sonos etc) then I would hand on heart recommend the DAC.

I own a saturn and a DAC. The Saturn was demoed against the Apollo and the Nait CD5i, it trounced them. I was going to buy one when it was £1300 so was chuffed to bits when they reduced the price to £900 and snapped one up.

The DAC will give the Apollo the Saturn sound.

Currently I am using the Saturn as a transport into the DAC as not sure if staying with CD's yet.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Obviously it's worth trying both out if you can as your own personal preference will play a part in this as much as anything else, but I'm guessing the majority of people who make that comparison are going to plump for the DAC.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

blinddumbdeaf:
Hello!

I currently have a Rega Apollo and am considering upgrading to a Rega Dac or Rega Saturn.

I can't find much info on how the Rega Dac would improve my current sound with the Apollo. Much of the focus seems to be on how the Dac improves playback via PC and streaming - something of little concern to me.

Would either option represent a significant upgrade?

Thanks in advance

Hi blinddumbdeaf

Even with compact discs i've found the Rega DAC to outperform the alredy impressive Apollo and Saturn cd players. With the option to also use pc/streaming and a price of £500 Rega's new DAC is imo a no brainer

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the welcome and the responses.

I look forward to demoing both options. If the DAC performs equal to the Saturn, surely sales of the Saturn will dry up. As you say, £500 or £900 for the same level of performance is a bit of a no brainer. I wonder if there will be any further reductions to make the Saturn a more competitive option.

Also, if I went for the Saturn, do you know any dealers that would take the Apollo as a trade in against the Saturn?

 

[Frank Harvey]

There will always be those that don't want a two box CD player, and will be happier with a one box solution, even if it doesn't sound quite as good.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

blinddumbdeaf:
Thanks for the welcome and the responses.

I look forward to demoing both options. If the DAC performs equal to the Saturn, surely sales of the Saturn will dry up. As you say, £500 or £900 for the same level of performance is a bit of a no brainer. I wonder if there will be any further reductions to make the Saturn a more competitive option.

Also, if I went for the Saturn, do you know any dealers that would take the Apollo as a trade in against the Saturn?

Hi blinddumbdeaf

Your welcome.

I don't know about price reductions on the Saturn and you'll have to talk to a Rega dealer about trade in.

Personally i would hold on to your Apollo as it has got a very good transport and add Rega's DAC. This combination gives more then a fair taste of Rega's flagship Isis cd player at a sixth of the price

Rega's DAC is a bargain at £500

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

MUSICRAFT:
Personally i would hold on to your Apollo as it has got a very good transport and add Rega's DAC. This combination gives more then a fair taste of Rega's flagship Isis cd player at a sixth of the price

Rega's DAC is a bargain at £500

Wow. Thats quite an endorsement!

Can anyone recommend any good dealers in London where I can demo the Saturn and DAC?

 

[Andrew Everard]

From Rega's site

GRAHAMS HI FI Canonbury Yard, 190a New North Road, LONDON, N1 7BS Tel: 0207 - 226 5500 (Reference dealer)

HARROW AUDIO 27 Springfield Road, HARROW, HA1 1QF Tel: 0208 930 9933, Email INFIDELITY 9 High Street, Hampton Wick, SURREY, KT1 4DA Tel: 0208 - 943 3530

ORANGES & LEMONS 61/63 Webbs Road, LONDON, SW11 6RX Tel: 0207 - 924 2040

 

[Cold Roses]

I'd highly recommend Grahams Hi Fi - I've always had great service from them (bought most of my kit there)!

Although I'd call and check that they have demo models of the Saturn and DAC available. I vaguelly recall them not holding stock of the Saturn, although as a reference dealer I imagine they can order in.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys

 

[Anonymous]

What would be the best way to connect the DAC to the CDP? Coaxial interconnect? And is there a particular cable to recommend (brand/price)?

Thanks again

 

[MUSICRAFT]

blinddumbdeaf:
What would be the best way to connect the DAC to the CDP? Coaxial interconnect? And is there a particular cable to recommend (brand/price)?

Thanks again

Hi blinddumbdeaf

I've found using the coaxial connection on Rega's DAC gives the best results.

Btw, a basic cable (like ones with yellow coloured RCA ends supplied with for eg. many blu ray players) will do the trick nicely.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

I have a Saturn, an Apollo and the Rega DAC. The Apollo as a transport to the DAC is still significantly inferior to the Saturn on its own.