What it is
Three-stage symmetrical Class A: paralleled Linear Systems FET pair → differential common-base → inverting balanced output. Polypropylene caps in signal path, 1% polypropylene in RIAA EQ.
Designed to partner Osiris integrated; full Reference casework.
WhatHiFi: "an insightful and exciting high-end phono stage" (5-star).
Hi-Fi Choice 5-star: "very considerable boost; should ensure even low-output cartridges or low-power amplifiers can be accommodated."
MC-only design; MM-related critical fields not applicable.
Who it comes up against
14 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Anchored brief, the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on bass weight.
On its own merits the Rega Aura Reference MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Frog gives up bass weight under the Anchored weighting.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
14 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic
Against the Intimate brief, the Naim NVC TT MM/MC keeps the slot clearly.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on rhythmic grip.
With the NVA P50SA MKII, the pairing gains most on tonal body.
On its own merits the Rega Aura Reference MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Frog gives up rhythmic grip under the Intimate weighting.
RIAA tracking within +/-0.2dBSPEC: RIAA accuracy +/-0.2dB (manufacturer)
8 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl keeps the slot clearly.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Rega Aura Reference MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Frog gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
dual-monoMusical Fidelity M8x Vinyl press record
dual-monoMusical Fidelity M8x Vinyl press record
3 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII keeps the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Rega Aura Reference MC is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
3 lost · Artisan, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the EAR Yoshino 88PB MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Colibri, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Rega Aura Reference MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Colibri gives up quietness at rest under the Artisan weighting.
2 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Whest Audio 60Se Pro keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Rega Aura Reference MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Goldring Eroica HX MC gives up low-level clarity under the Silent Path weighting.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
2 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Cyrus Classic PHONO keeps the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Rega Aura Reference MC is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well above the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Whest Audio TITAN Pro II keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Rega Aura Reference MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Goldring Eroica HX MC gives up low-level clarity under the Silent Path weighting.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Michell Apollo + Muse PSU keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Rega Aura Reference MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the Goldring Eroica HX MC gives up low-level clarity under the Silent Path weighting.