Rega Aria Mk3 Switchable MM/MC Phono Preamp

Rega Aria MM/MC Pre Amp
Housed within Rega's latest half width custom designed case are two entirely separate, high performance phono stages. One a fully adjustable, dedicated moving coil and one moving magnet. Each stage is designed and engineered to maximise the potential of your vinyl system whilst remaining easy to use and set up.

This is the phono pre-amp to use to really hear a high quality analogue reproduction of music. Elevate your listening experience to the next level with the Aria phono pre-amp.

Features:
- Suits both Moving Coil & Moving Magnet cartridges
- Optimised operation for high-end performance
- High-quality components
- Rejects interference
- Can be used with 2 turntables (1x MM, 1x MC)
- Sleek, aesthetically pleasing look
- Incredibly easy to use

StereoNET 2020 Product Of The Year Awards - Best Phono Preamplifier

"Terry Bateman – Rega’s resident electronics whizz – is making life very hard for rival budget hi-fi brands right now. The new Aria 3 phono stage shows why; it’s a discrete transistor design with no op-amps in the signal path and has a really engaging nature for its $1,999 price. MM and MC connectivity are offered, and the result is a flexible and fine-sounding product that’s nigh on impossible to beat at the price."
See the full lineup of award-winning products here

 "The Verdict"

"As an affordable, mid-price phono stage that’s highly configurable and flexible, the Aria Mk3 is excellent."
Read the full Applause Award review on StereoNET Australia

Technology

The Aria is an "all-analogue amplifier" with no digital control circuitry. The fully aluminium case screens the internal circuit from any stray RFI signals. Rega's designers have avoided including any superfluous gadgets as they obstruct the signal path and degrade the sound quality. The Aria incorporates many innovative design ideas including a self-adjusting servo control to keep the MC input circuit at its optimum, compensating for any variations in ambient or operating temperature.

Both stages have their own separate input sockets and input pre-amplifier circuitry. This enabled us to design bespoke input circuitry for each cartridge type without compromise. Signal switching is performed at high level and low impedance (via relays) ensuring there is no degradation of the signal.

This also means that you can have two turntables connected simultaneously. One into the MC input and one into the MM input. Switch between them easily with the button on the front of the unit.

MC Stage Design & Features

The MC input uses parallel connected, low noise FET's (Field Effect Transistor's) configured as a compound pair. The use of FET transistors ensures there is no bias current flowing in the cartridge coil so as not to upset the delicate magnetic geometry of the cartridge. The MC input has the provision for selecting resistive input loading of 70ohms to 400ohms and capacitive loading of 1000pF to 4200pF. The input sensitivity can be changed by 6dB via the back panel.

MM Stage design & features

The MM input uses low noise, bipolar input transistors also configured as a compound pair. There are two separate power supplies for each channel and further sub-power supplies for each of the low noise input circuits. Nichicon FG electrolytic capacitors have been used in critical positions throughout the power supplies. Polypropylene capacitors have been used in the signal path and equalization networks. Discrete circuitry is used throughout the signal path ensuring full control of the circuit design. 

Why do I need a preamp?

A phono pre-amplifier is designed to boost the signal from a turntable or record player before the signal is passed to your Hi-Fi amplifier or receiver. Typically the signal output from a turntable or record player is quite weak, and it's required to be boosted before it hits the main amplifier of your stereo or hi-fi unit.

On the Flip-Side...

Some hi-fi amplifiers or receivers have a dedicated "phono" input and some modern turntables have a "line" level output - this simply means they have a phono preamp built in and an external one is not necessary. However if your system or player doesn't have this feature built in, or if you want to use a high-end one, you'll need a separate preamp (like this one).