Фонокорректоры — Rega AURA MC

The Aura MC, listed by Rega Research among its Reference products, is designed only for moving coil cartridges, with a three-stage circuit and a completely symmetrical, all-balanced signal path. Rega states that dedicating it to MC alone lets the design avoid compromises.

Key specs that matter

Resistive input loading is selectable at 50, 100, 150, 300 or 400 ohm, and capacitive loading at 1000, 2000, 3200, 4300 or 5700 pF. Gain is 69.5 dB in setting I and 63.5 dB in setting II. The quoted frequency response runs from 13.5 Hz at -3 dB to 100 kHz at -0.2 dB, RIAA accuracy is within 0.2 dB from 100 Hz to 50 kHz, and THD is 0.03%. The unit weighs 13 kg.

Engineering and use context

The first stage is a symmetrical, complementary class A amplifier built from parallel-connected Linear Systems ultra-low noise FETs set up as a symmetrical compound pair input stage. This arrangement removes bias current and coupling components between the cartridge and the input. Next comes a symmetrical class A differential stage with a common base driver, which forms the active element of the low-frequency RIAA equalisation. The third stage inverts the signal to create the balanced output and mirrors the topology of the second. The power supply is a symmetrical discrete tracking design with fast diodes and a low-noise voltage reference, and each stage has its own local supply with LED-referenced current generators, and Rega runs these supplies at a voltage 60% higher than typical preamplifiers to increase headroom. Polypropylene capacitors are used throughout, with 1% tolerance parts in the RIAA stages and audio-grade capacitors elsewhere. Gain, mute and mono switching are handled by relays. Like every Rega product, it carries a lifetime limited warranty for confirmed faults in manufacture, though wear and tear is not included.

Pairing

The Aura MC connects a turntable with an MC cartridge to the amplifier. Five resistive and five capacitive loading values plus two gain settings let it match the loading a cartridge maker specifies, and the mono switch serves mono records or a mono cartridge. With a balanced signal path end to end, the natural partner is an amplifier or preamplifier with balanced inputs. Owners of moving magnet cartridges need a different phono stage, since the Aura MC has no MM input.

Alternatives

Rega's Aos MC is a smaller two-stage phono preamplifier for MC cartridges in a half-width aluminium case.