Rega Elicit MK5

The Elicit MK5 is a stereo integrated amplifier from Rega, designed to centralise analogue and digital sources within a single piece of electronics. It incorporates a DAC circuit developed by the brand's engineers, allowing digital sources to be connected directly without the need for an external converter, as well as an MM phono stage intended for turntables fitted with moving magnet cartridges.

Amplification relies on a class A/B power circuit, an architecture recognised for its balance between linearity and efficiency. It delivers 105 W per channel into an 8 Ω load, rising to 127 W into 6 Ω and 162 W into 4 Ω, reflecting a good capacity to cope with impedance variations across different speakers. Volume control is handled by an Alps potentiometer, a component valued for its precision and long-term consistency. The headphone output has been designed to avoid degrading the signal: speaker switching runs through a dedicated mute relay, which avoids inserting an additional circuit into the audio signal path. A thermal cut-out device also protects the unit in the event of overheating.

In terms of connectivity, the Elicit MK5 offers two digital inputs (one optical and one coaxial), four line-level inputs, a headphone input, a direct input and a dedicated recording input. The DAC circuit supports sampling rates from 32 to 192 kHz and depths of 16 to 24 bits, covering the majority of common digital sources, whether a network player, a television or a computer.

This type of amplifier is aimed at listeners wishing to simplify their setup by bringing together a turntable, digital sources and speakers around a single piece of electronics, without adding multiple peripheral units. Its power and connectivity versatility make it a sound choice for a living-room hi-fi system paired with speakers of medium to high sensitivity.