REGA ELEX MK4

Pre owned. In excellent condition. No visible signs of wear. Supplied with remote control. Original packaging not included.

The Rega Elex MK4 represents the fourth generation of the British brand’s mid-range integrated amplifier, developed more than thirty years after the original Elex model and designed to preserve Rega’s distinctive sonic philosophy while introducing a modern digital section. The unit delivers 72 watts per channel into 8 ohms and is built around a class AB amplification topology, which remains the core of the design, while the entire circuit architecture has been redesigned to optimise signal paths and minimise interference.

The internal layout has been updated with a redesigned PCB that improves the separation and organisation of the various electronic stages, helping to preserve signal purity and overall sonic coherence. Power supply design also receives special attention, with clear separation between analogue and digital sections to prevent cross-contamination and ensure stable, clean performance. Output power reaches 72 watts into 8 ohms and increases to 90 watts into 6 ohms, following the manufacturer’s philosophy of providing realistic, reliable specifications rather than inflated theoretical figures.

The digital section features a Wolfson WM8742 DAC capable of handling up to 24-bit/192 kHz PCM signals and represents one of the key upgrades of this generation. Derived from the brand’s standalone DAC expertise, it delivers precise and natural conversion while maintaining a sonic character consistent with the amplifier’s analogue heritage. Connectivity includes one optical Toslink input and one coaxial S/PDIF input, while the absence of USB and Bluetooth reflects a deliberate design choice focused on sound quality and signal simplicity rather than interface expansion.

The MM phono stage plays a central role in the design, featuring a dedicated two-stage RIAA equalisation circuit intended to minimise component interaction and ensure accurate vinyl playback. Carefully selected components and a short signal path help preserve tonal naturalness and musical coherence, while the input sensitivity ensures compatibility with a wide range of moving magnet cartridges.

Analogue connectivity includes four RCA line inputs, along with a fixed-level Record Out and a variable Pre Out, enabling connection to external power amplifiers or active subwoofers and significantly increasing system flexibility. Gold-plated speaker terminals provide secure connections and support various termination types including banana plugs and spade connectors, making integration into existing systems straightforward.

A 6.35 mm headphone output is located on the front panel and is driven directly by the power amplifier stage, automatically muting the speaker outputs when headphones are connected. This solution allows high-quality private listening without the need for a dedicated headphone amplifier, while retaining the characteristic Rega sound and offering sufficient drive capability for a wide range of headphone impedances.

In listening, the Rega Elex MK4 is defined by a dynamic, coherent and musical presentation, prioritising energy, immediacy and natural tonal balance. The soundstage is solid and well structured, with the midrange maintaining the brand’s characteristic balance, presenting vocals and instruments in a direct and engaging manner. The integrated DAC further enhances versatility, making the amplifier suitable for modern systems that require a complete solution without sacrificing an analogue-oriented sonic character.

Combining class AB amplification, an integrated DAC, MM phono stage and dedicated headphone output, the Rega Elex MK4 stands as a fully featured and contemporary integrated amplifier, successfully merging tradition and modern functionality into a single unit with a strong musical identity.

Specifications:

• Power output: 72 W per channel into 8 ohms; 90 W per channel into 6 ohms
• Total harmonic distortion (THD): 0.005%
• Frequency response: 10 Hz – 65 kHz (line inputs); 15 Hz – 65 kHz (phono input)
• DAC: Wolfson WM8742, up to 24-bit / 192 kHz PCM
• Digital inputs: 1 × optical Toslink; 1 × coaxial S/PDIF
• Analogue inputs: 4 × RCA line; 1 × MM phono
• Outputs: Record Out; Pre Out; 6.35 mm headphone output
• Phono input impedance: 47 kΩ
• Phono sensitivity: 1.6 mV
• Headphone output: 2.4 V (32 Ω); 3.6 V (54 Ω); 8.1 V (300 Ω)
• Amplification class: AB
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 432 × 82 × 340 mm
• Weight: 14 kg