Rega Apollo-R CD-player

It's uncommon for firms that start out as turntable manufacturing companies then shine in making digital sources, and to branch out into electronic equipment. The skill sets needed for the two specific genres are difficult to come by, and very distinct. Rega does not appear to have been dissuaded, nevertheless, and the Apollo-R turns out to be a dramatic merchandise in several manners. The acrylic-fronted, aluminium casework is a pleasure, the top-loading mechanism a pleasure that is tactile, as well as the ergonomics superb - it is a fine machine to make use of, absolutely the finest here. Building quality is outstanding in the cost, and there is a range of black or silver finishes complimented by a clear red LED display, complete with retro 'music calendar'.

Inside, the organization says lessons are learned from popular and its highend Isis CD player - Rega DAC. Tweaking continues to be done to the electricity supplies feeding the CD laser diode amplifier and chip, optical block, and the analogue output phase has better opamps fitted. The user interface gets its dedicated processor for better equilibrium; track access is smooth and fast.

SOUND QUALITY

There is almost always this is it, and one star performer in every round upwards. But as we'll find, stars are not always completely curved things! Basically, the Apollo R is an excellent-sounding silver disk spinner - it's mesmerisingly amusing to hear.

That wonderful bassline that is sinuous modulates up and down in a manner that is incredibly hypnotic, as well as the synths that are fat pulsate with the ease unheard. Really, even the more expensive, although superb, Quad appears just a little standoffish. Similarly the Siouxsie and The Banshees tune is incredibly spectacular - the Rega appears to pull the listener right in. It proves excellent, bouncing like a rubber ball, making everything seem interlinked to everything. It is also quite dynamic too, actually highlighting the individual emphases on the musicians' phrasing.

Closer inspection reveals some frailties, also, although the New Order track seems wonderful. First, tonally it is rough or as well defined as the Cambridge Audio 651C or the Rotel RCD-1570; texturally it seems only a bit unsophisticated.

Additionally, spatially it is fairly challenged.

The Rega is not really exact on its positioning of pictures in the mixture and does not look quite as secure either, although like all players here it's nicely grand. This certainly is interesting, although nothing's perfect I guess.

Rega Apollo-R CD-player photo