Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Rega Elicit Integrated Amplifier (SS) by hairydog

Model:	Elicit
Category:	Integrated Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	1425$
Description:	2x70 W@8 load integrated stereo amplifier in complete dual mono design
Manufacturer URL:	Rega

Review by hairydog on July 26, 2011 at 09:41:24
IP Address: 12.40.175.147 Add Your Review
for the Elicit

The other review here is for the original Rega Elicit, which as he says only available used. Since then Rega has designed a new version of the amp with no name change at all, so it's the Elicit again. This review is for the new version which has a slightly higher power rating at 82 watts into 8 ohms, producing a bit more than that into lower impedance loads. I've been using mine since it came out (3 years?)and it's given me many hours of enjoyable listening since then. Play around in the audio world long enough and sooner or later you're going to try a British Integrated, may even wind up with one.
Some of my considerations for getting this amplifier went beyond sound quality over all else. I wanted something that did'nt produce a lot of heat and use lots of power like the tubes and class A gear I have owned, and it had to have a good built in phono stage- The Rega Elicit seemed the natural choice as I already had used other Rega amps and liked them, and currently use a Rega cdp and speakers. I love the sound and design of this amplifier driving Rega RS3 speakers. I'd like to say I have had very similar experience with my Elicit as those expressed in the online audio review on Six Moons site. It is really fine on the bass region going down lower than you might expect for the power rating, and neither lean nor fat yet full, fast and powerful, but none of that means anything unless I dug the way it plays bass. Listening to "West LA Fade Away" from Grateful Dead "in the Dark", I can easily hear the technique of the bass player Phil Lesh, how he employs small changes in dynamics and timing to weave a line that's tuneful and not exactly a blues. Mydlands keyboards and Weirs guitar pop and bounce from the speakers giving some fine detail and effect to the song. Garcia's funky theme riff and leads are produced with clarity. Then I play the version of this tune by Los Lobos on "Tin can trust" and hear it for the raunchy blues burner it is- throwing a pounding blues bass, multiple guitar tracks, Sax and congas into the mix.
Switching to jazz, playing Stan Getz "The Dolphin", the sax sounds BEAUTIFUL, it is'nt dry with some nice breath too! Kenny Barron piano solo is'nt "plinky", the tonality is correct, just scaled down from the real thing. A system has to get the basic tonalities and events in time right or it will sound jumbled and off- the Rega Elicit with RS3 does these essential things very well. I don't feel I am at an actual performance, but yet the music is served up in a convincing manner and in the right proportion for home listening. The balance across the music spectrum is even and open. It was not until I used the Rega amp and speakers that I got this feeling- "Yes, I'm a stereo, but I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing". Moving on to classical listening- Vivaldis "Four Seasons", the violin is'nt grating, so I'm loving it, I've had the grating violin thing before and well you can't really listen to classical then. Does this make the Elicit an "all rounder"? I say Yes!
The MM phono stage is decent, I hear it as detailed and maybe a hair on the dry side and neither intrusive nor mitigating regarding surface noise. Mostly I like to play a Grado through it, this provides a pleasant vinyl experience.
Comparitvely the Elicit amp is not quite as sweet in the mids as the class A Sugden A21 but provides a vastly improved bass and a more detailed and refined top end. As mentioned if you want a more in depth take on the amps qualities read the six moons review. For myself I'd say the Elicit is an excellent British Integrated which is built well, looks amazing and sounds solid. I always enjoy my recordings with it (aside from the occaisional "Bad Stereo day" which is probably more related to my mood and attention span). I'd recommend it to anyone interested in getting a nice SS integrated amplifier. No Muffy, musical is'nt a bad word!

Product Weakness:	On the expensive side
Product Strengths:	Good tonality, plays bass very well, solid build, runs at a tepid temp.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Rega Elicit
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Rega Jupiter 2000
Speakers: Rega RS3
Cables/Interconnects: Supra ply, AQ quartz
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, Jazz, Classical
Room Size (LxWxH): 13 x 14 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments: none
Time Period/Length of Audition: several years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Monster
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Rega Elicit
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rega Jupiter 2000
Speakers:	Rega RS3
Cables/Interconnects:	Supra ply, AQ quartz
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Jazz, Classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	13 x 14 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	none
Time Period/Length of Audition:	several years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner