Rega doesn't want to keep up with the rest of the Hi-Fi industry. It prefers to build its reputation on product quality rather than aggressive marketing. The company's heart has always been in analog sound; its turntables and tonearms are renowned worldwide. But Rega doesn't limit itself to vinyl: its components can be used to create a complete system, from a CD player or turntable to an amplifier and speakers. Don't forget cables and accessories, such as phono preamps, cartridges, and headphone amplifiers.
The Rega Isis is the company's top model, and it's already the seventh generation of Rega CD players. During its development, which took several years, the company's engineers implemented many unique technological solutions aimed at achieving the highest possible sound quality.
One of Rega's principles, which has remained constant for many years, is the desire to provide excellent sound at an affordable price. However, sometimes these principles change: the company, which avoided entering the high-end market for almost forty years, has released a CD player and integrated amplifier aimed at high-end enthusiasts.
The Rega Isis weighs 19 kg—more than many power amplifiers. The finish is particularly pleasing, with attractive details, such as the quality of the connector block on the rear panel or the carefully chosen weight of the disc tray lid. There's also a USB input, so you can use the built-in DAC to play music from your computer.
The Rega ISIS player features a unique disc pre-tuning system, enabling error-free playback of CDs even with damaged surfaces. To achieve this, the player incorporates a new error correction system for maximum sound quality.
The player is equipped with a new digitally controlled servo motor, ensuring precise disc data reading and transfer to the digital-to-analog converter. The player's DAC is based on Burr Brown PCM1794 chips operating in dual parallel mono mode and has no built-in amplifiers. The DAC output filter is built using discrete elements operating in Class A, just like the Rega ISIS's analog output stages. The player's audio circuits utilize select components, including polypropylene capacitors.
The Rega Isis's digital and analog circuits each utilize ten stabilized voltage sources, and its power supply incorporates a proprietary 50VA transformer. Particular attention was paid to protecting its circuitry from crosstalk, including interference on the ground bus. The player features single-ended and balanced analog outputs, coaxial and optical outputs, and a USB input for connecting to a PC and using it as an external DAC. The USB interface features dual digital synchronization and is powered by its own stabilized voltage source. It supports playback of 44.1/48 kHz audio files with 16-bit resolution.
The player is housed in a metal case with an anti-resonance chassis and features a proprietary top-loading disc mechanism. The player is supplied with an updated remote control with improved ergonomics.
Rega Isis Features:
- Discrete filters and Class A amplification channels.
- The design is optimized for perfect sound.
- Laser head Semiconductor laser
- Digital sampling frequency 44.1 kHz
- Signal-to-noise ratio < 0.0013%
- Frequency response 17 Hz – 20 kHz
- Power supply for remote control AAA x 2
- Electrolytic audio capacitors.
- High-quality polymer capacitors.
- Rega K-Power smoothing capacitors.
- Two parallel dual Burr Brown PCM1794 DACs.
- Wide dynamic range, low distortion.
- 10 isolated power regulators in the analogue section.
- 10 isolated power regulators in the digital section.
- Transformer 50 VA.
- The USB connector provides a direct connection to a computer, with the high-class Rega ISIS
- DACs acting as a sound card.
- Operating voltage 230 V
- Power consumption 23 W
- Dimensions 112 x 434 x 350 mm
- Weight 19 kg.
