Upgrading from Rega Apollo to Rega Saturn CD??

Rega is being a bit contradictory about the Apollo R's performance IMO. From their website...

"...an ideal ‘CD format’ front-end for the Rega DAC."
So does that mean that the DAC will imporve the sound of the Apollo R? Sound to me like that's the case.

But later they say...

"The DAC and the output amplifier of the Apollo-R have been enhanced using the Wolfson WM8742 digital to analogue converter, the same integrated circuit found in the Rega DAC."
Does that mean the Apollo R and DAC sound the same? I'd imagine their would be less jitter in a dedicated CDP than a transport to DAC, if all things are equal. So do they mean the Apollo is at least as good as the DAC?

Maybe it's salesmanship - let people who think the Apollo R and DAC combo will sound better buy that, and let people who think the Apollo R and DAC sound the same buy the Apollo R.

The only answer will be a demo.

Also, the Apollo R may narrow the gap between the Apollo and Saturn, as Paul Darwin of Rega has said the Mira and Saturn will be updated in the future. They'll be full sized boxed. I'm assuming the the hierarchy in sound quality will be Apollo R, DAC, and new Saturn. They'd be stupid not to have it that way IMO - start out with an Apollo, add the DAC for better sound, then buy a Saturn for even better sound.

And for the record, I think Apollo R is a stupid designation. The R designation made sense on the Brio, as it was the first one to use a remote (I think that's what they said/implied the R is for). The Apollo has always had a remote. But I have no training in component naming, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. I'm sure the minds at Rega considered this.

Also...

When the new Saturn comes out, I'm sure the current Saturn's price will drop a good amount. Kind of like the Apollo's new price has dropped - it's currently $699 at Music Direct.

The downside to waiting for the new Saturn is no one has any idea when it'll happen. I'dsay a bit later than sooner, but you never know. Rega's been on an update roll lately, which could mean it'll be soon, or could mean that they've been working on everything else and haven't gotten to it yet.

KB, you make some excellent points. It has been a few days since I eyeballed the info on the ApolloR on their website Maybe they should just have called the new Apollo, the Apollo MKII...says enough.

Not knowing when the "new" Saturn will appear will be less an issue, I think, than the RETAIL PRICE of Saturn MKII. They have dropped the price on the old Saturn to $1895. I think the new Saturn price "could" cut two ways: it will possibly be $2095 to $2195....a cool $1000 plus over the ApolloR If so, it will be a head nod to a strugging, but recovering world economy. $1000 easily covers the expense of retooling the old Saturn with their outboarded DAC without any further ungrades. I know,... call me "cynical"

However Rega fans might ask why is the price lower on the so-called much improved Saturn from the original model..... "Look in the back....see if it is made in China". Really cynical!!

If that's the case, then will the DAC in new ApolloR be just a stepdown or lesser version of the outboarded DAC which will be placed in the SaturnMK II???

Considering how the ApolloR compliments the BrioR in size, Rega Central might have decided: "Let's sell the crap out of ApolloR, either by itself, or even better as a package with the BrioR."...And, an $1890 retail for both units looks very tasty to many buyers....especially, when you may get 15% off of that from sales starved brick and mortar shops.

The BrioR does sound very very good, but it is somewhat underpowered. Not having a pre-amp out is its Achilles heal, or just dumb, in anticipation of those wanting more power. Geez, I could easily envision a BrioPA of 125-150RMS on the drawing boards at Rega Central

I think that the difference between the Rega DAC and Rega Apollo-R is the number of Wolfson WM8742 chips in them. I believe that the new Apollo-R uses one chip and the outboard DAC uses 2 Chips in differential mode (like the Saturn uses).

I would say add the Rega DAC to your Apollo. This should improve the sound.

I am pretty sure you will NOT see made in China on the back of the new Saturn, when that time comes.

I think the suggestions that a few others made of adding the Rega Dac to your current Apollo is a great option for you.

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Taylor
www.goldprintaudio.com