Description
Rega Aria Mk3 Switchable MM/MC Phono Preamplifier
A Phono Stage of Exceptional Quality
The Rega Aria Mk3 is a phono preamplifier of outstanding engineering integrity, housing two entirely separate, high-performance phono stages within a beautifully crafted half-width aluminium enclosure. Compatible with both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges, the Aria Mk3 is a critical and transformative component for any serious vinyl system, designed to maximise the potential of your cartridge while remaining genuinely easy to use and set up. Winner of the StereoNET 2020 Product of the Year Award for Best Phono Preamplifier, the Aria Mk3 is widely regarded as one of the finest phono stages available at its price point.
All-Analogue Design with No Compromise
The Aria Mk3 is a fully analogue preamplifier with no digital control circuitry anywhere in the signal path. Rega’s designers have deliberately avoided superfluous features that obstruct the signal path and degrade sound quality, focusing instead on a pure, transparent circuit topology of the highest quality. The fully aluminium case provides effective screening against stray RFI signals, and signal switching is performed at high level and low impedance via relays, ensuring no degradation of the signal at any point. Discrete circuitry is used throughout, with Polypropylene capacitors in the signal path and equalisation networks, and Nichicon FG electrolytic capacitors in critical positions throughout the power supplies.
Moving Coil Stage: Precision and Flexibility
The Aria Mk3’s dedicated Moving Coil stage employs parallel-connected, low-noise FETs configured as a compound pair. The use of FET transistors ensures no bias current flows in the cartridge coil, preserving the delicate magnetic geometry of the cartridge for optimal performance. Resistive input loading is selectable from 70 to 400 ohms, capacitive loading from 1,000pF to 4,200pF, and input sensitivity can be adjusted by 6dB via the rear panel. A self-adjusting servo control keeps the MC input circuit at its optimum, automatically compensating for variations in ambient or operating temperature.
Moving Magnet Stage: Low Noise and Fully Discrete
The Moving Magnet stage uses low-noise bipolar input transistors also configured as a compound pair, with two separate power supplies for each channel and further sub-power supplies for each low-noise input circuit. This bespoke input circuitry, designed without compromise specifically for Moving Magnet cartridges, delivers a level of quietness and musical transparency that is exceptional at this price point. The fully discrete signal path ensures complete control over the circuit design and maintains the integrity of the analogue signal from input to output.
Two Turntables, One Preamplifier
Both the MM and MC stages have their own entirely separate input sockets and input preamplifier circuitry, which means the Aria Mk3 can accommodate two turntables simultaneously, one connected to the MC input and one to the MM input. Switching between them is effortless via the front panel button, making the Aria Mk3 an equally compelling choice for those running two turntables as it is for those seeking the finest possible single-cartridge phono stage.
KEY FEATURES:
- Fully analogue, award-winning MM/MC phono preamplifier with no digital control circuitry in the signal path
- Two entirely separate, bespoke high-performance phono stages for Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges
- Winner of the StereoNET 2020 Product of the Year Award for Best Phono Preamplifier
- Supports simultaneous connection of two turntables, one MM and one MC, with front-panel switching
- MC stage: parallel-connected low-noise FET compound pair with self-adjusting servo temperature compensation
- MC resistive loading: 70 to 400 ohms, capacitive loading: 1,000pF to 4,200pF, input sensitivity adjustable by 6dB
- MM stage: low-noise bipolar transistor compound pair with dedicated per-channel and per-input sub-power supplies
- Polypropylene capacitors in the signal path and equalisation networks
- Nichicon FG electrolytic capacitors in critical power supply positions
- Signal switching performed at high level and low impedance via relays for zero signal degradation
- Fully aluminium enclosure for effective RFI screening
- Half-width custom-designed case for flexible system integration
