I love this DAC

[worrasf]

My new REGA DAC arrived today and it's disappeared

Well not quite, are you sitting comfortably? I shall explain.

I connected the REGA and then went away for a few hours to repair my fence to stop my dogs escaping - leaving the Cyrus CD XT se on repeat.

Sat down to listen to my new piece of kit and guess what - it had gone, disappeared, couldn't hear it

This DAC has no sonic signature, it adds nothing, it takes nothing away - I love it

I spent (am spending) the evening going through a variety of old favourites both on my CD and on my iPod via my Audiocom signature upgraded Wadia 170i and I have a silly grin on my face (it's not the second bottle of wine - well OK it might be). This DAC has done the same sort of thing to my music as when I installed a Troika in my previous LP12/Ittok - it shows it like it is - love it or hate it.

There is absolutely no emphasis on any part of the audio spectrum - all instruments/vocals are given equal weight. While there is more detail and control than my previous DAC I found myself listening to the music not the kit. It just sounds so right - fluid, controlled, enjoyable.

The real bombshell was listening to Songs from the Silk Road by Banco de Gaia - most of this album is recorded live at a festival - previously when listening to this album it sounded great but it sounded like it was a studio mix - through the REGA it sounds what it is - you hear what you would hear if you were at the mixing desk in the audience - I s**t you not - it's that good.
However, be aware it ruthlessly shows up poor recordings - Bruce Springsteens' Darkness on the edge of town for example - great album but through the REGA you just know it was poorly mastered (OK old album) it sounds "boxy" - all the sound is concentrated in the space between the speakers - but get a good recording - in my case tonight Thea Gilmores' new album John Wesley Harding and the soundstage just opens up - beautiful.

Now I am just a poor country doctor and have never heard and never likely to hear Uber expensive dacs so my experience is necessarily limited in this area but my first impressions of the REGA dac are very very favourable - off to listen some more - and open another bottle of wine (wife and kids away - just me, the dogs and the hifi this weekend)

My only criticism - I just wish the led's were green and not red to match the rest of my kit

Steve

Being a simple country

[Alex_UK]

Hi Steve - reading between the lines (and your signature!) the Rega has replaced your Gatored/Teddyed Caiman?

Sounds like your experience of the unit mirrors the positive press it has received. What with the similarly styled and priced Brio R integrated getting fab reviews too, and the same form-factor Saturn CD player eagerly expected, it looks like Rega are on a bit of a roll with their "budget" end at the moment - (add in the superb RS5 speakers DSJR and I heard, and there's a giant-killing system for a couple of grand, I suspect.)

Best of luck to Rega, and to you with your new found enjoyment. (Hope to hear the DAC later in the summer when DSJR and I make another trip to see hifi_dave )

[worrasf]

Hi Steve - reading between the lines (and your signature!) the Rega has replaced your Gatored/Teddyed Caiman?

Signature updated - 'nuff said
Steve

[oldson]

"Now I am just a poor country doctor"

"poor" and "doctor", who you trying to kid?

[DSJR]

"Now I am just a poor country doctor"

"poor" and "doctor", who you trying to kid?

+1

No need for uber-DAC's, as they're profit laden most of the time I think..

[worrasf]

"Now I am just a poor country doctor"

"poor" and "doctor", who you trying to kid?

Steve

[Yoga]

Still very tempted by the Rega DAC.

Nearly all of the reviews I've seen mention that it sounds analogue, and has 'that Rega sound', which is contradictory of your own opinion (not implying anything here, just an observation!).

How does Pink Floyd sound on it?

[Marco]

Hi Steve,



Who he?

Marco.

[Ali Tait]

It's your bank manager when you tell him about all the new kit you're going to buy!

[worrasf]

Hi Steve,



Who he?

Marco.

Marco where have you been for the last 12 months?
This is the Prince of Darkness himself aka Mr "screw the NHS" Andrew Lansley


Steve