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Rega Elex
The Elex MK4 is a high performance stereo integrated amplifier designed to deliver the purest musical performance. Housed in a brand new case to match the rest of the Rega range, the MK4 builds on previous Rega designs using our multi-award winning class A/B power amplifier circuit which delivers an impressive 72W per channel into 8Ω loads (90W into 6Ω). New rear connectivity options are available with the Elex MK4 now including a Rega DAC circuit with two digital inputs and a high quality headphone output conveniently located on the front panel.
Bringing your music to life
The Elex MK4 is capable of driving difficult loudspeakers with ease and will integrate perfectly into any audio system by offering a wider range of connectivity options. In addition to the line level, digital inputs and a high quality moving magnet phono stage, you will also find Pre-out and Record Out functionality alongside a headphone output. Special attention has been paid to the selection of key audio components. Discrete circuitry, high quality relays, polypropylene capacitors and Sanken output transistors are used throughout the design.
Key Features
- 72 W per channel into 8 Ω / 90 W into 6 Ω
- High quality moving magnet phono stage
- High performance Rega DAC circuit for digital inputs
- 2 x Digital inputs - 1 x optical and 1 x Co-Axial
- Headphone output
- 4 Line level inputs
- New custom design case
- Thermal Cut-Out
- Lifetime warranty against manufacture defects
Product Details
- Amplification circuit Our engineers have re-engineered the entire ELEX circuit board to optimise performance. MK4 builds on previous Rega designs by using our multi-award-winning Class A/B power amplifier circuit to deliver a powerful 72W per channel into 8Ω loads. This power is provided by a quiet multi-stage linear supply whilst supply rails for digital and analogue sections are galvanically isolated.
- Digital Circuit / DAC The DAC is based closely on the hugely successful Rega DAC-R circuit. The galvanically/optically isolated digital inputs utilise a Wolfson S/PDIF receiver IC to provide exceptional detail and clarity from any connected source. Output is provided by a Wolfson DAC and Rega designed discrete line-driver circuit. Our engineers have worked exceptionally hard to ensure that the analogue side of the circuit is not affected in any way by the introduction of digital inputs.
- MM Phono Stage A high performance Rega designed integrated moving magnet (MM) phono stage is carefully built into the circuit. The RIAA equalization has been split into two stages to minimise interaction. Polyester capacitors have been used in the signal path and polypropylene capacitors are used in the RIAA equalization circuits.
- Headphone Output We have taken great care to incorporate the headphone socket on the Elex MK4. This has been configured such that the speaker switching is performed by the output mute relay to avoid obstructing the signal path ensuring no loss of performance when it is not in use.
- Custom Case The new custom case design and construction brings the Elex MK4 inline with the rest of the Rega range and provides improved heat dissipation by using the entire case as an ultra efficient heat sink.
- Protection The Elex MK4 includes Thermal Cut-Out, short circuit protection and DC protection to prevent the risk of damage from excess heat, excessive currents or short circuits.
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Professional Reviews 92/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
89/100
Features Connectivity
90/100
Value for Money
95/100
The Rega Elex Mk4 delivers crisp transparency, sure-footed timing and an expansive, emotionally direct presentation that makes vocals and rhythms feel alive. What Hi-Fi? highlights its elegant musical cohesion, while its punchy headphone stage, MM phono input and capable DAC make this a richly rewarding hub for an analogue-first system.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptionally clear, agile and rhythmically assured sound, with articulate vocals and a wide, open soundstage.
Retains punch, bass control and stable imaging from low listening levels to high volumes.
Well-equipped for traditional hi-fi, with a capable MM phono stage, coaxial and optical DAC inputs, and a dynamic, resolving headphone output.
&
Cons
Its leaner tonal balance can benefit from warmer, fuller-bodied speakers; some listeners may want more weight and muscularity.
No USB audio, Bluetooth or network streaming, limiting convenience for digitally focused systems.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers find the Elex Mk4 notably clear, rhythmically assured and highly engaging, with strong low-level detail, controlled power and an expansive presentation through its analogue inputs. Its main sonic caveat is a leaner-than-older-Rega balance that benefits from sympathetic, fuller-bodied speakers; the onboard DAC is also described as slightly less spacious and subtle than the analogue inputs.
Transparency Resolution
93/100
What Hi-Fi praises the amplifier’s immense clarity, agility and openness, with crisp note edges, articulate vocals and substantial detail and texture. SoundStage found no audible distortion or coloration and considered the internal DAC to be of similarly high quality, though What Hi-Fi hears a little less layering and subtlety through the digital inputs.
Tonal Balance Musicality
90/100
The Elex Mk4 is repeatedly described as elegant, cohesive and emotionally communicative, revealing vocal nuance without imposing an obvious character on recordings. However, What Hi-Fi finds its balance rather lean and less grounded than the older Elex-R, recommending richer-sounding speaker partners for more body and weight.
Dynamics
93/100
Reviewers consistently praise its timing, agility and dynamic expression, from delicate shifts in atmosphere to impactful rhythmic drive. It retains punch and clarity at low levels, remains composed at high volume, and SoundStage found it delivered strong bass and convincing authority even into a demanding speaker load.
Soundstage Imaging
91/100
What Hi-Fi reports a wide, open and expansive soundstage with ample room around instruments, while SoundStage praises image specificity and stable spatial balance as volume changes. The Ear hears decent image scale and depth from the DAC, although it regards the analogue inputs as the amplifier’s strongest source connection.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
89/100
The reviews describe a compact but substantial chassis, sturdy all-metal casework and effective heat dissipation through the enclosure. Rega’s updated styling is also considered cleaner and more refined, though the reviews offer little comment on long-term reliability or internal component quality.
Features Connectivity
90/100
The Elex Mk4 combines four RCA line inputs, an MM phono stage, record and preamp outputs, optical and coaxial digital inputs, a headphone output, remote control and robust speaker terminals. It is thoughtfully equipped for a conventional hi-fi system, though it omits USB audio, wireless streaming and balanced XLR connections.
Value for Money
95/100
At around $1,875, The Ear calls the Elex Mk4 a hi-fi bargain without qualification. What Hi-Fi considers it capable beyond expectations for its mid-tier price and describes it as a stunning upgrade, supporting the view that its musical performance and useful facilities are unusually compelling against peers.
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Authorized dealers for Rega Elex
- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Accent On Music — in-store — Mount Kisco, New York, United States (website)
- Acoustic Image — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Streams — in-store — Lower Drift, England, United Kingdom (website)
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