Never been a fan of the Rega brand ,I always felt it was old school in its looks,but now it's bang up to date it's got me thinking about my next hifi systems.great video as always keep up the good work
So what does it sound like? A not quite so good Aethos, a better Elex-R, or a bit of both? Is the DAC as good as the old one you mentioned? What speakers would you recommend? Thanks.
Great review. I never really cared too much about the previous Elicit-R but now I could see myself living with the MK5. It would be a nice upgrade from the Elex-R, especially that it now shares more of its sound signature. I could use the extra wattage to power my ATC speakers. The only drawback is the addition of the dac which I don't really care for. I hope it doesn't affect the price too much.
Phil you should try and reply once in a while. I think some would say this is more of an overview than a review, as you made no mention as to how it actually sounds, apart from the fact the previous version sounded nothing like the rest of the range.
Hi Phil, I think you have something good going here. By pitching these products you’re letting folk know about new gear as it actually lands and saving yourself the problem of repeating yourself. I don’t see anything wrong with this approach as you’re not attempting to pass yourself off as an impartial reviewer. How about telling us the price and what the potential alternatives are? Also, maybe suggest some specific complementary components with reasons why they would be appropriate? One slight fly in the ointment. I can’t believe you’re actually going to make a contribution to your bottom line by selling advertising on your UA-cam channel, so how about ditching the adverts? It would make such a refreshing change from all of the mainstream hi-fi channels, who in the main make no money from the industry. All the best.
The Elicit R the previous model was excellent and have used one for 4 yrs in a mainly Rega system. Beautiful warm sound with good drive and superior IMO for the most part to previous iterations of most Rega amps which I've owned. The main issue is Elicit R was( as Phil mentioned) highly biased in Class A and ran extremely hot which probably contributed to sonic goodness. Mine started thermal tripping after long listening sessions and I was leaving it on most of the time because the longer it was on it sounded so damn good:). Had to send it last year to the U.S. authorized repair man for a rebias and some part replacement. He informed this was known issue with the Elcit R as it ran very hot. His advice is don't leave it on 24/7 and have good ventilation. My inderstanding is this contributed to it being replaced by a new model. I'll admit to being abit dubious about the new version having a headphone amp (mass market compromises) and a dac and it's impact on performance but Rega seem to know what they're doing:)
I do not know if it is helpful but I found raising my Elexr up on blocks- actually cylindrical shaped wood, lowered the temperature far more effectively than having clearance on the sides & top. They really seem to need to have air flowing all around.
I just replaced my Elex-R with the new Elicit MK5 and I find it runs very hot 🔥. I hope I won't run into any problems. But I find it to be a very nice upgrade from the Elex-R. It has a much richer sound. And the dac and headphones output are much better than I would have expected. I'm very pleased with it.
Thanks for the great review Phil. Talk about timing as I'm looking to upgrade my Elex-R this summer! I'm curious to hear your thoughts and to listen to how it compares against the Sugden A21. The digital input of the Rega appeals for linking up my TV for movie nights but sound quality for my vinyl would be my priority. I'll be in touch soon 🙂
I'm in the same boat, David. Looking at both the new Elicit V and the A21-SE. Having owned the Brio, Elex-R and Elicit-R, my experience was identical to Phil's. Now, I'm looking to get my final system (I'm 67 now) and the Elex-R may be where I go, unless I can justify spending the extra $$ for the new V. I also see Rega has a replacement for the Saturn, which looks interesting.
I owned the rega dac for a while and didn't like it at all, very hard digital edge on notes, triggered my tinnitus, even with warm tube amps. Switched over to NOS dacs, a world of difference in a good way :) I own the elicit-r at the moment, and I do enjoy the fine adjustments that can be made on with the volume control. Do have to mention that I always use the remote control. Compared to the brio-r for example, that one was always a tad too loud or a bit to quiet.. The elicit-r does it just right! Seems we have quite contrasting opinions haha.
Hey Phil, is the volume control of the Elicit as sensitive as with the Aethos? The volume control of the Aethos is way to sensitive if I use the remote control. The sound of the Aethos is outstanding by the way! 😊
I don't have any experience with the Elicit, but I did a comparison between the Rega Elex-r and the Naim Nait 5si, with Monitor Audio, and in that setup I found the Rega to sound much leaner compared to the Naim. Sounds like the Elicit has a slightly warmer presentation to the Elex-r.
I have a Mk4, and I assume the remote hasn't changed much - I have 2 issues: 1) I only need 2 buttons for volume - do I really have to have and pay for 45 buttons in total!? 2) The button right next to 'Volume Down' is 'Direct'. Which, I believe will bypass the volume control and provide full amplifier power (100W) to the speakers? That seems like an accident waiting to happen, and I'm not prepared to risk it, so I don't use my remote anymore. Still love the amp though.
I had the Elex r and currently trying the Elex mk4 and Elicit r in my system and though the Elex mk4 is nicer sounding than the Elex r, I like the Elicit r better. Is the Elicit mk5 and upgrade over the Elicit r? Does it have a bit more bass?
I am deciding between elex and elicit. Used to have elitic r many years ago, now use brio-r and want to upgrade. I do not have any dacs, i use bloototh reciever from Arcam, which is more than enough. Elicit itself was good, definitely better than brio, but not by much.
Streaming is not for me,,,I like owning and the superior sound of CDs for me is a no brainer. I have owned the Elicit R for a few years paired with a Leema Antila CD player and through Yamaha NS 1000 M speakers . A great sound and i have no intention of changing to the mk 5 a
Read up on it, but no tone controls?, which is disappointing. The folks at rega, and this guy, say it's got excellent sound reproduction, but I doubt any of them were in on the final mix on anything they're listening to. Does not make sense to me, but that's why I have a Creek. Absurd price.
In the US ,the price for this amp after import tax,duty, distribution etc, is quite a bit higher than 1999 pounds. That said, in the UK I can't imagine that this isn't a fair price, if not a great deal. They are awesome products from a great company.
@Timothy Freeseha look man, the price is absurd with no tone controls, and I'll provide examples If needed. The idea that we have not been at war for 20 years (apparently your opinion) is also absurd. Hearing impairment for those that have served are very real. I've been a musician for 40 years, and rega has no business telling me what to hear based on the frequency dimishishments all of us have experienced over the last 20 years. So hey Tim, you chose to respond to me, a vet, and you are waaaay off base for vets in the UK as well as the US. Do better.
Exactly what are you talking when you say people who like Chord DACs, do so because of specs. You sound like you have no idea what you are talking about and just made that up. What specs that according to you have nothing to do with sound, makes people buy Chord DACs? Or what specs which mean nothing, make them buy Chord? Saying you 'don't get on with' Chord DACs, is enough to make me stop watching. Well, since Chord won every award on the planet. ... That comes across as disingenuous. ...and the half-width Rega DAC you could not recall the name of, is the Rega DAC. (Followed by Rega DAC-R.) You didn't exactly prepare this video.
I think he is referring to the measurement crowd verses sound quality crowd. Arguably , there are many audio enthusiasts who will claim that one determines the other. Then, as you point out, he may not have prepared
@@timothyfreeseha4056 I think Chord DAC's biggest problem is getting people to listen to them for long enough. For some people Chord DACs take about a month to fully adjust to. In my opinion the best way to test a new Chord DAC audition, is listen to music that you do not know. It's not arguable that some of the measurements that Chord claim about their DACs. Higher signal to noise ratio, and lower distortion, is where a lot of sound quality is at. (As even the minutest noise interfering with the output analogue, will affect the music.) Given that even the Mojo or Mojo2 does more processing per sample interpolation than other DACs way more expensive. There's most of the rest of the sound quality equation.
I like your polite way to give your impressions. Moreover, you looks a very honest reviewer. Thanks for your videos 😊
Never been a fan of the Rega brand ,I always felt it was old school in its looks,but now it's bang up to date it's got me thinking about my next hifi systems.great video as always keep up the good work
So what does it sound like? A not quite so good Aethos, a better Elex-R, or a bit of both? Is the DAC as good as the old one you mentioned? What speakers would you recommend? Thanks.
The best review, thank you!
Great sales pitch!
Great review. I never really cared too much about the previous Elicit-R but now I could see myself living with the MK5. It would be a nice upgrade from the Elex-R, especially that it now shares more of its sound signature. I could use the extra wattage to power my ATC speakers. The only drawback is the addition of the dac which I don't really care for. I hope it doesn't affect the price too much.
Nice looking unit and quality review. Thanks.
More of an overview really as sound quality, speaker matching, etc, etc, wasn’t mentioned.
@@doifeellucky he did kind of detail the DAC angle.
It would be good to see a review of the Roksan Blak on this channel, few and far between on UA-cam.
Phil you should try and reply once in a while. I think some would say this is more of an overview than a review, as you made no mention as to how it actually sounds, apart from the fact the previous version sounded nothing like the rest of the range.
Hi Phil, I think you have something good going here. By pitching these products you’re letting folk know about new gear as it actually lands and saving yourself the problem of repeating yourself. I don’t see anything wrong with this approach as you’re not attempting to pass yourself off as an impartial reviewer.
How about telling us the price and what the potential alternatives are? Also, maybe suggest some specific complementary components with reasons why they would be appropriate?
One slight fly in the ointment. I can’t believe you’re actually going to make a contribution to your bottom line by selling advertising on your UA-cam channel, so how about ditching the adverts? It would make such a refreshing change from all of the mainstream hi-fi channels, who in the main make no money from the industry.
All the best.
It looks beautiful. I’m really keen on this amp, thinking of moving up from my elex r.
The Elicit R the previous model was excellent and have used one for 4 yrs in a mainly Rega system. Beautiful warm sound with good drive and superior IMO for the most part to previous iterations of most Rega amps which I've owned. The main issue is Elicit R was( as Phil mentioned) highly biased in Class A and ran extremely hot which probably contributed to sonic goodness. Mine started thermal tripping after long listening sessions and I was leaving it on most of the time because the longer it was on it sounded so damn good:). Had to send it last year to the U.S. authorized repair man for a rebias and some part replacement. He informed this was known issue with the Elcit R as it ran very hot. His advice is don't leave it on 24/7 and have good ventilation. My inderstanding is this contributed to it being replaced by a new model. I'll admit to being abit dubious about the new version having a headphone amp (mass market compromises) and a dac and it's impact on performance but Rega seem to know what they're doing:)
I do not know if it is helpful but I found raising my Elexr up on blocks- actually cylindrical shaped wood, lowered the temperature far more effectively than having clearance on the sides & top. They really seem to need to have air flowing all around.
I just replaced my Elex-R with the new Elicit MK5 and I find it runs very hot 🔥. I hope I won't run into any problems. But I find it to be a very nice upgrade from the Elex-R. It has a much richer sound. And the dac and headphones output are much better than I would have expected. I'm very pleased with it.
@thebestoffools could not agree more as I am a happy owner for about 1 month. More than happy.
Thanks for the great review Phil. Talk about timing as I'm looking to upgrade my Elex-R this summer!
I'm curious to hear your thoughts and to listen to how it compares against the Sugden A21. The digital input of the Rega appeals for linking up my TV for movie nights but sound quality for my vinyl would be my priority. I'll be in touch soon 🙂
I'm in the same boat, David. Looking at both the new Elicit V and the A21-SE. Having owned the Brio, Elex-R and Elicit-R, my experience was identical to Phil's. Now, I'm looking to get my final system (I'm 67 now) and the Elex-R may be where I go, unless I can justify spending the extra $$ for the new V. I also see Rega has a replacement for the Saturn, which looks interesting.
I’d go with an A21-SE. That amp is something special and has as natural and coherent a midrange as you’re likely to find at any price.
I owned the rega dac for a while and didn't like it at all, very hard digital edge on notes, triggered my tinnitus, even with warm tube amps. Switched over to NOS dacs, a world of difference in a good way :)
I own the elicit-r at the moment, and I do enjoy the fine adjustments that can be made on with the volume control. Do have to mention that I always use the remote control. Compared to the brio-r for example, that one was always a tad too loud or a bit to quiet.. The elicit-r does it just right!
Seems we have quite contrasting opinions haha.
May be moving from my Naim Nait XS to this unit. I need a DAC and more power and Rega is a great company
Hi, I have a Elex r and I was wondering if the Elicit MK 5 sends much more current to the speakers compared to the Elex r?
Hey Phil, is the volume control of the Elicit as sensitive as with the Aethos? The volume control of the Aethos is way to sensitive if I use the remote control. The sound of the Aethos is outstanding by the way! 😊
I don't have any experience with the Elicit, but I did a comparison between the Rega Elex-r and the Naim Nait 5si, with Monitor Audio, and in that setup I found the Rega to sound much leaner compared to the Naim. Sounds like the Elicit has a slightly warmer presentation to the Elex-r.
On what speakers ?
If you want/need a USB input, buy the matching Saturn MK3. Lovely pair😀
The remote that came with the Elicit R is very responsive when changing tracks and with volume control.
I have a Mk4, and I assume the remote hasn't changed much - I have 2 issues:
1) I only need 2 buttons for volume - do I really have to have and pay for 45 buttons in total!?
2) The button right next to 'Volume Down' is 'Direct'. Which, I believe will bypass the volume control and provide full amplifier power (100W) to the speakers?
That seems like an accident waiting to happen, and I'm not prepared to risk it, so I don't use my remote anymore. Still love the amp though.
I had the Elex r and currently trying the Elex mk4 and Elicit r in my system and though the Elex mk4 is nicer sounding than the Elex r, I like the Elicit r better. Is the Elicit mk5 and upgrade over the Elicit r? Does it have a bit more bass?
Superb sounding amp. More engaging and musical than a Supernait 2
So how does it sound?
The rega dac is the best I’ve ever had
I sold mine years ago, too analytical imho
Do you think the Elex R is better
I am deciding between elex and elicit. Used to have elitic r many years ago, now use brio-r and want to upgrade. I do not have any dacs, i use bloototh reciever from Arcam, which is more than enough. Elicit itself was good, definitely better than brio, but not by much.
I have the brio r , dac r and cd r I was thinking of buying a elex r
I'm getting the impression that the sound is a lot better than the old Elicit....but not quite as good as it could be?
The outgoing Elicit -R was true class A?
Elicit Mk5 vs Exposure 3510?
Rega Elicit mk5 vs Atoll in 100 signature which of the two is the best
Streaming is not for me,,,I like owning and the superior sound of CDs for me is a no brainer.
I have owned the Elicit R for a few years paired with a Leema Antila CD player and through Yamaha NS 1000 M speakers . A great sound and i have no intention of changing to the mk 5 a
Read up on it, but no tone controls?, which is disappointing. The folks at rega, and this guy, say it's got excellent sound reproduction, but I doubt any of them were in on the final mix on anything they're listening to. Does not make sense to me, but that's why I have a Creek. Absurd price.
In the US ,the price for this amp after import tax,duty, distribution etc, is quite a bit higher than 1999 pounds. That said, in the UK I can't imagine that this isn't a fair price, if not a great deal. They are awesome products from a great company.
@Timothy Freeseha look man, the price is absurd with no tone controls, and I'll provide examples If needed. The idea that we have not been at war for 20 years (apparently your opinion) is also absurd. Hearing impairment for those that have served are very real. I've been a musician for 40 years, and rega has no business telling me what to hear based on the frequency dimishishments all of us have experienced over the last 20 years. So hey Tim, you chose to respond to me, a vet, and you are waaaay off base for vets in the UK as well as the US. Do better.
Exactly what are you talking when you say people who like Chord DACs, do so because of specs. You sound like you have no idea what you are talking about and just made that up. What specs that according to you have nothing to do with sound, makes people buy Chord DACs? Or what specs which mean nothing, make them buy Chord?
Saying you 'don't get on with' Chord DACs, is enough to make me stop watching. Well, since Chord won every award on the planet. ... That comes across as disingenuous.
...and the half-width Rega DAC you could not recall the name of, is the Rega DAC. (Followed by Rega DAC-R.)
You didn't exactly prepare this video.
I think he is referring to the measurement crowd verses sound quality crowd. Arguably , there are many audio enthusiasts who will claim that one determines the other.
Then, as you point out, he may not have prepared
@@timothyfreeseha4056 I think Chord DAC's biggest problem is getting people to listen to them for long enough. For some people Chord DACs take about a month to fully adjust to.
In my opinion the best way to test a new Chord DAC audition, is listen to music that you do not know.
It's not arguable that some of the measurements that Chord claim about their DACs. Higher signal to noise ratio, and lower distortion, is where a lot of sound quality is at. (As even the minutest noise interfering with the output analogue, will affect the music.)
Given that even the Mojo or Mojo2 does more processing per sample interpolation than other DACs way more expensive. There's most of the rest of the sound quality equation.
Agreed. I'm inclined to agree that measurements do offer a window into what to expect from sound quality.
Blup blip blu...do I stutter mtf
Muppet