Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC
14 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Rega Fono MM Mk5
Phono stage
Relative price
well below typical
Among the 44 phono stages in the catalogue, this one is well below typical.
A band places a component against its peers and carries no price. It is deliberately the only price indicator on this page: a second one, measured against a different set, would narrow the two together far enough to give the figure away.
What it is
Fully discrete cascaded complementary amplifier input stage. RIAA equalisation split into two stages to minimise interaction. Polyester caps in signal path; polypropylene in RIAA EQ.
Same updated aluminium case as Neo PSU and Fono MC. Wall-wart PSU simplest of the range.
Competition record
Assessed against 10 rivals across the sixty systems: it takes the slot in none of its 55 head-to-heads.
Who it comes up against
Naim NVC TT MM/MC
14 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl
8 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Rega Aura Reference MC
7 lost · BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Intimate, Reference
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII
3 lost · Vocals-First
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
EAR Yoshino 88PB MM/MC
3 lost · Artisan, Reference
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Whest Audio 60Se Pro
2 lost · Silent Path
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Cyrus Classic PHONO
2 lost · Vocals-First
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Whest Audio TITAN Pro II
1 lost · Silent Path
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
Michell Apollo + Muse PSU
1 lost · Silent Path
This cartridge’s output has no matching input on the phono stage in this system.
What the reviewers said
entry Rega phono with house timing emphasis Rega Fono MM Mk5 + What HiFi 5-star (multiple Awards)· Timing precision
fast, punchy sound, plenty of drive What Hi-Fi?, 2023· Presence & articulation
textured vocals come through with power and passion What Hi-Fi?, 2023· Harmonic texture
uncover a good amount of detail, cohesive and musical What Hi-Fi?, 2023· Micro-dynamic resolution
RIAA tracking within +/-0.2dB SPEC: RIAA accuracy +/-0.2dB (manufacturer)· Tonal body
How it scores
Voice
- Tonal body 72 from listening evidence
- Presence & articulation 76 from listening evidence
- Harmonic texture 76 from listening evidence
Rhythm
- Timing precision 73 from listening evidence
LowerVolume
- Micro-dynamic resolution 76 from listening evidence
Specifications
| mm capable | True |
|---|---|
| mc capable | False |
| mm gain db | 41.4 |
| mm load resistance kohm | 47 |
| mm load capacitance pf | 100 |
| riaa accuracy db | 0.2 |
| input overload mv | 60 |
| rumble filter | False |
| output level mv | 200 |
| output impedance ohm | 200 |
| balanced output | False |
| psu external | True |
| notes |