ARRIVED: new Rega DAC

[nicoch46]

me too!

 

[Krutsch]

With the arrival of the new Rega DAC , I picked up a new original Rega DAC for half price after scouring the net for reviews of it and comparable models. I am feeding it via an Ibasso dx90 coaxial into the Rega and then into a Fatman 202 Valve Amp (with NOS Tungsol 6550s) into Revolver 3 speakers.

Wow - it sounds good, really good, straight out of the box.

Organic sounding, warm analogue but never muddy and very transparent. Great separation.& more detail being discovered in recordings that I have "known" for years. Step change in sound quality.

I am not surprised that it has had such good reviews and that it bettered many more expensive machines.

It isn't a flashy machine, simple interface but it just seems to do what it should do, ie reproduce music in a very natural manner and there is nothing to dislike with it.

Grab yourself a bargain, while you can.

 
+1 ... did something similar, last weekend, at a local dealer. Love this thing.

 

[WarrenR]

Still got mine from 2011.  Its a very special DAC with a special quality of making music sound great.  OK its not the most revealing DAC but its got a liquid type sound that I just love.  
 
Anyone picking this up at half price has got a great deal 

 

[Sorrodje]

Yup Definitely a great dac. Colored but good

 

[abvolt]

Not sure where people are getting this unit for half price, the best I can find is 200 off not bad, even though it is  nearly 4 years old it should be half price..

 

[schneller]

Colored in what way? Anyone heard the new REGA DAC-R?

 

[Krutsch]

  Colored in what way? Anyone heard the new REGA DAC-R?

Black or Silver.  Just kidding... 
 
I would recommend reading the Stereophile May 2011 review (Google it). IMO, it's a bizarre collection of opinions, but read the manufacturer's comments at the end, which nicely summarizes things.
 
FWIW, I think this DAC walks on water, but you may want to consider a USB-SPDIF converter for USB input (especially for higher res tracks, if you are into those).
 
I'm not sure the DAC-R is out yet - my local dealer said they are coming early in '15.

 

[Sorrodje]

  Colored in what way? Anyone heard the new REGA DAC-R?

 
To my ears at least , the Rega has a kind of slight coloration in the mids and in the lows. it brings a bit more euphonia and warmth . It's slight but obvious when you compare to a more neutral dac.

 

[schneller]

A little more warmth in the mids and bass is exactly what I want. How does this compare to Schiit Gungnir sound?

My 3 way choice may likely be TeddyPardo DAC vs. REGA DAC-R vs. Schiit Gungnir USB2.

 

[Krutsch]

A little more warmth in the mids and bass is exactly what I want. How does this compare to Schiit Gungnir sound?

My 3 way choice may likely be TeddyPardo DAC vs. REGA DAC-R vs. Schiit Gungnir USB2.

There really is more to it than that... it's musical in a way that's hard to describe, but I encourage you to find a dealer and audition one for yourself. Take a chance, you won't be sorry (and no, I don't work for Rega

 ).

 

[schneller]

Anyone know if the REGA DAC needs power via USB from the PC? Or can the PC send data only?

 

[Krutsch]

  Anyone know if the REGA DAC needs power via USB from the PC? Or can the PC send data only?

The Rega has its own power supply (and a high quality one, at that).

 

[schneller]

 
The Rega has its own power supply (and a high quality one, at that).

 
So you think I can kill the power going to my PC USB port and have it output data to the DAC only? I can do this with the 'DAC-UP' port on my Gigabyte motherboard as a way of sending 'clean' signal to the DAC.

 

[Sorrodje]

You can try . I don't remember if the embedded USB input was powered by the internal power unit or through the PC output.
 
In my experience the USB input of the Rega was not impressive and I would not be definitely affirmative but its seems I heard improvements ( more dynamics then more detail and clarity) with an externa USB to SPIF converter . Maybe it's an option to consider

 

[schneller]

  You can try . I don't remember if the embedded USB input was powered by the internal power unit or through the PC output.
 
In my experience the USB input of the Rega was not impressive and I would not be definitely affirmative but its seems I heard improvements ( more dynamics then more detail and clarity) with an externa USB to SPIF converter . Maybe it's an option to consider

 
They just released a new DAC-R with overhauled USB input...