Rega io 

The io has been designed to offer exceptional Rega performance at an affordable price point. It uses the same amplifier stage as the multi-award winning Brio now designed to run at 30 W per channel into 8 Ω. The io features two line level inputs, a high specification Rega moving magnet phono stage, and a dedicated high quality headphone output. The io will integrate seamlessly into any home audio system whilst remaining simple to use and easy to set up. A must for demonstration.

KEY FEATURES

• Integrated phono stage
• Headphone socket
• Mini remote control
• All new custom designed chasis

Because music matters

The io uses the same power amplifier and phono stage as its larger brother, the multi-award winning Brio. The io aims to deliver exceptional sound quality in a smaller and more cost effective package. The 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. Sanken output transistors and an Alps volume potentiometer and a linear power supply that enables an output of 30 watts per channel into 8 Ω. Two line level inputs and a high quality moving magnet phono input are available as sources. There is a headphone output provided on the front of the unit 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. A new redesigned mini remote handset is included.

Technical Specification

Power outputs at 230/115 V supply voltage
30 W RMS both channels driven into the rated load of 8 Ω

Input 1 (Phono) input sensitivity 2.1 mV @ 47 kΩ in parallel with 220 pF
Maximum input 1 (Phono) input level 100 mV
Input 2-3 (Line) input sensitivity 210 mV @ 47 kΩ
Maximum input 2-3 (Line) input level 10.25 V

Headphone output
No load 8 V
32 Ω 1.6 V
54 Ω 2.4 V
300 Ω 5.7 V
Source impedance: 109 Ω

Power consumption
135 W @ 230 V / 220 V / 115 V / 100 V into the rated load of 8 Ω

Frequency response
Phono: 15 Hz to 40 kHz (-3 dB points) / 27 Hz to 20.5 kHz (-1 dB points)

RIAA accuracy: (100Hz to 10 kHz) ±0.4 dB typically better than ±0.3 dB

Line: 12 Hz (-1 dB points) to 43 kHz (-3 dB points)

Remote control
Batteries included –2 x AAA Alkaline.

Fuse ratings
T1.6 AL 250 V: 230 V / 50Hz and 220 V / 60 Hz
T3.15 AL 250 V: 115 V / 60 Hz and 100 V / 50/60 Hz

Weight
2.9Kg

Dimensions (W x D x H) in mm
180 x 290 x 68
 

Rega io review

Signature Rega sound in a highly accessible package Tested at £379 / 5 / AU9

By What Hi-Fi? July 10, 2020

OUR VERDICT

Simple, but no less successful for that; this is yet another superb-sounding Rega amp

FOR

• Detailed, rhythmic, fun sound
• MM phono stage
• Good headphone output

AGAINST

• No digital connectivity

While Rega used to make a high-end DAC called ‘io’, the naming of its latest amplifier is almost certainly a nod to the familial link with its big brother, the excellent Rega Brio. It’s not far off half its price or half its performance – and so, quite reasonably, it has half its name.

The 30W-per-channel, entry-level io can be purchased individually, or as part of Rega’s System One all-in-one proposition with the Planar 1 turntable and Kyte speakers (£999). It borrows the power amplifier and phono stage from its Award-winning elder sibling and that goes a long way to explain the pleasing sonic resemblance between the two.

Sound

The discrepancies between Rega's two half-width boxes in terms of physical size and decorative refinement is more or less mirrored in their sonic differences.

The Brio (£599, 5) is a bigger-sounding component with a more polished presentation; it injects more space between strands of music and conveys them with notably greater detail and dynamic precision. It does what it should to justify its extra spend over the io, keeping it relevant in Rega’s line-up between the io and Elex-R.

But Rega’s consistency with components and their implementation makes the io instantly recognisable as a descendant of the Brio. In fact, we could repeat the very same words we used in our Brio review, including ‘incredible sense of rhythm, punchy dynamics; agility, detail and fun’.

Play Drake’s Money In The Grave ft. Rick Ross, and the io’s nature comes to the fore, its natural sense of momentum driving the dominant bassline forward. The deliveries of the two rappers have the transparency, richness and clarity that demands they are taken note of, while the amplifier’s innate musicality captures the rhythmic chimes that hold it all together.

The similarly priced Marantz PM6006 UK Edition offers more space around the vocals and an overall maturity to the rendition, but its smoother, more laid-back approach comes at the cost of not quite being able to capture the track’s energy.

Similarly, with Aparat’s violin-led 44, the Marantz (and the Brio) add a welcome dose of refinement and extra space and openness over the io. But while the io is a cruder listen, it still seizes the strings’ abrasive texture and captures the foreboding emotion, while tracking their dynamic movement too. It may not have the sonic sophistication of its rival and big brother, but its directness and buoyancy make for a truly compelling listen.

The io should be paired with like-minded speakers, such as the Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 or Bowers & Wilkins 606. Note too that Rega has done well to keep quality and character consistent through the headphone output.

Ultimately, with the arrival of the io, Rega’s unmistakable and unquestionably entertaining signature amplifier sound is now more accessible than ever. And, as we cast our minds back to when we first learned of the Rega io’s existence, that is all we could have hoped for.

Build and features

To pack such a performance into this price point, Rega has, as with all its amplifiers, stuck with analogue-only connections here. Despite the digital friendliness of the Marantz, analogue-only is common at this end of the market. The io sports two line-level inputs (two fewer than the Brio) and an MM phono input, so you can hook up a turntable as well as a couple of components such as a CD player and streamer. 

A 3.5mm headphone jack completes the io’s fairly modest connectivity list. It sits on the front panel alongside a volume dial and a small plastic button that cycles through the inputs. The io’s plastic front panel gives it a pretty unremarkable aesthetic. Rega certainly isn’t trying to hide the fact that most of its efforts have gone into the performance.

The compact, half-width aluminium chassis feels well built – the same goes for the satisfyingly simple remote control – and its low-key design should suit some hi-fi traditionalists.

Verdict

What will most win fans over to the Rega io, though, is its class-leading performance. While it may not be the versatile, all-inclusive Marantz PM6006 UK Edition, those who are happy with a simple, no-fuss, purely analogue amplifier and who prioritise entertainment should arguably consider the io their number one choice.

SCORES

• Sound 5
• Features 4
• Build 4