AMPS WITH PHONO STAGES
REGA ELEX-R
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whf.cm/Elex-R
£949
Michael Phelps wouldn’t be considered the greatest Olympian of all time had he settled for his gold rush in 2004 and not persevered by coming back every four years to win some more. Likewise, the Rega Elex-R has been nothing if not persistent since its arrival, when it was rewarded with a first Award in 2014.
It managed to keep hold of that Award right up until 2019 when Cambridge launched the excellent – and slightly pricier – CXA81. Still, the Elex-R remains a class leader and a great alternative – especially in the context of this roundup; the CXA81 has no phono stage.
Built to last
The build quality is as solid as we expect from Rega, and while the casework is functional rather than luxurious, it’s finished neatly and everything feels as though it will last for years.