Audiophile Phono Stage with Totally Separate MC and MM Sections
Rega's new Aria MK3 phono preamplifier is housed within Rega's latest half-width custom designed case, giving it a fresh new look that matches the latest product offerings. Under the hood you'll discover two entirely separate, high performance phono stages. One is a fully adjustable dedicated moving coil preamp and the other is for moving magnet cartridges. Each stage is designed and engineered to maximize the potential of your vinyl system while remaining easy to set up and use.
All-Analog Design
The Aria MK3 is an all-analog phono preamp with no digital control circuitry. The fully aluminum case screens the internal circuit from any stray RFI signals. Rega's designers have avoided including any superfluous gadgets that could obstruct the signal path and degrade the sound quality. The Aria MK3 incorporates many innovative design ideas, including a self-adjusting servo control to keep the MC input circuit at its optimum, compensating for any variations in ambient or operating temperature.
The MM and MC stages both have their own separate input jacks and input preamplifier circuitry. This enabled Rega to design bespoke input circuitry for each cartridge type without compromise. Signal switching is performed at high level and low impedance via relays, ensuring there is no degradation of the signal.
Moving Coil Stage – Design and Features
The Moving Coil stage uses parallel connected, low noise FETs (Field Effect Transistors) configured as a compound pair. The use of FET transistors ensures there is no bias current flowing in the cartridge coil so as not to upset the delicate magnetic geometry of the cartridge. The MC input has the provision for selecting resistive input loading of 70 ohms to 400 ohms and capacitive loading of 1000 pF to 4200 pF. The input sensitivity can be changed by 6dB via the back panel.
Moving Magnet Stage – Design and Features
The Moving Magnet stage uses low noise, bipolar input transistors also configured as a compound pair. There are two separate power supplies for each channel and further sub-power supplies for each of the low noise input circuits. Nichicon FG electrolytic capacitors have been used in critical positions throughout the power supplies. Polypropylene capacitors have been used in the signal path and equalization networks. Discrete circuitry is used throughout the signal path, ensuring full control of the circuit design.
