The Article
Updated Rega Brio Integrated Amplifier: Make-Over plus headphone socket
6th February 2017
The 50W (into 8 Ohms) Brio integrated amplifier has a new case to house its improved circuits and parts
It now sits in a fully aluminium two-part case including a headphone socket specially designed to avoid interference with the audio circuit when not in use.
The PCB layout has been fully upgraded to handle higher specifications for all critical parts.
A second power supply has been added to provide further isolation between output stage and the driver stage/line and phono amplifiers.
Higher specification MUSES operational amplifiers have been used in the line and phono amplifier.
Spanning 345 x 216 x 78mm, the new Brio weigh in at 5.1kg.
To learn more, click HERE
I hear it runs rather hot. Still i think this will be my new amp. hopefully i’ll read about it here in the near future. No pressure of course.
I’ll try my best Geoffrey.
I know Paul. I was wondering if this is a problem. But i think the people at rega know their stuff. Years ago when an amp got hot it was usually a bad sign, but now i read this isn’t an issue anymore. And class a always gets hot i believe.
Still i think they could have done better to reduce the heat as this is a class a/b amplifier. It’s the only thing that puts a little doubt in my mind.
Best regards
Hi Paul,
I am on the brink of purchasing the new Brio R. However, the only thing that is holding me back is: there is no sub output… or is there one that I do not see?
Hi Antonio – I can’t recommend it because damage may occur I have yet to try it but I have heard people using the Record Output sockets on the rear of the Rega to connect to a sub. Depending on the sub, you might have to set the volume on the sub and the amp, separately, every time you switch on. As I say, I don’t recommend it, though because of possible damage. You will find that small footprint amps like the Rega and others from Heed and Cyrus do not include sub sockets. The larger amps – such as those from NAD and Cambridge and the like – tend to offer those facilities. If you need buyer’s advice on something other than a Rega, let me know but please supply a budget.
Finally in da house. Absolutely love it. Bold and refined at the same time. Great little amp!
Nice one!
Hai paul, i often go thru ur review.. u always speak the truth and thts something wot i find lacking in some other reviews in various websites. Today i am confused between 2 products .. rega brio and audiolab 6000a .. i have 2pairs of bookshelfs dynaudio emit m20 and denton 80th ann wharfedale.. please help me out.. if there is another option at this price point.. please do suggest me … am mainly looking for an amp.. ie dac is not necessary becoz i have a topping d50s ..
Hi Midhun Рthanks for your kind words. The Rega is an excellent amp and if you did go for that, then you would not be disappointed. I think the Audiolab has the edge though because it retains clarity in the midrange, is packed with detail but it has an unusual tonal balance for the price point. That is, bass is integrated well into the sonic presentation. Most amps under £1k struggle to integrate bass properly. The 6000A does this job well.
Tks paul.. i did an audition yesterday .. i concur same as u said.. rega is exceptionally good.. no doubt .. but it is slightly brighter.. on the other hand audiolab felt musical and slightly on the warmer side without losing details.. i can listen to audilab for hours without fatigue.. bass is not over powering and not bothering midrange freq.. i loved it.. but before buying it i just wanna confirm, is there any other option am missing on.. because my first choice is an amp alone construction because dac (ess 9018) inside audiolab is pretty good.. but i have better dac with me.. topping d50s (ess 9038 q2m) which is really musical and measures awsm too.. so my plan was to find a power amp same like one in audiolab 6000a and a pre amp schiit freya or smthing similar which is a tube amp and add my topping d50s with that. . which will be an outstanding combo but i am struggling to find an amp which is as good as audiolab..
Hi Midhun – a Freya would be nice with something like this as a power amp: https://theaudiophileman.com/edge-a2-300-amplifier-review-xtz/ but the price rockets upwards for the pair. There’s nothing in the price range of the 6000a that competes.
Tks paul..
Hello Paul
Just been checking out a number of your reviews. I was considering pairing this rega brio with some q acoustic 3050i i picked up for a bargain price. I have heard the brio before and was a lovely sounding amp. However was talking to salesperson in a local hifi shop who thought the pairing of the 3050i and bro would sound a bit wooly in the bass. what are your views on this? Did you find this? Were they a good pairing? I don’t have anywhere to audition the two together so would appreciate your advice on this. Thank you.
p.s apologies if this is a double post as the one i did earlier didn’t seem to go through
Hi Carlos – trust your ears on this. If you like the Brio go for that. Or have you not heard them with the 3050i speakers yet? Can you arrange a demo? I tend to like the 6000A because of how it handles bass and its overall tonality – please check out that review here: https://theaudiophileman.com/6000a-integrated-amplifier-review-audiolab/ That said, either amp would be an excellent choice.
Hi Paul,
I was looking back through your amplifier reviews where you assigned a Deeply Groovy Rating of 9 when I realized there doesn’t appear to be any rating at all for the Rega Brio 2017. Only the very best get a 9, such as the Audiolab 6000A, Heed Elixir, and more recently, the XTZ Edge A2-300. Just wondering, did you forget to add your Rating for the Rega Brio 2017, or am I just not looking in the right place?
Regards
Gary
Hi GeeVee – are you referring to this story here? This isn’t a review, it’s just a news item. Hence, there’s no ratings.