About The Rega Aethos Stereo Integrated Amplifier
The Rega Aethos Stereo Integrated Amplifier is the entry into Rega's Reference series of electronics and undoubtedly qualifies as a "lovely piece of kit", as those in Essex, where this amplifier is hand crafted, might say. An analogue only masterpiece, the Aethos is conservatively rated at 125 Watts and will have no trouble eliciting generous room filling sound from even difficult to drive speakers.
The Aethos stereo amplifier is housed in a custom designed case that moves away from the predominately boxy shapes of the Elex & Elicit with the introduction of some rather seductive curves. Always a welcome touch. Under the hood the Aethos employs four 160 W 16 Amp output transistors per channel which results in a healthy 125 Watts per channel into 8 Ω and a not inconsiderable 156 Watts into 6 Ω. Reviewers have even used the Aethos into speakers rated as low as 2.7 Ω (see review section below) with no issues, so it can definitely drive almost anything you might throw at it.
The Aethos is a dual mono design using a custom wound toroidal transformer and regulated supplies for the sensitive amplification and driver stages. The pre-amplifier stage uses class-A discrete circuitry throughout.
Considerable time, effort and expenditure has been spent on developing the circuit and construction, utilizing the highest specification of components throughout. As part of the design Rega have included useful features such as the switchable direct input and preamplifier output, to enable the new Aethos amplifier to be used in a wide combination of systems. The headphone socket has been integrated such that the speaker switching is performed by the output mute relay so as not to obstruct the signal path and degrade the sound quality.
In effect, Rega have taken the design concepts underpinning the multi award winning and hugely successful Elex-R and Elicit-R and propelled the performance to the next level and beyond with a 125 Watt dual mono design with features such as a fully discrete FET based line amplifier, polypropylene capacitors throughout the signal path, K-Power reservoir capacitors, power amplifier regulated supply and a high current output stage comprising of four 160w Sanken output transistors per channel.
Rega Aethos Reviews
"It doesn't matter what kind of speaker you are using, Rega's Aethos gives you a unique combination of engagement, enthusiasm and joy … Fantastic sound quality, highly musical, and excellent balance." STEREO+
"My speakers are rated at a mere 2.7 ohms. How would the Rega Aethos amplifier cope? Would it overheat? Well, I spent many hours playing music at medium to high levels using the Rega Aethos and the VAF Research loudspeakers and, while the heatsinks on the side of the amplifier warmed up nicely, there was never the slightest chance of overheating. I'd be entirely confident with sensible use with 4 ohms-rated loudspeakers." SoundStage! Australia
"By focusing on simply making an integrated amplifier that takes established design practices the company knows work well and evolving them rather than drastically reinventing anything, Rega has produced an amplifier that delivers a well-crafted blend of realism, space and simple musical joy. The Aethos has the power to be usefully unaffected about the loudspeakers it's partnered with and is a genuine pleasure regardless of the music that's played. This is another fine and well thought-out component from Rega, and one that makes the integrated amplifier market more competitive than ever at this price point." Hi-Fi Choice
Our Take On The Rega Aethos Stereo Integrated Amplifier
Many amplifiers these days try to be all things to all people with features such as digital inputs and Bluetooth being a common sight. Rega have taken a different approach because the Aethos is an all analogue affair with not even a phono input. Now you may think this is strange given Rega's reputation for making some of the best vinyl spinners around but when Rega's Simon Webster was asked about the absence of a phono input this is what he had to say - "We wanted it to be the best amplifier it could possibly be at (the price). When built in, the sensitive electronics can be affected, a compromise we were not willing to make. Equally, the expense of adding a phono stage would directly take funds away from the amplifier circuit and compromise its performance. At this price point our research tells us that most people prefer an external dedicated standalone stage and we feel strongly that an external stage will always offer better performance over an integrated one." Here at Audio Trends we couldn't agree more and would point vinyl enthusiasts to the Fono MM or Fono MC phono preamplifiers if vinyl is going to be a secondary source or the fantastic Aria Phono Stage if you are more serious about getting the best possible sound from your LPs.
At the end of the day the Aethos has been deliberately designed as a no compromise product with one goal, that is always front of mind at Rega, to deliver your music as faithfully as possible.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: All Analogue Stereo Integrated Amplifier
- Power Output
- 125 W RMS both channels driven into 8 Ω
- 156 W RMS both channels driven into 6 Ω
- Connections
- 5 Line Level Inputs
- 6.3mm Headphone Output
- Direct Input for use in home theatre systems
- Record Out
- Preamp Out
- No Turntable Input: If you plan to use a turntable as your source we recommend adding the Rega Fono MM, Fono MC or Aria phono preamplifiers which are available to purchase separately
- Frequency Response @ 100 W into 8 Ω
- Line Input: 1-5 & Record 10 Hz (-0.8 dB point) to 30 kHz (-0.5 dB point)
- Direct Input: 10 Hz (-0.8 dB point) to 50 kHz (-0.5 dB point)
- THD+Noise @ 100 W into 8 Ω
- Line Input: Typically 0.007% @ 1 kHz (measurement bandwidth 22 Hz to 30 kHz)
- Direct Input (Power Amplifier Only): Typically 0.007% @ 1 kHz (measurement bandwidth 22 Hz to 30 kHz)
- Input Sensitivities for rated output level
- Input 1-5 & Record Input Sensitivity: 224 mV @ 17 kΩ
- Maximum Input Level: 11.5 V (record output amplifier overload point)
- Direct Input Sensitivity: 840 mV @ 50 kΩ
- Power Amplifier Gain: 31.6 dB
- Record Output
- Record output level (with rated input levels) 219 mV
- Record output impedance 560 Ω
- Pre-amp Output
- Pre-amp output level (with rated input levels) 840 mV
- Pre-amp output impedance 100 Ω
- Headphone Output
- No load: 12.5 V
- 32 Ω: 2.7 V
- 54 Ω: 4 V
- 300 Ω: 9 V
- Source Impedance: 109 Ω
- Remote Control: Full Function Remote Control supplied
- Removable Power Cable: Upgrade to a Premium Power Cable for better performance
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 433 x 95 x 360 mm (including speaker terminals)
- Weight: 17.5 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: Three Year Warranty covering full parts & labour and a lifetime warranty against manufactured defect
- Learn more about Rega
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.