How we take heed to music is turning into increasingly numerous, and there are some who query the purpose of entry-level, inexpensive hi-fi separates. After all, with the sheer choice of sensible audio system, moveable music gamers, soundbars and different innumerable methods to stream something from anyplace, the common-or-garden two-channel amplifier would appear to be one thing of an anachronism.

Rega doesn’t see it this fashion. In truth, studies from its distributors and sellers would recommend an ever-increasing demand for easy however efficient two-channel gear. The form of factor that doesn’t want a good wi-fi sign, common software program updates and a level in electronics to efficiently navigate. At the Bristol Hi-Fi Show again in February, the corporate launched its £1,000 System One comprising turntable, amplifier and loudspeakers to nice acclaim, proving that the funds separate system continues to be in excessive demand.

At the guts of this setup is the brand new io amplifier. This is a neat and trendy little unit that harks again to the times of easy, compact British funds large killers just like the Sondex S230, Quantum Electronics IA 100, QED A230 and even the great outdated Naim Nait. In the case of the io, this has been developed from its greater brother, the Brio (HFC 446), and in addition marks the return of an outdated Rega identify. The earlier io was a DAC named after one of many moons of Jupiter and designed to match the Jupiter CD transport. This time, nonetheless, io comes from the technical statement that the amplifier is successfully half its greater brother, the Brio, and so takes half its identify.

According to Rega, the principle duties within the growth of the io from the Brio had been the fantastic line between chopping prices to hit the cheaper price level with out compromising the efficiency of the completed unit. While some shortcuts needed to be averted – for instance in using supplies to maintain it’s look in keeping with the remainder of the vary, – the remainder of the cost-reduction strategies have clearly been cleverly utilized.

This means a extra compact enclosure, fewer inputs and a decrease energy output. The firm additionally invested in customized meeting jigs so as to make building of every unit as environment friendly as attainable. It’s all very effectively making technical changes and eradicating options, but when the ensuing unit is a long-winded ache to place collectively, then any financial savings made on the invoice of supplies might be fully worn out within the labour prices. Looking on the completed product, Rega has clearly succeeded admirably – the io is small and neat however comes throughout as sturdy and effectively screwed collectively. In use, it has the texture of one thing far more costly than its price ticket would recommend.

The built-in amp presents an influence output of 30W per channel into 8ohm. Lower impedance audio system are catered for, however the handbook warns that extended use into real 4ohm hundreds will make issues a bit toasty. There are three inputs chosen sequentially by a single entrance panel button, all via phono sockets – two line-level and one for MM phono. The latter presents a 2.1mV enter sensitivity and commonplace load of 47kohm and 220pF of capacitance. This sensitivity determine would possibly initially appear a little bit on the low facet, however Rega claims a wholesome overload margin of 100mV for the enter. As a consequence, cartridges with increased output ought to trigger few issues, other than the necessity to flip the quantity down a little bit.

Internally, the io is run from a linear energy provide unit and the output stage relies round good-quality Sanken output transistors. A 3.5mm headphone socket can be included on the entrance panel. Finally, the amp comes provided with a good-quality distant management handset that may function different Rega parts, and provides a muting facility.

For auditioning, the io is inserted into my common funds reference system comprising NAD C 558 (HFC 455) turntable with Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, plus Cambridge Audio 650C compact disc participant and Usher’s S-520 loudspeaker positioned on Atacama SL-600 stands.

Sound high quality
From the primary bars of music it’s clear that the io is one thing relatively particular at its value level. With any funds amplifier there may be all the time a way of trepidation when ready to see what the primary notes will convey. While many are enjoyable to take heed to, they could be a little over exuberant at occasions. This by no means falls into this lure and, because of this, has the character of one thing you’d count on to be relatively dearer. Similarly priced amplifiers, even the Yamaha A-S501 that resides on this system usually, might have a bit extra gusto to them, however that necessitates matching ancillaries fastidiously. The Rega’s refined nature means forming a well-balanced system with funds sources and speaker is way simpler, and is a particular energy.

Nowhere is that this extra apparent than within the prime finish – the treble is totally pleasant. There isn’t any scarcity of element in any respect and the unit has loads of perception to supply, however the smoothness, readability and lack of sibilance, even in much less worthy recordings, is the true prize right here. Brass devices have a pleasingly pure rasp to them with out ever sounding harsh whereas agency cymbal strikes have a crisp vanguard and a softly echoing decay.

At the low finish, the io might solely have 30W to play with, nevertheless it works wonders with it. Basslines are assured, punchy and taut and it digs deeply with confidence. The rumbling notes that mark the introduction of Mr Scruff’s Do You Hear? are current and proper, and the Rega bangs them out with authority. Equally, the unit by no means forgets when it’s purported to be behaving extra sensibly and endows bass guitars and double basses with loads of element and perception. The bassline underpinning Steely Dan’s Jack Of Speed likes to cover behind the combo, however the io is having none of it and brings it completely to the fore.

Across the midband and in spatial phrases, it’s once more a assured performer, with one tiny weak spot. While it actually has the power to generate a rock-solid central picture and the depth perspective it confers on performances is extremely commendable, it doesn’t fairly pull performers out into the room like another designs can. On the upside, Diana Krall’s vocals on I Miss You So are delicate and blessed with an ever so delicate echo that emphatically drives residence that it is a actual particular person in an actual studio.

She simply appears to be sitting additional away than I’m used to and situated inside the aircraft of the speaker relatively than out within the room earlier than it. This isn’t a weak spot of the io per se, however extra of a personality trait. It isn’t troublesome to get used to and, when you do, you’ll discover that its strengths are far simpler to focus on.

It’s additionally pleasing to notice that the io retains a constant nature throughout each line stage and phono inputs. Rega is a vinyl specialist in spite of everything, and so the phono stage is nearly as good as any standalone MM unit on the value. In truth, I might go so far as to say that it’s the star of the present, revealing simply how good vinyl might be even at this comparatively inexpensive stage. Whether my NAD turntable is exhibiting off the standard of an 180g urgent of The Traveling Wilburys’ Handle With Care or having a rollicking time bashing out some fifties jazz from the Firehouse Five Plus Two, this neat little built-in has all the things comfortably in hand.

Conclusion
It’s troublesome to criticise this inexpensive providing on any stage. Three inputs might sound a little bit miserly and its soundstage isn’t the deepest in back-to-front phrases, however when that’s all you may consider to moan about you realise what a cracking job Rega has carried out with its new child. The io appears, feels and appears like a way more costly unit and serves up a clean and detailed sound high quality, belying the comparatively modest 30W of energy output on provide – making it one other worthy addition to the funds amp corridor of fame. AS    

DETAILS
Product: Rega io
Type: Integrated amplifier

FEATURES

● Quoted energy output: 2x 30W (8ohm)

● Inputs: 2x stereo analogue RCAs; 1x MM phono

● Outputs: 3.5mm headphone jack

Read the complete evaluation in  Issue 464