• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

trashing rega io, now what?

DavideLP

Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2025
Messages
5
Likes
0
I will be as brief as possible:
My setup is
  • Marantz CD3003
  • Topping E30
  • Rega IO
  • Focal Chora 816
  • Rega P3
I will need for sure at least 3 inputs (turntable, CD, TV), occasionally I use my PC or my synth, so I can live with only 3 input. And I need a remote possibly. The goal is best sound for the buck, nothing else, budget around 1000 euros.
Reading Amir Reviews I found two possible setups:

Topping Pre90 (and extension) + a Pre-phono (which one I still don't know, advices are welcome) + Fosi V3 Mono (a pair)
Topping DX7+ Pre-phono (which one I still don't know, advices are welcome) + Fosi V3 Mono (a pair)

Main concerns is: Do I need a preamp after a pre-phono, either for volume control or signal level? I would prefer the DX7 as it is useful as an headphones amp too.
Bonus questions: Does every DAC + power amp combo works or do I need a preamp in between? As I understand there is not a need in most cases, but this arises another question: how much is the preamplification important in the final sound? (If almost any dac has a good preamplification then how are they so cheap?)
Do you have any advice? Thank you!
 
Last edited:
Hi,
What's wrong with the Rega Io that you want to change it?
I know it measures badly - I had one and changed it based on the ASR review - but honestly it sounded just fine!
My reason for change was a new interest in hifi and curiosity about DSP and class D amps - I can't pretend that the Io actually sounded bad

Having said that, good electronics (DAC, preamp) don't have to be expensive to be very good indeed.
Schiit Mani 2, Cambridge Audio Duo or ifi Zen are nice phono amps.
The DX7 is a very good DAC/pre/headphone amp, you don't need anything else.
The Fosi Monos are cracking amps.

An alternative pre would be the WiiM Ultra, which has a good enough phono stage built-in. You might want to add a separate headphone amp, but I'd try the built-in one as it may well be good enough.
The advantage of the WiiM is in it's EQ and room correction, that can make a big difference.

First think seriously about your Io ... it might be alright after all!
 
Hi,
What's wrong with the Rega Io that you want to change it?
I know it measures badly - I had one and changed it based on the ASR review - but honestly it sounded just fine!
My reason for change was a new interest in hifi and curiosity about DSP and class D amps - I can't pretend that the Io actually sounded bad

Having said that, good electronics (DAC, preamp) don't have to be expensive to be very good indeed.
Schiit Mani 2, Cambridge Audio Duo or ifi Zen are nice phono amps.
The DX7 is a very good DAC/pre/headphone amp, you don't need anything else.
The Fosi Monos are cracking amps.

An alternative pre would be the WiiM Ultra, which has a good enough phono stage built-in. You might want to add a separate headphone amp, but I'd try the built-in one as it may well be good enough.
The advantage of the WiiM is in it's EQ and room correction, that can make a big difference.

First think seriously about your Io ... it might be alright after all!
Thanks, I'll think about your advice!
 
I once asked a dealer about the Rega IO as I was considering it as a gift for my nephew. The dealer recommended against it, and said that the Rega Brio was much better. I own a RegaDAC and Rega EAR that I use for a headphone setup. I really like Rega products, good sound quality. So perhaps a Brio?
 
I had an offer for a Naim Nac42+Nap140. An official repairer changed condensers etc... I didn't buy it straight away, but still considering it.
I could ask the local shop to let me try the rega Brio in alternative
 
I used to have a Naim Nait 2. It was under powered, but very musical. I really enjoyed it with a Rega Planar 3 and a pair of Linn Kan 2 speakers.
 
If you could stretch your budget a little, I'd recommend the Linn Majik DSM (streamer and integrated amp) second hand. Streaming, DAC, and phono pre-amp are all included in the one box. /3 would be best, the /2 is a little cheaper but is limited to HDMI 1.4 I believe.
 
I had an offer for a Naim Nac42+Nap140. An official repairer changed condensers etc... I didn't buy it straight away, but still considering it.
I could ask the local shop to let me try the rega Brio in alternative
If you do want to change, base your choice on objective measurements and be wary of subjective recommendations that don't stand up to scrutiny.

Personally, I would not buy Rega, Naim, Linn etc - the measurements just don't stack up, especially for the money. If I already owned one I'd probably be happy to keep it, but that's different.

If you want 'traditional' then take a look at Yamaha integrated: A-S701 is nice. It is very hard to see past WiiM for streaming (and streaming DACs).

Otherwise, read some of the Amp reviews here, and the comments.
 
If you do want to change, base your choice on objective measurements and be wary of subjective recommendations that don't stand up to scrutiny.

Personally, I would not buy Rega, Naim, Linn etc - the measurements just don't stack up, especially for the money. If I already owned one I'd probably be happy to keep it, but that's different.

If you want 'traditional' then take a look at Yamaha integrated: A-S701 is nice. It is very hard to see past WiiM for streaming (and streaming DACs).

Otherwise, read some of the Amp reviews here, and the comments.
I study physics, so I am very incline to the scientific evaluation of things. The only problem is I know very very little about the electronics involved in an audio system, so I can't evaluate if the mesurements presented here or there are enough to assess the audio quality of an amp or whatever, or maybe there are other (still measurable) factors involved.
Apart from the chinese manufacturers are there (in europe or usa or japan) brands that you would buy from?
 
Have a look at the Review Index here, the search is a bit clunky but you get the hang of it (try searches for Amp / "Recommended = Yes" in a wide price range and eyeball it to filter out e.g. Headphone Amps)
There are some nice guides on the review measurements too, included in the review link below.

I don't really see the world from a Chinese/Non-Chinese point of view, but I'd happily buy;
Topping (not the B100 Monos - beautifully clean but underpowered for me).
Take a look at the Audiophonics site (EU) and their own brand amplifiers.
Yamaha are highly regarded here
Companies like BoXem (EU), Buckeye (USA), Apollon .. and others (see the review index) are higher end and nice ... but mainly power amps.
NAD is worth a look
WiiM

3e Audio are very respected for DIY amp boards, and they have just released a range of pre-build amplifiers that seem very good indeed. I'm interested in these.
 
Back
Top Bottom