New Rega Elicit Integrated - Opinions

Hi Fillmoor, may I ask if your Rega Elicit has the optional built-in MM or MC phonostage? If it has, I would appreciate if you can let me know whether you have tried any quality outboard phonostage with your analogue rig. I currently have my Rega P5 connected to the Elicit utilizing the built-in MC phonostage. I was curious if a better quality phonostage like the EAR 834 will bring substantial improvement to the sound. Your advice would be most appreciated.

One of the reasons I got my Elicit was ease of use- to have the onboard phono option. Mine is the Moving magnet- I use with a Rega Cartridge. I have not used the onboard MC option. Outboard phono stages can be a step up or down over an onboard one. Being outboard does not automatically make it superior. I'd say Regas own IOS phono preamp or The EAR unit might be worth your while if you play alot of records. Think about how much it will cost, how much use it will get, how and where you'll install it, needing the extra wires etc. I always heard good things about the EAR but never had a chance to sample one.

Thanks for your response. I recently just tried a Rotel RQ-970BX outboard phonostage and to my ears there isn't any significant audible difference between the two. In fact both sound so alike that I would probably have mixed up both in a double-blind test. This experience has proven that the built-in MC phonostage in the Elicit is of pretty high quality. I was informed that the Elicit's phonostage is almost similar to the Rega Fono except that the Fono is a more elaborate piece being an outboard unit. Most likely I will stick with the Elicit's phonostage until I figure out which better phonostage to get. I'd probably try a Dynavector P75MkII sometime down the road. The Rega IOS is too costly for what I am willing to fork out. Maybe I'll try a different cartridge instead. By the way, I only have less than 50 records in my collection.

Well Ryder your post reminded me of a comparison we did in the early 90's when my friend brought over a Creek OBH to compare against the stage already in my Adcom pre-amp. He thought it would be no contest. Suprisingly The onboard Adcom stage was smoother, quieter and more musical. I once tried a Lehman black cube external and did not like that one either (too "analytical"). The Elicit onboard MM stage is neither warm, nor too dry, and not optimally quiet but plenty good enough. For me it's easier to change cartridges if I want tonal warmth, or more detail or whatever. Btw there is a nice review of the Rega Elicit here http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/rega/elicit.html, this is the most informative I have read so far. It was largely in line with my perception. The bass reach is very good for a medium powered integrated, yet it is a very even response without over plumpness. Detail is good, not seperated into the spotlight. The temporal aspect of the music is coherent. The tonality is a touch warm, but I dont hear it as being euphonic warmth. There is not the seductive sweetness that tube amps give to certain instruments (saxophone, piano, female voice), up in the treble the Elicit is cleaner than most tube amps, the midrange is musical and well ordered, in the bass there is no contest- the Elicit will insult a good lot of tube amps.

Hi Filmoor,

Thanks for the input on phonostage. Just to update, I have pitted another outboard phonostage with the onboard MC phono of my Elicit. I have to agree with you that the built-in phonostage of the Rega is a pretty good unit on its own. Although the outboard phonostage gave more bite, energy and detail to the sound(which impressed at first), the midrange and highs were found to be slightly rough and grainy after a while. After a few listening sessions I find myself gravitating to the smoother and coherent sound of the Rega's onboard phonostage. There will be other excellent(and costly) phonostages out there but there can be no end hunting for the ideal one, not to mention the quality and sonics of the Rega's phono are already quite brilliant.

I have done extensive research on the Rega Elicit and have read the 6moons review prior to purchasing the Elicit. It is good that you have included the link here. Since the link has a comma at the end which made it inaccessible, here is the review of the Elicit for those who might be interested in the unit. http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/rega/elicit_3.html

I have reread the review again. This review is definitely spot-on, especially the comments made in the conclusion. The reviewer definitely hits the nail on the head there. Most points are valid, especially the comment on more openness and resolution in treble that can be found elsewhere. I have recently pitted the Leben CS600 against the Elicit and find the Rega to be slightly warm and shut-in in the midrange and highs compared to the more open and transparent Leben. However, the cohesiveness, full midrange and seamless treble(although slightly lacking in air) aim for long-term satisfaction rather than short-term thrills. The owner of the Leben has mentioned that the Leben can sound a little too lean with some musical material. The bass slam and dynamics of the Elicit did not disappoint and are superior to the Leben CS600.

Your perception(and of the 6moons reviewer) on the Elicit largely mirrors mine. Good bass(beats the much highly-touted Leben tube unit), good detail without exaggeration, good coherency, tonality a touch warm and overall good musicality. A good all-rounder for those looking for a good powerful SS integrated with phono option who don't want to venture into tubes or the heat of Class A amps.