REGA DAC-R DAC

After the well-deserved success of its DAC, Rega has now released a new model that is even more comprehensive and offers more possibilities than the last: the DAC-R.

Rega DAC R : Front panel and connection

On the front panel of the Rega DAC R are 3 buttons: the first, on the far left-hand side, switches the device on and off, the second selects a filter (see technical specifications) and the third selects one of the 5 inputs.

The REGA DAC-R features an asynchronous USB input (24bits -192 Khz), two coaxial digital inputs and two Toslink optical inputs. And on top of that are 2 digital outputs (optical and coaxial) and the RCA audio outputs, of course.

All of the DAC-R’s inputs have been optimised to ensure that it delivers maximum resolution and musicality.

Rega DAC R : Technology

This British brand’s new DAC-R can handle any digital source with a frequency of between 32 and 192 kHz and a sampling rate of between 16 and 24 bits!

To do this, Rega has used two parallel-connected Wolfson WM8742 converters, which are connected to a low jitter digital clock.

Each circuit uses its own individual power supply. Interestingly, this design is very similar to that of the REGA ISIS CD player! 

Rega DAC R : Use with a computer

These days, computers are increasingly being used to store and play music, which means that tracks must be uncompressed and in WAV, FLAC and ALAC formats.

The Rega DAC-R can bring out impressive performances in these formats, delivering a sound quality that is highly defined and has all the emotion of analogue.

Rega has carefully designed the USB filter to limit data noise from the computer as much as possible. This input uses an isolation transformer to fully isolate the DAC-R from your computer.

Naturally, the other inputs have received the same care and attention from their creators, despite being less technically complex.

Rega DAC R : Listening and test review

We tested it out with a Rega Apollo R CD player and a MacBook Air.

The results of this combination proved true to the Rega tradition, with all of the dynamic range and vibrancy we have come to expect of the British brand’s products. The timbre quality is remarkable, and the balance is equally impressive.

With several of the CDs we played, it was almost like we were listening to a vinyl turntable! And that’s an understatement!

Not content with being a champion of analogue, Rega still never ceases to amaze with its digital products.

The Rega DAC-R is without a doubt the best digital-to-analogue converter in its category – and it’s our favourite!

AWARDS:

Choc de Classica - 2016