Full Review of Rega Elex Mk4 - is it better than the Mk3? and how does it measure up to the Atoll?

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

Have the outgoing ElexR, which after 6 years continues to exceed my expectations. I imagine the Elex 4 will garner another generation of admirers, even with the included dac module. For myself, the stripped down approach of the 3 was what attracted me to it to begin with.

[@thepickyaudiophile]

Massive fan of the massively underrated Rega DAC! Give it a good digital source and let’s just say my P3/Exact/Aria gets little to no play time.. Tried replacing it with many dacs in its price range over the years (incl. the Ares II), but thay all came up short. Since that’s been discontinued, it’s great to see them to add it to their appropriately priced amps 👍 What I really hope is for Rega to make a standalone DAC that will match the Aethos 🙏🥺🍿

[@kfernandes86]

thats interesting perspective. I also own a Rega DAC and also P3....for a long time I have been contemplating "upgrading" my DAC as I have only owned this DAC and wanted to try something else, one of the options I was considering was Ares II. What do you see as their main differences?

[@walriley48]

Seconded on the Rega DAC. It is a belter. Had my DAC-R for 7 years and it still surprises me with its capabilities.

[@user-mp1lw7vo5y]

This is exactly the question I was asking myself. Cheers guys

[@kkjrees]

Totally agree with you, Rega amps should not have Dacs etc

[@thepickyaudiophile]

Why not?

[@geographyinaction7814]

That is a bit silly to be honest, it's like saying that the internet is a fad and won't catch on, so we shouldn't have computers in ourhomes. I do agree that Rega was always about analog simplicity, but things change, and music platforms have changed too. Reel-to-Reel, vinyl, cassette, 8-track, CD, streaming, MP3...and the old audiophile vinyl as well. CD's and LP's are great for sound and liner notes, but even CD's can sound a bit digital, but with the sheer amount of music out there, you simply cannot turn your back on it. As far as I am concerned, having the DAC as a separate or built-in,makes no difference.

[@papabear1417]

Great episode as usual. Your experience, knowledge and honesty always shine through.

[@Spondoodikins]

I had an Elex 3 for about a year and moved to a Willsenton r8. I was initially shocked as to where the bass had gone but it seems to be there in bags these days. I'd love to swop back and see what I think now as I have a Pontus 11 and the system is better in general. Great amp.

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

Love your honest reviews Phil.

[@jouniseppanen3452]

Thanks, Phil. Based on this review I decided to buy a second hand Atoll AM100 Signature power amp to be used with my iFi Neo DSD DAC/pre. Pairing speakers are my trusty AN J Lx Hemps.

[@Markymarkvinylnut]

Great video Phil, I'll stick with my Naim 5si ith my rega p6 for the moment but great to hear that Rega amps are shooting well.

[@robertmarshall7712]

I tried a Nait 5si and though it initially impressed me, in the end I didn't like it as much as my Denon pma 800ne, which just sounds more rounded and has more sustain in the transients.

[@Gsmiler]

Have you ever spoke about your home system? I'd be interested to know what someone who owns a hifi shop actually chooses to listen to!

[@AnalogueInTheUK]

Yeah. How did you get to where you are now? What kit did you own along the way?

[@monsieurlehigh4912]

It really depends on the combination with speakers. Recently I went for checking out the Spendor A4 and A7 floorstanders, and the Atoll IN100 somehow sounded lifeless and flat with these. Pairing the Atoll with a Dali for instance might give a whole different result.

[@NSE43]

You say, ‘ Hopefully this has been interesting ‘ . Well , yes it has Phil. Even though most of the time I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about . For example what is a DAC ………I’m guessing the D stands for digital ……..then I’m lost. Perhaps you could do a beginners guide video for music enthusiasts with limited knowledge of the murky world of hi fi equipment. Probably the term Hi Fi is back dated …….. Sorry. Anyway , thank you Phil keep them coming I do so enjoy them . Even though I only understand 2% of what you’re saying , in 50 video’s time that will have amounted to 100% Cheers 🥰.

[@markjohnathanappleton8642]

Always informative and interesting videos I've had a bad time cash wise, but when iam ready for hi-fi I will be coming to see you, hopefully soon

[@stephencosta6814]

Very nice review I know your A Rega fan boy I don’t blame you, but it says a lot about Atole that you’re willing to consider it or even prefer it? 👍❤. A big fan New York City, USA.

[@ragkong]

Thanks for a good review 👍🏻

[@shaunprice3219]

Hi like content very interesting videos! I’ve always liked Rega sound, love their turntables and own a P3 now. The thing that stops me from buying an amp is the colour and I know that sounds very superficial but just like the look of silver kit . Got Musical Fidelity M3si, that sounds fantastic, through my Quad speakers.

[@vladimirjovanovic2803]

Very informative review, nice work! Shame I can't audition the Elex, since it's not available in my country. Would like to compare it to my IN100 Sig.

[@frederickpelletier5320]

The new Moon 250i MarkII might be interesting to compare with this these two.

[@julemandn24]

Wonder why no one ever comments on the absolutely horrible scratch magnet the front panel of rega amps are... Such a great, almost perfect product, which such lousy front panel... Would have loved to see a brushed front just like the rest of the chassis.

[@andrewharwood6901]

Great review as always. Have you reviewed the Aya speakers and do you think they would go with this amp and a P3 50. Personal preferences aside.

[@hanzel-fb7jo]

Some people have mentioned that the MK4 have lost some grunt and muscle compared to the MK3. Adding additional digital circuit must have had some influence, isn’t that unavoidable?

[@fernandocoutinho6661]

I moved from Brio 2017 to Elex-r and now to the mk4. Used it for a month. I can confirm this. I will actually go back to the mk3 at the earliest opportunity. Sad that i assumed the newer model would be better. it’s not. It has leaner sound with sharp edges that I cannot stand. the old version paired beautifully with LS3/5a, the newer model is unusable…and i am a rega fan…the internal dac is nice but not good enough to match 1300e amplifier.

[@mrt1878]

The addition of digital to the Rega Elex has had no discernible effect on this wonderful amp. The mark 4 is a level above the Elex r and better than the Elicit r imo. Musicality, control, tempo, all their in abundance. The Mark 4 is punching way above its price point. Top amp.

[@TheNorliss]

Hey Phil, thanks for this. I'm not sure if it's the device you're using to film yourself or the export settings in your NLE, but the image is really overly compressed. It's like web video circa 2004 and should be pretty easy to improve. Happy to help you with that as I enjoy your vids.

[@markmallinson935]

Was the Elicit R considered bright? I had one driving a pair of Tannoy Revolution 8Xt’s and it was definitely harsh in the top end, I replaced it with a Parasound Halo integrated which was better. I can see why people would purchase Rega, maybe they are better suited to soft dome tweeters….?

[@gregsmall8774]

How does the Marantz 8006 compare would be good

[@rudran65]

Hi, i hope you have reviewed Atoll in 100 amp too. Why this Rega Elex r is much expensive as comp to Rega

[@L0ngLiveRnR]

How does the Rega Elex compare to the Roksan K3? Dont want analytical sterile sounds... but sure do enjoy lots of fine detail!

[@lextr3110]

Atoll external box design is clearly a lot nicer tho

[@michaelgatti3811]

Very nice comparison. Would you pair one over the other with Dynaudio special 40s...mostly low to mid level volume listening?

[@dimitriskontos858]

Ηi. How it compares to the exposure 2510 ?

[@davidparry2301]

Nice review Would either of these improve my budget system: Cd source Amp Nad 326bee Speakers b&w 607s2 At the moment I push the treble right up, mids seem recessed and highs could be a tad sharper Or am I getting pretty much all I can from the speaker amp combo I have ?

[@vincentduke]

Amazing video... I had a really bad experience with an Elex R bought last year. Panels were 46° after less than ten minutes, activation of the securities... So, I'm waiting for the MK4. Actually, I was waiting... After your video, I don't know. What's the best, a MK4 or an Atoll with the preamp card? I only listen to vinyl with a Technics 1500.

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

My Rega Elex could run very warm after a few minutes with a Klipsch Heresy 3. The impedance with that speaker is all over the place and proved challenging. Not so much with other speakers tho. If you do revisit a rega amp, consider putting risers underneath the amp. I've used isoaccoustics under mine and it runs considerably cooler regardless of volume or music. A little distance from the surface below/ above/ to the sides allows it to shake off heat, and the risers are not noticeable. The Elexr is a great amp, and- aside from the heat, is a lot of fun with the Heresys.

[@bruunm1975]

Currently running a Brio-R, Previous version. I run into a pair of Focal Chora 826. And at times it feel I’m not getting enough low end. I’m not listening super loud usually. But it’s thin at lower end. Do you think this would be able to have more bass/fuller lower end? Cheers from downunder.

[@Johnny32156]

Would it be good combo with monitor audio silver 100, or something else would be better choice

[@itsmorphed6416]

I have a roksan k3 with silver 100 7g . Monitor audio now own Roksan so the gear matches well together

[@RonRivet]

I`m like you and don`t like the added onboard dac and headphone amp. I used to have the Elex r mk3 and liked it, then went to the Elicit r and really like it a lot. Do you think the Elex r mk4 would be nicer than the Elicit r?(not MK5)

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

I’d take the atoll all day long

[@janulik9535]

Hello,..now I am having in80 at home to try and it is very good,, did you listen both in80 and in100 so maybee you can give me recomendation, because I have hard time to choose, never heard in100,...in80 is very good by my opinion. Which would you choose?

[@borlach321]

Most Rega amps don't come with digital inputs. How do you hoot it up to a smart TV?

[@robertgough5804]

I am not sure about the chord dacs either

[@robertgough5804]

But prefer naim all day to rega

[@David-jm8wt]

I am wondering why Rega did not include a usb input for the Mk4 Elex. The Dacr had one and it seems a strange omission and rather off putting in buying one.

[@hanzel-fb7jo]

Recommend an article in What Hi-Fi?: Rega talks digitising amplifiers, the product it’s been happiest with for years, and what's next

[@EJK1965]

I have regretted owning a P3 almost immediately after buying it. Tone arm is great, that's it. Amps are now serious contenders but IMO are over priced. I feel Rega is a rather arrogant old school British company. If the new elixir was £1500 it would be competitive I reckons?

[@sbwlearning1372]

Their turntables suck at the lower end (£800 and under. It's not "right' that they need 6 or more additions adding up to another £300/400 to get them to sound "adequate") Can't speak about the amps but their approach to turntables put me off them

[@pwhittak88]

360P in 2023, you may want to check your video settings assuming your recording with a phone.

[@monsieurlehigh4912]

I'm watching this at 720p.

[@pwhittak88]

@Monsieur le High your right. No idea what was going on with my TV at the time. I see 1080p now 😁

[@ricstars95]

watching 1080p on my phone 🙂

[@mikemcguinness1304]

Great vid