Rega’s integrated amplifiers, side by side. Here is the Elex Mk4 between the Brio Mk7 and the Elicit Mk5 and their specifications, showing what your money buys at each step.

The Elex sits in the middle of Rega’s amplifier range and has spent years being the one that wins awards. The Mk4 replaced the long-running, analogue-only Elex-R and made two significant changes: a new case matching the rest of the current range, and a proper DAC built in, based closely on Rega’s well-regarded standalone DAC-R circuit. It is not simply a bigger Brio. The extra power matters, but so does the way the digital section is implemented, with a discrete line-driver stage rather than the integrated op-amp used further down the range. For a system built around good speakers and both records and streaming, it is the point in Rega’s range where everything starts to feel comfortably unstrained.

Brief product overview

A Class A/B integrated amplifier delivering 72 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 90 watts into 6 ohms, using Sanken Darlington output transistors fed by a quiet multi-stage linear power supply, with the digital and analogue supply rails galvanically isolated from one another. The DAC circuit is based on Rega’s DAC-R: a Wolfson S/PDIF receiver serving two galvanically and optically isolated digital inputs, one coaxial and one optical, handling PCM to 24-bit/192kHz, with output from a Wolfson converter and a Rega-designed discrete line-driver circuit. Analogue connectivity runs to four line-level inputs and a Rega-designed moving-magnet phono stage whose RIAA equalisation is split into two stages to minimise interaction, using polyester capacitors in the signal path and polypropylene in the equalisation circuits. There are also preamplifier and record outputs, and a headphone socket on the front panel. The case is a new custom design shared with the rest of the current Rega range, acting as a heatsink for the electronics, and it is made in Southend-on-Sea.

How it sounds

The Elex Mk4 has Rega’s characteristic drive and timing, but with a composure the smaller models cannot match: it holds together when the music gets dense, keeps low frequencies taut rather than merely fast, and resolves detail without pushing it forward. The phono stage is genuinely good, with the two-stage RIAA equalisation paying off in a clean, quiet presentation that does justice to a decent turntable. The DAC is the other reason to choose it over the Brio: the discrete line-driver output gives it more body and dimensionality than the op-amp implementation used lower down, to the point that feeding a streamer’s digital output into the Rega is a genuine alternative to using the streamer’s own converter, rather than merely a convenience. Ninety watts into 6 ohms is enough for most sensibly matched speakers in a normal room.

What we’d partner it with

For speakers, the Elex Mk4 has the power for larger stand-mounts and modest floorstanders. We suggest the Wharfedale Linton, a three-way standmount with an 8-inch woven Kevlar bass driver, a 5-inch Kevlar midrange in its own isolated enclosure and a 1-inch soft dome tweeter, in a large vented cabinet that reaches down to 35Hz. It is 90dB sensitive with a 6-ohm nominal impedance and a 25 to 200 watt recommendation, so the Elex’s 90 watts into 6 ohms suits it well. Worth knowing: the Linton’s impedance dips to around 3.5 ohms in the bass with a demanding phase angle, and Rega does not rate the Elex below 6 ohms, so give the amplifier room to breathe if you listen loud for long periods. Good alternatives from brands we carry are stand-mounts and floorstanders from Dali, Elac, Mission and Triangle.

For vinyl, the moving-magnet phono stage means a turntable connects directly. We suggest the Rega Planar 3 RS Edition, fitted with a Rega moving-magnet cartridge as standard, which plugs straight in; as a Rega deck it earths through the phono lead, so there is no separate ground wire to attach. If you run a low-output moving-coil cartridge, note this stage is moving-magnet only, so one of Rega’s external moving-coil phono stages would be needed.

For digital, the Elex Mk4’s DAC is good enough to be worth using. We suggest the Bluesound Node Icon, Bluesound’s flagship streamer, which runs BluOS with Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2 and internet radio and carries dual ESS ES9039Q2M converters of its own. Connect it by RCA to a line input and the Icon does the conversion, or by coaxial or optical and the Rega does it; both are worth trying, as the two have different characters. Note the Icon’s balanced XLR outputs cannot be used here, as the Elex’s inputs are unbalanced.

On cabling, use a well-made speaker cable of appropriate gauge for the run; AudioQuest and Chord are the cable brands we stock.

Who shouldn’t buy it

If your speakers are efficient and your room modest, the Brio Mk7 offers the same character with 50 watts and a simpler DAC implementation for less. If you want more power for demanding or larger speakers, the Elicit Mk5 steps up to 105 watts. And if you run a low-output moving-coil cartridge, the phono stage here is moving-magnet only, so budget for an external stage.

The Elex Mk4’s case doubles as a heatsink, so leave clear space above and around it, particularly given the Linton’s low impedance dip if you listen at high levels for long stretches. For vinyl, connect the Planar 3 RS to the phono input; as a Rega turntable it earths through the phono lead, so the grounding post is only needed for decks with a separate earth wire. For streaming, decide which converter you prefer: RCA into a line input for the Node Icon’s, or coaxial or optical for the Rega’s. The Linton is a large, heavy standmount and sounds best on its matching stands, which set it at the right height and add mass; keep it clear of the rear wall, as the ports fire backwards. The preamplifier output allows a subwoofer or a power amplifier later.