Rega Brio R vs Yamaha M2

Good morning,

I recently purchased this Rega Brio R 2017 amplifier and I am not at all satisfied with it (below are the specs):https://ibb.co/WGDchjK

I have been using an old Technics from the mid 70's for years, before the channels failed (it is now being repaired): SU-3500 : https://ibb.co/c14wxSY

And I am using these speakers: https://ibb.co/Wyw6r4k (Rega Rx Five)                                  

Being quite a neophyte, I honestly relied on the advice of my trusted salesperson in purchasing Rega's Brio R, and despite a perception of greater detail in the sound, I was very disappointed with the power and the object itself.

As of today I would be opting, to purchase a Yamaha m2: https://ibb.co/y0zYks7 - https://ibb.co/sQz0v23 with also a c4 preamplifier, and reading the specifications of these items I should have a palpable sound upgrade over the Technics and Rega, both in terms of power and sonic detail. Unfortunately, I remain hesitant because the purchase would be online.

Below I leave you with a few considerations read between the two amplifiers to understand from you as well whether indeed the sonic upgrade might be important.                                                                    

Rega Brio-R:

• Integrated Class AB amplifier.
• Output: 50W into 8Ω, 73W into 4Ω.
• Frequency response: 12Hz-43kHz (line); 15Hz-40kHz (phono).
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 90 dB (line), 75 dB (phono).
• Power consumption: 195W.
• Inputs: Line, MM phono, headphone output.

Yamaha M2:

• Dedicated power amplifier.
• Output: 244W into 8Ω, 380W into 4Ω.
• Frequency response: 0-100kHz.
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 127 dB.
• Connections: Line input, dual speaker outputs.
• Notable for low distortion (0.003%).

Here’s a key comparison between the Rega Brio-R and Yamaha M2 amplifiers:

• Output Power: The Yamaha M2 (244W into 8Ω) significantly outperforms the Rega Brio-R (50W into 8Ω).
• Frequency Range: The Yamaha M2 has a wider range (0-100kHz) compared to the Rega Brio-R’s 12Hz-43kHz.
• Distortion: The Yamaha M2 offers very low total harmonic distortion (0.003%) compared to the typical 0.03% of the Brio-R.
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: The Yamaha M2 is quieter (127 dB) compared to the Brio-R’s 90 dB (line input).
• Purpose: The Brio-R is an integrated amplifier with built-in phono and headphone outputs, while the M2 is a dedicated power amplifier designed for high-performance systems. This makes the Yamaha M2 suitable for powerful, high-fidelity systems, while the Rega Brio-R is an excellent choice for compact systems needing versatile inputs.

In terms of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD):

• Yamaha M2: Has an incredibly low THD of 0.003% (measured at 1 kHz), making it extremely precise and ideal for high-fidelity sound reproduction.
• Rega Brio-R: Has a typical THD of 0.03% (measured over a range of 22Hz-22kHz, 1 dB below clipping), still quite good but higher than the M2, reflecting its more compact, integrated design. Overall, the Yamaha M2 provides greater purity and clarity with significantly lower THD, especially in demanding audio setups.

Damping Factor / Signal-to-Noise Ratio:

• Yamaha M2: Damping factor of 200, indicating very tight control over speaker movement, enhancing bass precision and overall clarity. Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): 127 dB, providing exceptional noise rejection for a very clean audio signal.
• Rega Brio-R: Damping factor: Not specified, though integrated amplifiers generally have lower values than standalone power amplifiers like the Yamaha. Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): 90 dB for line inputs, good but offering less noise isolation than the Yamaha M2. The Yamaha M2’s higher SNR and damping factor generally deliver clearer sound with less distortion.

Frequency Response Comparison Between Yamaha M2 and Rega Brio-R:

• Yamaha M2: From 0 Hz to 100,000 Hz (±0.5 dB), with an extended range capturing nearly all audible frequencies and some inaudible ones. This broad response supports precise sound reproduction across the spectrum.
• Rega Brio-R: From 12 Hz to 43,000 Hz (line) and 15 Hz to 40,000 Hz (phono), still very wide, covering the entire audible range but not as extended as the Yamaha’s. The Yamaha M2 has a slightly broader frequency range, indicating the potential for more detail, especially at very high frequencies.