REGA EAR

[pbirkett]

This amp does not get mentioned much but I am now in the market for an inexpensive amp, and wondered how this amp sounds. I know at least one member (Alex Alforter) has one, but am hoping that maybe a few others have heard them.

I want to know what kind of sound the amp has, is it good quality, lively etc, and comparison to other amps would be good.

Thanks

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbirkett This amp does not get mentioned much but I am now in the market for an inexpensive amp, and wondered how this amp sounds. I know at least one member (Alex Alforter) has one, but am hoping that maybe a few others have heard them. I want to know what kind of sound the amp has, is it good quality, lively etc, and comparison to other amps would be good. Thanks

pm Tom Hankins. He had one and I know he told me it was surprisingly good.

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sacd lover pm Tom Hankins. He had one and I know he told me it was surprisingly good.

Now that I think about it, I know Tom has heard the perreaux and thought the perreaux was better than the rega. I know he thought the gilmore v1 and PPA were better than the perreaux. I know he likes the ppx3 better than any of these. I hope this gives you some perspective from someone who owned the rega.

 

[tom hankins]

For around 200.00 new the rega is good. It is more lively than the Perreaux. Still slightly warm though. It has better bass extention (from memory) than the Perreaux. I like the Perreaux better but at twice the cost....NO. the PPA is on a whole different level than either of them. But they are all so different(PPA's) who knows what I would think about the next one I hear. The price of cost is well over 500.00 for the one I heard. For under 500.00 if you want to boogy...only choice for me would be the PPX3.
If I only had 200.00 to spend and needed an amp. I would get another Rega.

 

[TheMuffinMan_01]

i JUST heard it today, and with my cd3k's, it was alot harsher and brighter and alot less warm than my perreaux. another guy with a much more experienced ear thought the rega was better with dt770 pro's than the perreaux, but still prefered the perreaux to the rega with the cd3k's.

 

[pbirkett]

Thanks for the interesting comments, although I have to admit that I am tempted by one of these tube amps, maybe it is just what I am looking for...

 

[zimmer]

I have an Ear and have found it to be a very capable amp. I got it because of its reasonable price, having felt that many previous high ticket audio purchases were not worth the extra expense.... which only means that it is a matter of time before I throw myself into the drink again!
So I can really relate the piece to many other amps - I thought it might be a safe match for my Naim CD3. I'll tell you this - it is a cheap amp to try K1000s with - it will drive them.

OT Paul - I liked your old avatar on zerogain.com better

 

[pbirkett]

I take it you are on about the bouncing boobs I had on there for a while?

 

[zimmer]

yep

 

[Alex Altorfer]

Zimmer,

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimmer I'll tell you this - it is a cheap amp to try K1000s with - it will drive them.

What!? Man! Do not tempt me this way! How do the K 1000s sound with the Rega Ear? Do they sound any good? Does the Ear drive them well or does it just 'drive' them?

Cheers,
Alex

 

[cansman]

The Rega ear is great - tight, dynamic and very transparent. But it takes a long time to run in. It has loads of power. You do need to have a great source though - because it will show up faults.

Of course if you use a Rega CD Player and the Rega Couple interconnect - the synergy will be fantastic.

I'm currently using it with the ER-4S - really quick, clear, with excellent decay. No harshness in the highs in my opinion.

It's fully discrete, servo-driven and has high quality Evox caps and an Alps volume pot - Simply excellent for the money.

 

[chrisczarra]

The rega allows for some easy DIY mods which will significantly improve the sound. It does have tons of gain, which is a slight problem with low impedence cans like Grados.

 

[adhoc]

you might want to pm hempcamp too.

speaking of him.. where has hempcamp been anyway??

 

[Alex Altorfer]

Cansman,

Quote:

Originally Posted by cansman The Rega ear is great - tight, dynamic and very transparent. But it takes a long time to run in. It has loads of power. You do need to have a great source though - because it will show up faults. Of course if you use a Rega CD Player and the Rega Couple interconnect - the synergy will be fantastic.

I agree. The synergy with the Rega Planet 2000, and with the HD 580s for that matter, is superb.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cansman It's fully discrete, servo-driven and has high quality Evox caps and an Alps volume pot - Simply excellent for the money.

Fully discrete? What's that opamp doing in there in the middle of it?

Cheers,
Alex

 

[Alex Altorfer]

Adhoc,

Quote:

Originally Posted by adhoc you might want to pm hempcamp too. speaking of him.. where has hempcamp been anyway??

Hempcamp has throughly modded his Ear, rolling both opamps and caps. He's been away from the forum ever since his birthday thread I think.

Cheers,
Alex