Rega Elicit-R Integrated Amplifier

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. The superb aluminium housing 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. 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 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. 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 is only designed for use with one pair of speakers. It comes as standard with a Rega Solaris remote control – which explains the ‘R’ in the name!

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. This 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 Elicit R is the amp for you! It has to be the best amplifier in its category – a maPlatine.com top pick!