Naim XS3 or Elicit-R to replace ELex-R


I'm wanting to upgrade my integrated to a more refined unit. I currently have the Elex-R driving Dynaudio Focus 110 (the older version) and want something with a bit more refinement and bass grip as the Elex can be a tad loose. THe Elex power is sufficent so a jump in wattage not really necessary. I'm considering the new Naim XS3 or the Rega Elicit-R.   Both in my budget of $3K and both have a phono which I need.

Any thoughts appreciated.
128x128sndsrtaud
I used to own naim nac 152xs and nap 155xs. One of the replacement i considered was a rega elicit r. The naim gives
bigger wider soundstage whereas the elicit r have a more
3d presentation, rega also have a lower noise floor. Naim will give you a wall of sound akin to a live music, it is big and fast sounding;
 rega is more detailed and should have been fantastic if
not for its “small voicing” presentation.

rega also runs very hot.
Well, I was able to find an Elicit-R on Audiogon and purchased it.  Build quality was excellent. The sound, however, was very unlike the Elex-R or the Brio I owned several years ago.  It did not have the Rega "sound" I was used to.  While it did flesh out some more detail in the music and a tad more grunt in the bass, the sonics were on the lean side. Maybe what seattle_mike heard about.  Anyway, the Elicit-R is gone. I may go back to the Elex-R, but I'm going to try to audition the Exposure 2510. 

I have the Elicit R driving klipsch Cornwall 4 speakers. Not sure why so many claim the amp to be lean. Not at all. To many people on this forum read reviews and pass along one persons opinion. The best advice anyone could give is to try it for yourself. If you read reviews and base purchasing on them you will never be able to find your Nirvana!

” Hyper-detailed” LOL what the heck does that mean? Maybe you should throw a blanket over your speakers. I’m going to buy a less detailed amp. LMAO

Its fun to try new things. But asking for opinions on sound is like asking how food tastes. It’s a very personal thing.

Well to each his or her own.

why not listen to them yourself ? You‘re the guy who‘s going to end up wearing the outcome of the choice you make, not any of the posters here.

I used to buy the new Elicit R and did not accept the sound. Sold out quickly.

The designer in Rega must be different person.