Rega Aria MK3 MM/MC Phono Stage – Pre Amplifier

ARIA MK3 MM/MC

Housed within our latest half-width custom-designed case to give it a fresh new look and match the range are two entirely separate, high-performance phono stages. One fully adjustable, dedicated moving coil and one moving magnet. Each stage is designed and engineered to maximise the potential of your vinyl system whilst remaining easy to use and set up.

The Aria is an “all-analogue amplifier” with no digital control circuitry. The fully aluminium case screens the internal circuit from any stray RFI signals. Our designers have avoided including any superfluous gadgets as they obstruct the signal path and degrade the sound quality. The Aria incorporates many innovative design ideas, including a self-adjusting servo control to keep the MC input circuit at its optimum, compensating for any variations in ambient or operating temperature.

Both stages have their own separate input sockets and input pre-amplifier circuitry. This enabled us to design bespoke input circuitry for each cartridge type without compromise. Signal switching is performed at a high level and low impedance (via relays), ensuring there is no degradation of the signal.

KEY FEATURES

• High-performance switchable MC & MM stage
• Fully adjustable MC stage
• MC input uses parallel connected low noise FET’s
• MM input uses low-noise bipolar transistors
• Custom-designed case
• All analogue amplifier
• Bespoke input circuitry for MM & MC
• Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects

MM Stage design & features

The MM input uses low-noise, bipolar input transistors also configured as a compound pair. There are two separate power supplies for each channel and further sub-power supplies for each of the low-noise input circuits. Nichicon FG electrolytic capacitors have been used in critical positions throughout the power supplies. Polypropylene capacitors have been used in the signal path and equalisation networks. Discrete circuitry is used throughout the signal path, ensuring full control of the circuit design.

MC Stage Design & Features

The MC input uses parallel-connected, low-noise FETs (Field Effect Transistors) configured as a compound pair. The use of FET transistors ensures there is no bias current flowing in the cartridge coil so as not to upset the delicate magnetic geometry of the cartridge. The MC input has the provision for selecting resistive input loading of 70 Ω to 400 Ω and capacitive loading of 1000 pF to 4200 pF. The input sensitivity can be changed by 6 dB via the back panel.

Specifications