Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Rega Elicit Integrated Amplifier (SS) by JPO

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
Manufacturer URL:	Rega

Review by JPO on July 08, 2002 at 13:22:18
IP Address: 193.250.245.138

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The Rega Elicit specifications are impressive. The preamp section run in a passive way with an input sensitivity of 220 mV/18 kohms. There is 3 line inputs and one recording, in RCA standard. No remote control. The power section is built in complete dual mono design, with two toroïdal trasformers of big size, each rail of both channel separatly straightened and filtered through 4 capacity of 22000 µF each. The Rega aluminium extruded case also serves as a heatsink for the 4 MOS-FET power transistors. Just one pair of speaker outpouts on the rear side, for bananas or nude cables.
The Elicit deliveres 2x70 W under 8 load or 2x110 W with 4 load.
I just mentionne what seems to me a great phono stage (I do not use LP), in complete dual mono too, with 4 dedicated smaller capacities. This phono preamp do accept MM cartridges as wall as MC (configuration inside of the box, through a set of jumpers).
I have heard all of the new Rega integrated amps this past few month (Brio, Mira) and know a previous one, the 2x50 Elex, whitch I owned before I have the Elicit. Well, none of this new amp has the same technical pretentions. And, by listening them and compared with the Elicit, I sadly regret that the Elicit is now discontinued...
The Rega Elex has stricken me with its ability to reproduce the emotion of good performances and with its formidable dynamic.Well, non-audiophile and non-careful listener would say that the Elicit produce the same sound that the Elex, which is, in fact, a good point for the bigger one. Effectively, the Elex has a very powerful, dynamic and rich sound. This amp is a charmer! But for audiophile usage, the Elicit dramatically increase the realism of the music.
The soudstage is more open, with greater depth and the stereo image is more stable. The sound spectrum is really very big, from the higher to the lower freqencies. The bass are particularly well-reproduced: they go very low while being well-controled, without any trace of flawless. Every octave of the harpsichcord lash the air with an equal ease. In this point, the Elicit outperforms the new Mira. This last one is not bad enough, but its brother is deeper and more controlled in the bass, so the tonality is better balanced and several instruments (cello, piano, double-bass...) sound less fat, more beautiful in the bottom of the spectrum, whereas the organ or the percussions are more impressive. I just regret that in the high, they somewhat a few nasality on certain notes.
The timbers are truthful and delicate. The warmth of the voices are closest to a good tube amp. A lot of power with this amp, with a realistic dynamic. It have no problems to drive my Cabasse Iroise, despite of them critical impedance curve. Perhaps its greatest quality is the transparency. You be sure that the sound you hear is as close as possible to the signal the CD player generate. You hear a lot of things you don't notice with a Brio or even with a Mira, as the sound of the skin of the percussions and plenty of micro-details.
To conclude, the Elicit, which can be found only used, is clearly a bargain. I do not heard Rega separate combo Cursa/Maïa, whitch replaces the Elicit, but I'm sure the latest remain now a very good integrated, and surely the best Rega has ever built.

Product Weakness: Great tranparency, so chose the analog or digital source with care! A bit weak in the very high. No remote control (but is it really sad?).
Product Strengths: Unbelivable truthness tone, large sound spectrum, firm and powerfull bass, ability to expose each melodic line. Seems to be inexhaustible. Have some of the good tubes qualities.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Rega Elicit, 2x70 W/8 ohms, 2x110 W/4 ohms. Similar products used or heard: Rega Elex, Brio and Mira; Atoll IN50, Cambridge A300, Kora Flash, Nad C300, Thule IA60.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Rega Planet Mk I
Speakers:	Cabasse Iroise (high-end floorstanding, 92 dB, 3-ways, 4 units, 120/840 W) an Davis Acoustics Axel 3 (entry level floorstanding, 3-ways, 3 units, 92 dB, 80W/110W
Cables/Interconnects:	4 mm2 OFC/Rega Std interconnect.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classic (all genres); electronical music.
Room Size (LxWxH):	7 m x 4 m x 2.4 m
Room Comments/Treatments:	Assymetric, well-deadened (furnitures, curtains, carpet)
Time Period/Length of Audition:	6 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Std power conditioner.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Great tranparency, so chose the analog or digital source with care! A bit weak in the very high. No remote control (but is it really sad?).
Product Strengths:	Unbelivable truthness tone, large sound spectrum, firm and powerfull bass, ability to expose each melodic line. Seems to be inexhaustible. Have some of the good tubes qualities.