Aria - MM/MC MK3 Phono Vorverstärker - Rega

• Aria - MM/MC MK3 Phono Vorverstärker - Rega

Rega introduced its new phono stage, the Aria MK3 MM/MC, in 2020. This model is characterized by its technical optimization and integration into a modern housing in a "half-width" design. The Aria MK3 has two separate phono stages for MM (Moving Magnet) and MC (Moving Coil) cartridges, which are housed in one enclosure. Both inputs are flexibly designed to ensure easy handling and optimum adaptation to all MM and MC cartridges.
The Aria MK3 works completely analog, without digital control logic, and is protected against external interference fields by its aluminum housing. The developers at Rega have taken special care not to impair the signal quality with unnecessary circuitry tricks. Instead, the Aria MK3 contains innovative elements such as an automatic servo control to keep the MC circuit in the optimum operating range regardless of temperature.

The Aria MK3 circuits have dedicated input sockets and optimized input circuits for uncompromising operation of MM or MC systems. Switching between MM and MC is done by means of a relay at a point where the signal is already boosted to avoid interference.
In the MC input of the Aria MK3, low-noise field-effect transistors are connected in parallel in a complementary Darlington arrangement. The use of high-impedance FETs prevents an offset current at the input from affecting the function of the pickup. The pickup can be adjusted between 70 and 400 ohms and capacitively between 1000 and 4200 pF via microswitches on the rear of the device. In addition, the sensitivity can be increased by 6dB if required.
The MM input also uses low-noise bipolar transistors in a complementary Darlington circuit. This circuit is completely discrete and uses individual transistors. The power supply is channel-separated and additionally decoupled for the individual stages. Nichicon FG electrolytic capacitors are used at critical points in the supply, while polypropylene capacitors are used in the signal path and in the equalization.

Technical data

• Separate phono inputs for MM/MC
• MC input adjustable via switch
  
  • [Various impedances (70, 100, 150, 400 Ohm)
  • and capacities (1000, 2000, 3200, 4200 pF)]

MC input

• Input sensitivity: 70 µV (0 dB) / 133 µV (-6 dB)
• for 200 mV output voltage
• Total gain: 69.3 dB or 63.5 dB

MM input

• Input sensitivity: 1.7 mV for 200 mV output voltage
• Input impedance: 47 kOhm / 100 pF

Dimensions HxWxD: 78 x 218 x 315 mm
Weight: 3.1 kg