The Rega ELICIT R integrated amplifier has been on the scene for 25 years now! But in recent times it has undergone several changes. It is currently in its 3rd generation.
The ELICIT R is manufactured and assembled entirely by hand in the Rega factory in the United Kingdom.
This new version is a huge departure from the previous model. It has been completely overhauled, with a brand new look and brand new circuit design.
Rega Elicit R : Housing
The superb aluminium housing of this Rega Elicit R amplifier is a relatively average in size, but is denser and heavier than average (over 13kg).
The front panel is a striking combination of aluminium and black Altuglas®. It bears a red backlit REGA logo, as well as a volume potentiometer surrounded by 20 LED lights which light up to indicate the gain level.
A grey aluminium button lets you select one of the Elicit R’s 5 inputs.
The input you select, as well as the Mute, Direct and Record functions, are also indicated by a red LED light.
It comes as standard with a Rega Solaris remote control – which explains the ‘R’ in the name!
Rega Elicit R : Connection
The rear panel has 5 pairs of RCA plugs.
Input N°1 has a built-in phono preamp for use with moving magnet (MM) cartridges. Rega didn’t get its reputation as a world leader in vinyl turntables for nothing!
This phono preamplifier has been meticulously designed and crafted to emulate the performances of high-end phono preamplifiers. There is also a switch that transforms this input it into a line input.
The other four inputs of the Rega Elicit R integrated amplifier are designed for high output sources like CD players, tuners or DACs.
And on top of all that, it also has an input/output for monitoring or a headphone amplifier such as the REGA EAR, and a preamp output that can be hooked up to a power amplifier or active subwoofer.
And last but not least, it also has a direct input for connecting the REGA Elicit R amp to a multi-channel system.
Rega Elicit R : Circuit and amplifier
Inside the amp you’ll find a circuit built around powerful Sanken Darlington transistors.
Thanks to some ingenious technology, they are class B but deliver the sound quality of a class A amp!
The power stage also has an imposing toroidal transformer, which allows the Elicit R to deliver over 100W per channel with 8-ohm speakers, 125W with 6-ohm speakers, and over 160W with a pair of 4-ohm speakers!
Of course, the Rega Elex-R integrated amp is only designed for use with one pair of speakers.
Rega Elicit R : Listening and test review
We tested the Rega Elicit R amplifier with the REGA Saturn R CD player and a Rega RP8 vinyl turntable fitted with a Rega Exact phono cartridge.
The ELICIT R won us over within seconds – from the opening bars it was clear that we were in the presence of a truly fantastic amplifier! This Rega creation has everything an audiophile could want.
The reproduction is clear, bright and exceptionally subtle. It is neutral and completely transparent, with no unnecessary frills, and it knows how to squeeze the best possible sound out of average quality sources.
The sound quality is very nuanced and articulated, with impressive crescendos. The dynamic range is fabulous, and is spread evenly across the entire spectrum.
This amp can handle even the most demanding of speakers.
The sound stage demonstrates impressive depth and width, and the placement of each musician is truly palpable.
The phono preamp delivers excellent results with the REGA RP8 record player, once again demonstrating the musicality, fluidity and timbre that makes you fall in love with your records and that has made the brand such a success.
Do you dream of owning the Rega Osiris R but the price is too steep? Then the Rega Elicit R amplifier is the amp for you! It has to be the best amplifier in its category – a maPlatine.com top pick!
FranckPower under 8 ohms: 105 W
Line inputs: 4
Phono input: 1 x MM
Impedance: 47Kohms
Phono input sensitivity: 2mV
Line input sensitivity: 196 mV
Input impedance: 760 Ohms
Weight: 13 kg
Dimensions: 432 x 82 x 340
Customer reviews
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Bjr je voulais un ampli plus adapté à ma pièce d'écoute (30m2) et essayer en plus d'avoir une meilleure qualité acoustique. En résumé je voulais savoir si un ampli plus "petit" que mon Vincent SV33 pourrait apporter un plus . Après recherches je me suis fixé sur ce Rega (sans l'avoir écouté) confiant de mon acquis et expérience passée. Je dois dire que je ne suis vraiment pas déçu voir même très agréablement surpris par la qualité du rendu sur mes enceintes Focal BE 1028. Bien évidemment la puissance est divisée par 2 mais c'était compris et recherché (et suffisant). L'étonnant dans l'histoire est que cet ampli drive de manière magistrale les basses . Cela n'a rien avoir avec le Vincent . On suit le travail d'un bassiste de manière parfaite (J'ai joué un peu de basse..). Cependant je dois avouer à la même occasion de cet achat que j'ai aussi pris possession d'une RP 6 et donc l'appréciation de l'ampli n'est complètement neutre ou en tout cas s'associe avec le rendu de cette RP6. En conclusion cet ampli associé à ma RP6 sonne superbement sur les musiques que j'écoute (Rock 70s, Blues) et le bond en avant qualitatif est réel alors même que le matériel précédent est loin d'être du bas de gamme . Maintenant j'attend avec impatience de changer la cellule Rega EXACT (MM) par une MC (du type Audio Technica ?) que j'ai par ailleurs sur une Project X-tension 9 CC acheté chez Ma platine. Je pense pouvoir gagner en qualité de timbres et densité des aiguës (a discuter avec Franck) . En clair que du bonheur ce matériel et encore une fois il fait mentir beaucoup de commentaires négatifs lus ici et là (mais pas chez vous) . Cdlt. Thierry