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Rega

Elex MK4

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The Elex MK4 is a high performance stereo integrated amplifier designed to deliver the purest musical performance. Housed in a brand new case to match the rest of the Rega range, the MK4 builds on previous Rega designs using Rega's multi-award winning class A/B power amplifier circuit which delivers an impressive 72W per channel into 8Ω loads (90W into 6Ω). New rear connectivity options are available with the Elex MK4 now including a Rega DAC circuit with two digital inputs and a high quality headphone output conveniently located on the front panel.

Bringing your music to life — The Elex MK4 is capable of driving difficult loudspeakers with ease and will integrate perfectly into any audio system by offering a wider range of connectivity options. In addition to the line level, digital inputs and a high quality moving magnet phono stage, you will also find Pre-out and Record Out functionality alongside a headphone output. Special attention has been paid to the selection of key audio components. Discrete circuitry, high quality relays, polypropylene capacitors and Sanken output transistors are used throughout the design.

Amplification circuit — Rega's engineers have re-engineered the entire ELEX circuit board to optimise performance. MK4 builds on previous Rega designs by using Rega's multi-award-winning Class A/B power amplifier circuit to deliver a powerful 72W per channel into 8Ω loads. This power is provided by a quiet multi-stage linear supply whilst supply rails for digital and analogue sections are galvanically isolated.

The Elex MK4 in black from the front left and above, full width case, three small buttons, row of input markers and the volume knob

Digital Circuit / DAC — The DAC is based closely on the hugely successful Rega DAC-R circuit. The galvanically/optically isolated digital inputs utilise a Wolfson S/PDIF receiver IC to provide exceptional detail and clarity from any connected source. Output is provided by a Wolfson DAC and Rega designed discrete line-driver circuit. Rega's engineers have worked exceptionally hard to ensure that the analogue side of the circuit is not affected in any way by the introduction of digital inputs.

MM Phono Stage — A high performance Rega designed integrated moving magnet (MM) phono stage is carefully built into the circuit. The RIAA equalization has been split into two stages to minimise interaction. Polyester capacitors have been used in the signal path and polypropylene capacitors are used in the RIAA equalization circuits.

Headphone Output — Rega has taken great care to incorporate the headphone socket on the Elex MK4. This has been configured such that the speaker switching is performed by the output mute relay to avoid obstructing the signal path ensuring no loss of performance when it is not in use.

Macro of the Elex MK4 fascia, the machined volume knob at the right and the brushed top plate meeting the front panel edge

Custom Case — The new custom case design and construction brings the Elex MK4 inline with the rest of the Rega range and provides improved heat dissipation by using the entire case as an ultra efficient heat sink.

Protection — The Elex MK4 includes Thermal Cut-Out, short circuit protection and DC protection to prevent the risk of damage from excess heat, excessive currents or short circuits.

More photographs

The Elex MK4 straight on from the front at a low angle, the whole fascia and the Rega badge centred between the buttons and the volume knob
Close view of the Elex MK4 rear panel: the labelled RCA input rows, optical and co-axial digital inputs and four gold loudspeaker binding posts
The Elex MK4 from above and behind, showing the flat top plate and the full width of the rear panel with its inputs and mains inlet

The story on this page is Rega's own, reprinted by Joenit, its official distributor.