Rega Brio-R User Manual

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION, FEATURES AND TECHNOLOGY 1-3

INSTALLATION 3

CONNECTIVITY 4-6

LOUDSPEAKER CONNECTIONS 6-7

IN USE / INPUT SELECTION 7

MUTE / REMOTE CONTROL 8

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 9

TROUBLESHOOTING 10-13

OWNERS LOG 14

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INTRODUCTION, FEATURES AND TECHNOLOGY

Thank you for purchasing the Brio-

the latest version of Rega’s best

selling amplifier.

Housed in a brand new case the Brio-

draws on the pedigree of the previous three incarnations of this model. The sonic recipe for the Brio embodies the best in traditional audio circuits with excellent engineering practice.

A newly designed output amplifier in the Brio-

was born after extensive research by our engineers to develop a low source impedance emitter follower Class A driver stage. This is based around a complementary pair of 150w Sanken Darlington output transistors. The technical and sonic improvement gained by the use of low impedance drivers is well known, however it can feature high standing currents in the driver stage when using standard transistor configurations. By combining the low impedance driver with the Sanken Darlington transistors (with their imbedded thermal bias network running at a lower standing current) this combination forms a complementary emitter follower emulating Class A conditions with good thermal stability with lower standing currents in the driver stage.

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Other notable improvements include the input switches (relays) and rotary volume control. The input relays are in the optimum position, being placed directly between the input sockets and the amplifier input, shortening the signal path at this critical stage.

Remote control has been added to the Brio-

for the first time without compromising the sonic design of the amplifier. This was achieved by keeping the remote circuit separate to the audio circuit and having its own dedicated power supply (via a separate winding on the mains transformer). There is no direct contact between the microcontroller and the signal path, as the microcontroller controls the relays and volume control motor is using DC control voltages.

During the Brio-

design process Rega reviewed the circuit and improved the low and high current power supplies, coupling and bypass capacitors, (where film capacitors are used throughout the signal path). The phono stage has been improved to reflect the current improvements in the Rega Planar turntables, where the input sensitivity has been increased along with a revision of the sub 100Hz part of the phono frequency response.

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The output amplifier is capable of driving awkward loads as low as 1.7Ω, below this the amplifier is protected against shorted speakers and reactive loads.

The power supply uses a low noise generously rated toroidal transformer and 10,000µF smoothing capacitors that provide enough current to drive the most awkward of loads.

We have avoided superfluous gadgets such as tone controls and headphone sockets as they obstruct the signal path and degrade sound quality. The Rega Ear (sold seperately) is a dedicated headphone amplifier designed specifically for this purpose offering far greater performance than an in built socket.

The Brio-Ris utilising the highest quality components and all of our engineers’ experience to achieve the best sonic performance and ensuring it is the most advanced and feature packed Brio to date.

INSTALLATION

The Brio-

will work well on most surfaces, such as a shelf or table, provided there is sufficient air around the amplifier to prevent overheating. If using a turntable, magnetic interference can be avoided by positioning the amplifier as far away from the cartridge as the tonearm lead will allow. Never stack other hi-fi equipment directly on top of the amplifier. The heat produced by the Brio-

is dispersed to the air by the case itself. Ensure that the case has an unobstructed air passage around it. Never place it directly on fabric or carpets.

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CONNECTIVITY

All the line level inputs and the line level output are made via RCA (Phono) connectors. The sockets on Rega amplifiers are identified as follows:

Left: Always the upper row and marked in WHITE

Right: Always the lower row and marked in RED

IMPORTANT: ALWAYS TURN OFF THE AMPLIFIER WHEN CHANGING

LEADS & SPEAKER CABLES.

Rear Panel Connections

Input 1 – Phono stage for use with a turntable only.

The Phono input can be used with moving magnet (MM) or HIGH OUTPUT moving coil (MC) cartridges.

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Earthing: For Rega turntables earthing is achieved via the Phono lead ground therefore a separate earth is not necessary. If your tonearm has a separate earth lead it will need to be connected to the grounding nut located on the underside of the amplifier.

Tonearm earthing nut

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Input 2-5 – Standard “Line level” Line inputs enable the connection of any additional sources such as CD players DVD, TUNER etc. Note the record output is disabled when input 5 is selected.

Input 5 – Record input “line level” We advise if a recording device with the ability to monitor the recording signal is connected to the amplifier, its output is connected to input 5 to stop possible feedback issues.

Record output For connection to any recordable device (such as a CD recorder). The output is a ‘record signal’ as selected by the main input selector 1-4. Note the record output is disabled when input 5 is selected. This output is not affected by the volume control.

Mains Power lead The supplied power lead should be connected to the ‘Power in’ socket also located on the rear of the unit.

LOUDSPEAKER CONNECTIONS

The Brio-Ris capable of driving all normal Hi-Fi loudspeakers, Rega recommends using loudspeakers with a nominal impedance of 8Ω. It is possible to run speakers as low as 4Ω however such units may cause the case to exceed 40° C above the ambient temperature.

Top row

RED

and BLACK left speaker

Bottom row

RED

and

BLACK

right speaker

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IN USE

Switch the Brio-

on by pressing the power button located on the left hand side of the front panel above the Rega Logo. After a few seconds you will hear a gentle click indicating the switch on relay has been released and the amplifier

is ready for use.

INPUT SELECTION

To change between inputs simply press the button marked ‘input’ to cycle through from 1 to 5.(This button can be held down to cycle quickly).

The selected input is highlighted by the corresponding red LED. Input selection can also be changed via the supplied remote control handset.

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MUTE

The mute function is available only via the remote control. This function mutes the power amplifier outputs. When selected a red LED is illuminated on the front panel, press again to deselect.

REMOTE CONTROL

The Brio-

is supplied with a dedicated remote control handset which allows you to select inputs 1 through 5, mute the unit and adjust the volume. (Batteries included 2 x AAA Alkaline).

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Brio-

SPECIFICATIONS

Input sensitivities for rated output level:

Input 1 (Phono) input sensitivity = 2.1mV at 47KΩ In p a ra ll el w ith 22 0p F .

Maximum Input 1 (Phono) input level = 100mV.

Input 2 to 5 (Line) input sensitivity = 210mV at 47K.

Maximum Input 2 to 5 (Line) input level = 10.25V

Power outputs at 230/115V supply voltage:

50Watts RMS both channels driven into the rated load of 8Ω .

58Watts RMS one channel driven into the rated load of 8Ω .

73Watts RMS both channels driven into the rated load of 4Ω .

93Watts RMS one channel driven into the rated load of 4Ω .

Continued high level use into 4Ω may cause the case to exceed 40° C above the ambient

temperature.

Power consumption:

195Watts at 230/115V into the rated load of 8Ω .

Record output level:

Record output level (with rated input levels) = 210mV.

Record output impedance = 470Ω .

Frequency response:

Phono 15Hz to 40KHz (-3dB points) / 27Hz to 20.5KHz (-1dB points).

RIAA accuracy (100Hz to 10KHz) ± 0.4dB typically better than ± 0.3dB

Line 12Hz (-1dB points) to 43KHz (-3dB points).

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TROUBLESHOOTING

No power - logo not illuminated

Is the mains supply connected and the socket

switched on?

Is the front panel on/off switch fully

depressed?

Check the fuse on the back panel and

the mains plug, Have either blown?

In the mains socket live?

(Plug in another appliance to check)

Replace with the same

rated fuse

Check household fuse or

contact an electrician

Switch the unit on (contact

Rega dealer if faulty)

Contact your Rega dealer

Correct the fault

Yes

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Is the amplifier connected to the desired

input and the correct input selected?

Are the speakers connected

correctly to the amplifier?

Is the volume set to the minimum?

Is the CD player selected with no

disc in the machine?

Correct the fault

Contact your Rega dealer

TROUBLESHOOTING

Power ON - Logo illuminated but no output

Correct the fault

Yes

Correct the fault

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TROUBLESHOOTING

Power ON - sound from one speaker only

Are the connections between the

speakers and the amplifier secure

and functioning correctly?

Are both channels of the speaker connected and working properly?

Are the cartridge connections at the head shell functioning? Check

cartridge tags

The source

is at fault

The amplifier or speaker

cables are at fault

Check the source component for faults. Swap

the output leads and check to see if the fault

swaps over

Contact your Rega dealer

Yes

Correct the fault by plugging them in. If the

wires are loose or not correctly soldered,

contact your Rega dealer.

There may be a fault in the amplifier/

speaker chain. Swap speaker cables.

Does the fault swap channels?

The speaker is at fault

Yes

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TROUBLESHOOTING

Loud hum through both speakers when ‘Phono’ is selected

Is the amplifier situated directly below the

cartridge?

Are there other pieces of HI-FI equipment

close to the turntable or amplifier?

Correct the fault

Yes

Contact your Rega dealer

Correct the fault

Has your tonearm a seperate earth

connection?

Connect as described on

page 5 of this manual.

Yes

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