Rega Aria Phonostage
Best high-performance upgrade for dedicated vinyl enthusiasts seeking pure analog sound.
The Rega Aria is a high-performance phono preamplifier designed to extract the best from your vinyl collection. It features two entirely separate, dedicated phono stages: one for moving magnet (MM) and one for moving coil (MC) cartridges. Each stage is engineered for optimal performance and ease of use. The all-analog design utilizes a robust aluminum case to shield against interference, ensuring a clean signal path. Innovative features like self-adjusting servo control for the MC input and discrete circuitry throughout the signal path minimize compromise and preserve audio quality.
$1196.00
More Aria Options
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
133
/ 491
#133 in Phono Preamps
Price vs Category Average
-83%
Below average
Circuitry Type
Solid State
/ Solid State
Who it's for
- Vinyl enthusiasts running both MM and MC cartridge systems
- Listeners seeking a rhythmic, high-energy musical presentation
- Audiophiles needing precise impedance matching for low-output cartridges
Who should skip it
- Casual listeners shopping for a budget-friendly phono upgrade
- Design-conscious buyers prioritizing premium, eye-catching chassis aesthetics
- Tweak-heavy users who frequently experiment with different cartridge settings
Performance breakdown
Signal Clarity
Discrete circuitry and robust shielding ensure a pristine, noise-free analog signal.
Cartridge Versatility
Dedicated MM and MC stages handle diverse cartridge setups with ease.
MC Loading Precision
Fully adjustable input loading allows for perfect impedance matching with MC cartridges.
Build Integrity
The aluminum chassis provides excellent interference protection and long-term durability.
Channel Separation
Separate power supplies for each channel deliver a wide, immersive soundstage.
Operational Simplicity
Self-adjusting servo controls minimize the need for constant manual calibration.
Key Specs
Circuitry Type
Solid State
Input Impedance
70ohms to 400ohms (MC)
Input Capacitance
1000pF to 4200pF (MC)
MC Input Transistors
Parallel connected, low noise FETs
MM Input Transistors
Low noise, bipolar input transistors
Power Supply
Internal, separate for each channel and input circuits
Cartridge Support
Moving Magnet (MM), Moving Coil (MC)
Equalization Curve
RIAA
Features
- Dedicated MM and MC phono stages
- Fully adjustable MC input loading
- Low noise FETs for MC input
- Low noise bipolar transistors for MM input
- Separate power supplies for each channel
- All analog amplifier design
- RFI shielding aluminum case
- High level, low impedance signal switching via relays
- Self-adjusting servo control for MC input optimization
- Discrete circuitry throughout signal path
What customers say
The Rega Aria Phonostage is highly regarded for its exceptional transparency and neutrality, allowing music to emerge from a remarkably quiet background. Users consistently note how this low noise floor vividly renders subtle details and dynamics. The dedicated fixed settings for MM and MC cartridges simplify setup while delivering superb performance, enhancing soundstage depth and overall refinement. While advanced users may seek variable loading, the consensus confirms Rega's fixed parameters are expertly tuned. Build quality is excellent, reflecting robust engineering. The Aria is viewed as a critical investment that unlocks the full potential of a quality vinyl playback system, leading to high satisfaction among serious enthusiasts.
Know before you buy
Yes. The Aria features two entirely separate, dedicated inputs for MM and MC cartridges, allowing you to keep both turntables connected simultaneously.
The Aria offers fully adjustable loading for the MC input, allowing you to fine-tune the impedance and capacitance to match the specific requirements of your cartridge for optimal performance.
No, the Rega Aria features an internal power supply with separate circuits for each channel to ensure clean, isolated power delivery without the need for an external box.
The Aria utilizes an all-analog, discrete circuit design. By avoiding digital processing and using high-quality transistors, it maintains a pure, uncompromised signal path from your turntable to your amplifier.
The robust aluminum chassis acts as an RFI shield, protecting the sensitive internal components from electromagnetic interference and radio frequency noise that can otherwise degrade your audio signal.
The servo control automatically optimizes the MC input stage, ensuring the circuit remains stable and performs at its peak without requiring manual intervention from the user.
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$1196