Housed in the latest custom case to match the rest of the Rega range, the new Elicit MK5 builds on previous Rega designs. Having thoroughly run in the slim, but reassuringly heavy latest amplifier from Rega, I thought it was probably about time to say some words, about its build, its features, but most importantly how well it performs:

The design of the new Elicit Mk5 is beautifully put together and displays the minimalist styling that is typical of Rega. With just the headphone socket, power, input select button and an (Alps pot equipped) volume control on the front panel. If you think of a slimmer Aethos, then you will be on the right lines.

Using a similar FET based amplifier design to that of its bigger brother the Aethos, and equipped with a plethora of high quality components, in the areas that matter most. The rated power is 105W into 8 Ohms. The inbuilt Wolfson DAC is capable of up to 24bit/ 192 kHz resolution and has both optical and coaxial inputs, but no USB. Likewise, no DSD conversion is available.

Like all phono stage equipped Rega amplifiers, the moving magnet stage is excellent and would be entirely capable of partnering a Planar 3, or even a Planar 6. The headphone amplifier is equally excellent. It is certainly much better specified than the previous Elicit R.

So how does it compare to its predecessor?

The previous Elicit R was a lovely sounding amplifier, and a very popular one at that. But, unlike the other amplifiers in Rega’s range it always appeared to be ploughing its own furrow. Where the Elex R had the more muscular “house” sound, now fully realised in the exceptional Aethos, the Elicit R always seemed a to deliver music with a touch more delicacy, and while lithe in the way that the Brio so brilliantly is, it was tad light-footed and less able to cross genres and communicate the drive and attack that the rest of the Rega’s range are so clearly capable of. This certainly didn’t make it an also-ran, just a different sound and, well, less Rega.

The Listening…

Using the wonderful value Bluesound Node as the source (both on its own and later with the RME ADI-2 DAC), driving a pair of JBL HDI 1600’s; I played some of my favourite test tracks: From Rob Wasserman’s album ‘Duets’, ‘Ballad of the runaway horse’ is a standout track: With the new Elicit MK5, Rega have refined the sound, taking the Elicit R ability to resolve the finer details and to capture the soundstage, communicating the depth and width of the recording, along with a more powerful sound. This new Elicit MK5 fits into the range as a definitive step-up over the Elex R and as the precursor to the glorious Aethos. It offers the best elements of the outgoing model with a more dynamic and impactful delivery.

Moving onto Lou Reed’s ‘Walk on the wild side’: the vocal’s appear to sit further forward in the mix and they are somehow more immediate. And while the soundstage projected is just as wide, there is now a real focus on the drive and rhythm in a track and the new Elicit MK5 can really hit hard when it’s called too. It’s the absolute step up we were anticipating and very welcome, making what was a very good amp’, great.

If you would like to have a listen to this very fine amplifier, please get in touch.

Thank you for reading.

Jon, Andrew and Rob - Audio T Oxford.

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