| Search AudioEnz | |
| Articles | |
|
Current
reviews |
|
| News | |
| Community | |
| Buying | |
| About AudioEnz | |
About AudioEnz |
How to be a prat
Reviewing the baby Rega system
by John Groom
September 2001
Rega Planet CD player $1600
Rega Brio integrated amplifier $1099
Rega Jura loudspeakers $1699
Complete system price (including remote and cables) $4900
I've learnt a lot reviewing the upgraded "budget" Rega system. I've learnt for example that I'm a Prat. A Prat I'm told is someone who, when listening to hi-fi, values the pace, rhythm and timing.
In that sense I'm proud to be a Prat. I've always enjoyed that special "musicality" quality found in equipment such as Rega and Naim where the sound just bounces along and you want to tap your foot or get up and dance.
The system consists of the Rega Planet CD player which retails at $1,600 (or $1,710 with the remote), the Brio 2000 amplifier retailing at $1,099 (this has to be a best buy of the decade), and the Jura speakers retailing at $1,699 and available in black cherry and oak.
The cables supplied with the equipment (and recommended by the importer) were the Chord Siren interconnect at $225 and the Naim NACA5 speaker cable at $23 per metre. For those who are slow with maths (and depending on the length of your speaker cables), this will give you some small change out of $4,900.
The complete Rega system was kindly loaned to AudioEnz by the Auckland Rega dealer, Shore Hi-Fi.
Rega
was "the last major specialist hi-fi manufacturer to make a CD player",
and is shows. This is a very advanced piece of equipment and, when compared
with even the melodious Marantz 6000 KI, the Planet
tended to dance around it light-footedly like an early Mohammed Ali!
It's an attractive looking piece of equipment, but to be nit picking, I wonder if the display could have been clearer, and the spinning top disc clamp would need to be kept away from prying little fingers.
The remote control is essential for any but the most basic of functions. The remote is not a pretty thing, but it does the job well, and can control the more expensive amplifiers but not the Brio.
Rated at 38 watts RMS the Brio is a sweet and clean amplifier that is lively and well balanced. This is not an amplifier to be used to rattle your neighbours' windows or to drive huge inefficient speakers. Don't think of this as a small amplifier however, as it was able to bring a decent sense of control to speakers such as the Royd Albions, and easily dealt with the Naim Intros.
Again, to be nit picking, I would have preferred an input selection switch with a slightly firmer feel to it, and a volume control that was more clearly marked.
The
Jura speakers provided are a two-way rear ported reflex design that come
with spikes. The system was evaluated in a moderate sized lounge in a
1950's New Zealand weatherboard cottage. The speakers were a good match
to the room and proved capable of "driving" the room comfortably
without exciting any nasty reverberations.
The Juras need to be pulled out a little from the wall to tune the bass port output. I'm not talking "boom and tizz" here. This is a very sophisticated speaker within the compromises of its design and price. There is just a minor extra warmth to the bass, which very ably fills out the neutral midrange and sweet treble.
At the insistence of Shore Hi-Fi, I tried the CD and amplifier with more revealing (expensive) speakers. Yes, the equipment was up to it. Would I bother? No. This is a great well-balanced system as it is, and was very engaging... with all kinds of music.
Personally
I'd avoid joining the search for the Holy Grail (except perhaps for a
decent stand and upgraded power supply) and staying with a system like
this. If I'd taken my own advice a few years ago, I'd have saved enough
money for a deposit on a second home – given that this total system
costs less than any part of my Naim System. But then again, I am essentially
a Prat.
Want to comment on this review? Click here for Feedback