This little beauty from Rega Research has been around for five years now (zoinks… where did that go!). In that time, it’s quietly become a bit of a legend here at Audio T Cheltenham — our go-to budget friendly amplifier and quite possibly the single item we sell the most of. The Rega io has earned a reputation for doing what Rega do best: delivering genuine hi-fi performance without breaking the bank. It’s simple, musical, and built with the same care and attention to detail as their more expensive models. Time for a re-visit, just to remind everyone why this unassuming little amp continues to win so many hearts (and ears)!

Distinguished History

Rega have been going since 1973 and have a long and distinguished history of making quality hi-fi products at affordable prices. The io is their current entry-level amplifier, and though it is small, it packs a punch from way above its weight.

The Best Things Come In Small Packages

The io uses the same power amplifier and phono stage as its larger brother, the multi-award-winning Brio. The io delivers exceptional sound quality in a smaller and more cost-effective package. Its Class A/B circuit shares its DNA with the rest of Rega’s amplifiers, and as usual, great care has been taken in component selection.

that’s a lot of high quality amplifier for the money

Sanken output transistors, an Alps volume potentiometer, and a linear power supply deliver an impressive output of 30 watts per channel into 8 Ω.

No Degradation Here

Two line-level inputs and a high-quality moving magnet phono input are available as sources on the rear. There is also a great-sounding headphone output provided on the front of the amp for powering standard hi-fi headphones; this is driven from the power amplifier stage of the unit through relays to avoid signal degradation when headphones are inserted or the product is muted. I also adore the fact that the amp will not self-power down after it thinks you have gone out!

A specifically redesigned mini remote handset is included.

A Great Entry Level System

We tend to match the io amp up with Rega’s own Planar 1 turntable and the stonkingly good Acoustic Energy AE100² loudspeakers to make an entry-level system the envy of many other manufacturers. This wonderful little system has to be heard to be believed.

A Tactile Joy

The sound that this combination can deliver is truly amazing. I have not heard a better system for the money. The Rega Planar 1 turntable has the ability to get so much detail from the record grooves you would not believe. It is solidly built, easy as pie to set up, and a tactile joy to use. Sending the signal to the Rega io amp gives it all the impetus it needs to let the Acoustic Energy AE100² create a huge soundstage with a crystal-clear top end, gorgeous midrange, and a bass quality that truly belies their size. Whatever your choice of music, you can rest assured that it will sound dazzling!

Shrunken Elvis

psychedelic artwork by max kinghorn-mills

Just to make sure that things were working just as they should be, I thought I would test out the system with the new Shrunken Elvis LP, and I was not to be disappointed. This album is a crazy, beautiful mashup of Kosmische Krautrocky dreaminess mixed with a large spoonful of 1970s ECM Pat Metheny-ness. Into this mix, they have majestically melded Spencer Cullum’s angelic pedal steel guitar.

On top of that, I will add that the album is wonderfully produced and recorded, and when played on the aforementioned system, it sounded just as though the speakers had disappeared and the music was dancing in the air in front of me. One of those goosebump moments. The pressing is perfect too, with not even a single click or pop on either side. Fave track? Probably “Marina Pt2”, but trust me, they are all lovely.

Thanks for reading. If I have whetted your appetite and you’d like to book your own demo, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Andy, Jon and Farid - Audio T Cheltenham.

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