Rega Valve IsisValve CD Player

Name: Rega Valve Isis - Valve CD Player
Brand: Rega
SKU: Valve Isis

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12 monthly paymentsfrom R 16 666 / month

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Delivered byMonday, 28 September

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Rega Valve Isis - Valve CD Player

The Rega Valve Isis is a premium valve-based CD player that combines advanced digital technology with classic valve amplification to deliver warm, articulate sound and exceptional signal integrity. Designed by Rega's head electronics engineer Terry Bateman, it offers superior audio performance for discerning audiophiles.

Product Overview

After 10 years of research, the Valve Isis integrates valve amplification in the CD player's output stage, inspired by musical instrument and recording amplification techniques since the 1950s. Its straightforward circuit design leverages the technical and sonic advantages of valves within a differential instrumentation amplifier, driven by a differential output DAC and a passive LC filter.

Key Features

Valve-based analogue stage using military specification triple mica 5814A (ECC82/12AU7) triodes
Wolfson WM8741 ultra high-performance digital-to-analogue converter
Output buffer and transformer driver stage with ECC88 (6DJ8/6922) triodes
Carefully selected components ensuring signal integrity throughout digital and analogue paths
Isolated PCB design separating digital, analogue, motor, display, and user interface processors
Bypassed electrolytic capacitors replaced with polypropylene or polyester film capacitors for enhanced sonic clarity
Custom Rega K-Power smoothing capacitors and fast diodes in power supply rectification
Enhanced control code for faster CD processor initialisation and improved user interface responsiveness
Fully regulated HT and LT power supplies with dedicated 50VA mains transformer for galvanic isolation
Isolated balanced output with high-quality balancing transformer matching Rega Ios MC amplifier standards

Technology

The Valve Isis features a differential output DAC driving a valve differential operational amplifier with minimal feedback for stable operation. The 5814A-based differential amplifier, combined with a solid-state current generator, is followed by a passive Butterworth second-order LC filter. The signal is then buffered by a low anode resistance ECC88 triode to drive the output and balancing transformer.

With a typical total harmonic distortion (THD) of 0.06%, predominantly even order harmonics, the player preserves valve sonic dynamics without overpowering the digital stage's qualities. Extensive tube rolling confirmed the 5814A triodes as optimal for microphonics, reliability, and sound quality.