Is the Rega Brio-R amp really that good?

[Gmanuk101]

my good friend RichB (forum member) has one one these amps and raves about it, in fact I am due down his neck of the woods to give it a listen a week this saturday coming, so no doubt will be blown away.

I was wondering though are they really that good? Thinking about selling my mini-T amp 2020 and CA phono stage (MM only) and putting the ca$h towards one of these.

So if you have one or have heard one please let me have your opinions of this amp. It will be used to power a set of Monitor Audio mx2 Bronze speakers.

Thanks in advance people.

Graeme:cool:

update: I should have said my source inputs are a VanDame cable modded SL1210mk2 with Nagaoka cart and a laptop feeding FLAC to the Standac Caimen (un modded)

[hifi_dave]

The Brio has always been a giant killing amp and the latest Brio-R is even better. The expression I always use is "why pay more ?" OK, I do have a whole heap of more expensive amps which do but pit the Brio-R against many far more expensive amps on the market and you'll see just how good it is and it has an excellent phono stage inbuilt.

I have done the demo against Mini T on a couple of occasions and it isn't close but the T does do a good job for the money.

[brian2957]

Hi Graeme , funny you should post this today .I'm currently using an Amptastic mint t and a member of this forum is bringing the Brio R over to mine today for a listen .I will post what I thought of the comparison later . BTW I'm currently using a Rega DAC and it is very good indeed. Speakers are Rega EL8s .

[Gazjam]

It IS that good. :)
Echo what Dave says, but will add that I think the Brio-R hits the point where diminishing returns kicks in.
WAY best bang for buck, I reckon you'd need to spend a LOT of cash to get something that is a lot better.
Cant think of another amp at £500 that I'd even think about let alone consider buying.

Think you'll enjoy hearing it at Rich's.

Graeme, see your from Edinburgh?
A few of us Scots AOS'er have been getting together on a semi regular basis, why don't you come along to the next one? :)
We're all based round about Glasgow.

[Ali Tait]

Apart from me!

[brian2957]

Aye , the man fae the Kingdom . How you doin pal . Hope the weather is treating you kindly.

[RichB]

Yep, its fair to say I love my Brio-R but I'd caveat that I use it as part of an all Rega system so i believe there is a certain 'synergy' going on. (subject of another discussion I know, a dirty word to some).

Perhaps after hearing mine you'll want to look into it further and a good dealer (i have recommended one privately to avoid accusations of shilling) would be happy to let you demo one with Monitor Audio speakers. We have both previously agreed on the difference in presentation between MA and Rega kit, some may find the MA/Rega combo to be a bit 'hot' and bright sounding. As you are currently using a Caiman DAC perhaps a question to Stan about how this works with the brio-r may be useful.

As a vinyl lover I think you'd be impressed with the phono stage and overall welly of the Brio-R when compared to your Mini-T. I bloody love my Mini-T on the end of an old pair of Celestions, indeed it finally retired my ageing Pioneer A400. I love its clarity and detail, so much fun and enjoyment for less than some people drop on the pub floor. The Rega though just handles everything so much better and sounds so damn involved in the music it gets the blood pumping.

I'll put the mini t in the system when you visit so you can compare.

[Gmanuk101]

It IS that good. :)
Echo what Dave says, but will add that I think the Brio-R hits the point where diminishing returns kicks in.
WAY best bang for buck, I reckon you'd need to spend a LOT of cash to get something that is a lot better.
Cant think of another amp at £500 that I'd even think about let alone consider buying.

Think you'll enjoy hearing it at Rich's.

Graeme, see your from Edinburgh?
A few of us Scots AOS'er have been getting together on a semi regular basis, why don't you come along to the next one? :)
We're all based round about Glasgow.

sounds good to me, next time am through Glasgow will give you boys a shout. p.s I am a geordie but don't hold that against me ;)

[RichB]

p.s I am a geordie but don't hold that against me ;)

We geordies are nowt but Scots without the prospect of independence.

[Tim]

I'll be interested to hear your views Graeme?

I am very pleased with my Brio-R, for the money I could not better it at the time I was upgrading. Only pitted it against 10 or 12 other amps, costing around the same and as much as 2.5k and I preferred the Rega. In fairness though, of those only half were tried at home, so not truly representative. They were all new products too and with what I know now, I would probably have thrown some vintage gear into the mix, especially Quad, but I'm happy with what I have settled for. I may possibly have to scratch that Quad itch one day, but for right now I couldn't be happier with the sound I have and I'm sure that I only have that itch because I hang out here! In fact I know that's the reason.

As for synergy, I am sure a lot of its qualities are due to being paired with the Rega DAC and the Harbeth's work well with it too. The system I have is very neutral with a warm organic sound and female vocals work especially well, which I think is always a good marker for well balanced system.

What I have now is the most unfatiguing system I have ever owned, it might not suit all, but it does me. I have a mini T too, it is impressive for the money but lacks body and realism in my system, when compared to the Rega. It certainly does not suit female vocal as well. The Mini T is a kitchen amp IMO and works great in mine.

[Ali Tait]

Aye , the man fae the Kingdom . How you doin pal . Hope the weather is treating you kindly.
Aye not too bad cheers.

[DSJR]

The thing is, many amps which have been properly sorted can sound pretty similar I find. The thing is, to get that extra bit of CLEAN power and a gracious clipping performance (which can ruin many otherwise good amps) costs a bit.

To me, the Brio R, apparently using more up to date devices than previously, has a clean and very open sound at conventional listening levels, and doesn't break down into terminal harshness when pushed for short periods, unlike the current Nait 5 whatever itallics it uses for example, this latter going very harsh VERY quickly I found on a couple of listening sessions. Even the Croft integrated has its clipping moments when compared to the Brio R on the one hand, and Glenn's rather nice separates on the other - imo

[Alex_UK]

Another very happy owner here - and I'd echo what the others have said. I don't think it is fussy at all, whatever I've heard stuck on the end of it or stuck in front of it it just gets on and does its job - although you perhaps get a little "je ne sais quoi" with the Rega DAC and speakers, it is quite happy with my Caiman DAC (Gatorised) and Spendor SP1's but is equally happy driving whatever I've connected to it (Wharfedale Super-Diamond, AE Aegis Evo 3, Kef Coda 9 Sony SS-85E.)

Again, good though my (original) mini-T is for the money at normal levels it doesn't hold a candle to the Brio-R in my opinion.

My old Creek Evo sounded broken in comparison, it eats my Audiolab 8000S for breakfast, and personally I prefer it a fraction over the Croft integrated. Gaz hits the nail on the head with this: "Brio-R hits the point where diminishing returns kicks in" - how true that is, I think - you have to spend 3 or 4 times as much to get something which you may not even consider better, maybe slightly better, but more likely just a little different - as always, finding the "flavour" you like is the key, for me, the Brio-R hits the spot.

Will be interesting to see what you think of it. :)

[Mike g]

Total thread jack but I'm an AoSer in Scotland too and if there meet ups planned I would come along. I live in even deeper darker fife than Ali (ie Cupar) but I promise that I am a weegie by birth and work in that glorious city a couple of days a week.

[Gazjam]

Total thread jack but I'm an AoSer in Scotland too and if there meet ups planned I would come along. I live in even deeper darker fife than Ali (ie Cupar) but I promise that I am a weegie by birth and work in that glorious city a couple of days a week.

Sure mate, more the merrier..
First timer's have to pay for the beer though? :eyebrows:

[Gazjam]

Just back from a Brian's where I took my Brio-R and TQ Black cable.
Brian will want to pitch in himself, but in comparison to the T-Amp the Brio is ...better.
With his Rega Dac it sounds a bit special.

Forgot you were a Northerner Ali, still the same country though, unlike Edinburgh! :)

[brian2957]

Thanks for coming over Gary . Had an interesting and informative couple of hours . I've been happily living with the Amptastic T amp in my system for a couple of months now . That was until you plugged the Brio into the system .The T amp is indeed an excellent little amp for the money . However the Brio is just in another league . It brought the music ' into ' the room . Bigger soundstage , deeper tighter bass , and the music just had more texture . It was overall more ' real ' sounding , if there is such a thing . I was considering another couple of amps to upgrade from the T amp , however the Brio has just gone top of my list. No contest here I'm afraid.

[Tim]

If you have a Rega DAC Brian, then I think its a very sensible pairing, the two were designed in unison as far as I'm aware so a natural choice.

Couldn't agree more about the 'realism' aspect of the Rega sound - it just sounds right, neutral, uncoloured, a very realistic sound-stage but above all its a very 'musical' amp, so musical you can listen for hours on end
I best be careful though, might be accused of shilling ;)

[mikecole]

I bought the Brio-R along with the Harbeth P3ESR and I love it to death. It may be the system I settle in with for the long haul. I was thinking about it and it is kind of funny. The first 'hi-end' system I was hoping to get 30 years ago was a Nait-2 and a set of Kans. Now I have something that is just as small and simple, but sounds better (to me).

[brian2957]

I'm only telling it how I heard it Tim . Seems to be a fit and forget long term solution ( to my ears ) that is :) So I'm in agreement with everything you have written , particularly regarding the musicality of the Rega set-up .

[kenworthy100]

I have only heard this amp briefly and was completely surprised by the sheer musicality of such a small box. Timing and sound stage was phenomenal, fast tempo music had an energy and vibrancy I had not experienced in this price sector.

Quick question has anyone tried it with the new Kef LS50's?

[hifi_dave]

Yes and it works a treat.

[Gmanuk101]

wow! cheers for all your input guys nice one!

[Gmanuk101]

well I had a brief listen to RichB's Rega Brio R!! outstanding.. loved the punchy sound it gives! I will now be saving my pennies up for one!

so in the new year will be selling:

Mini T T-Amp (2020) with 5v Power Supply - 11 months old

Camb Audio Azur (MM) - only 6 months old!

Custom made high quality gold connect 2 way switch box - 3 month old (with blue LED, box shielded in white)

Keeping the Standac though..!

[DSJR]

But it CAN'T be any good because the ONLY reason peeps on here like it is because the dream team of hifi dave and myself, with a little help from blinkered-owner Alex_UK (whom we've well and truly brainwashed) have totally bowled you over with our forceful sales tactics - or so some would have you believe.... What a load of bollix!!!!!!!

The simple fact is, Rega dealers up and down the country can demonstrate this amp against any other taken in for a comparison, the previous brio and Mira models weren't at all bad, so a good foundation to build on and the few Brio R's that come up for sale are usually due to major upgrading, rather than customer disatisfaction!

So stick that up yer jacksies RD, Jammie beggar and the one or two others still poking fun at this site and the products we tend to recommend.. :steam:

[Gmanuk101]

But it CAN'T be any good because the ONLY reason peeps on here like it is because the dream team of hifi dave and myself, with a little help from blinkered-owner Alex_UK (whom we've well and truly brainwashed) have totally bowled you over with our forceful sales tactics - or so some would have you believe.... What a load of bollix!!!!!!!

The simple fact is, Rega dealers up and down the country can demonstrate this amp against any other taken in for a comparison, the previous brio and Mira models weren't at all bad, so a good foundation to build on and the few Brio R's that come up for sale are usually due to major upgrading, rather than customer disatisfaction!

So stick that up yer jacksies RD, Jammie beggar and the one or two others still poking fun at this site and the products we tend to recommend.. :steam:

can of worms there mate ;) or pandora's boxSwap?

well, I like the sound of it, so I care nothing for weak minded fools who are hi fi victims and listen to text.. lolz

[Bazil]

I see Rega no longer make the Mira 3, is the Brio-R better?

[hifi_dave]

Depends on your point of view. The Mira might (might) have been a touch more refined but was nowhere near as punchy, dynamic and fun as the Brio-R.

Rega obviously know just how good the Brio-R is because they have no plans to build a sub £1K amp, as they can't improve on the Brio-R. The next step up the ladder will be the new Elicit, due to be introduced next Spring - approx £1500.

[Yomanze]

Has anyone compared the Brio R with an Exposure 2010 series integrated?

[RichB]

well I had a brief listen to RichB's Rega Brio R!! outstanding.. loved the punchy sound it gives! I will now be saving my pennies up for one!

so in the new year will be selling:

Mini T T-Amp (2020) with 5v Power Supply - 11 months old

Camb Audio Azur (MM) - only 6 months old!

Custom made high quality gold connect 2 way switch box - 3 month old (with blue LED, box shielded in white)

Keeping the Standac though..!

Pleased you liked it, and the nak deck was sounding good too eh. Basically in the sub 500 quid bracket you're spoilt for choice and I'd also suggest hearing some of the other obvious choices if you can. For me it was a logical conclusion to a journey which started when I got my floorstanders. Be warned though, it will make you listen to even more music if thats possible. I've started to resent when Mrs b just wants to have the telly on. My next upgrade will be a loft conversion for a dedicated music den.

[hifi_dave]

Has anyone compared the Brio R with an Exposure 2010 series integrated?

Yes.

[Martinh]

Yes.

What did you think?

[Martinh]

What did you think?

Your silence speaks volumes :rolleyes: