My audio system has gone through quite a bit changes in the last few months. I wanted to simplify my system – no tubes, no mono blocks ore even separate pre/power amps, just a solid state integrated amplifier. Not that I don’t like tube amps. They sound great, they are fun and looks cool (actually hot). But I found that I have listened less and less music because I couldn’t bother to turn on the valve amps, worrying that I may forget to turn them off when I am distracted by the kids. It would be nice to have a solild state system that I can just turn on in the morning and turn off at night – no big deal if I forget to turn it off.
So I started to ‘re-design’ my system. For reasons other than the sound, the first component to go is my beloved Merlin TSM-MM speakers. Yes, I still like it very much, so does my wife. We both agree that we will get the VSM floorstander in the future if we can afford to (well, probably only in my dream). However, there are a couple of things that the Merlins really bugs me. One of them is it likes tubes more than solid state. Yes, it can still sounds great with solid state, but the choice is limited. Most budge integrated amps are out of question. I have heard that the Jeff Rowland, Plinius and Sim audio are great match to the Merlin, but they are way too expensive for me at the moment. So I figure I will let it go for now, use my Pi for the time being while searching for a new amp.
I put my focus on UK made integrated amps for several reasons. First of all, there are many good quality UK integrated amps at around the 1-2K dollars mark. Yes, they are usually lower power, but 30W is probably all I need. Secondly, they are usually easier to the ears. Thirdly, they are usually compact, no fuss designs.
I have considered several brands – Cambridge Audio, Rega, Audiolab, Naim etc. The Cambridge audio is too complicated for me, lots for features, LCD display etc. The Naim is a bit too expensive, and the speaker binding post really restrict what speaker cable you can use and is a hassle. The Rega is great value, simple design and very smooth sounding, so I settled with the Rega Brio.
I have read some comments on the internet that the Brio is not a good match with horns speakers, which concerned me a bit. But to my surprise, it actually sounds really nice with my Pi. Very smooth mid and tops. I used to complain about the highs a bit edgy and I couldn’t listen to the speakers for long. But the Brio actually smooth it out a bit, even more than my Quicksilver mini mono tube amps. The midrange is slightly softer and recess compare to the mini mono, but again very smooth. I listened to the Brio with some Spendors speakers and thought that the smoothness was from the speakers only, but now I believe it comes from both the amp and the speakers.
Bass is OK. To honest, I am never fussy about bass. As long it is the right quantity and not too slow, I am happy. I still believe a system that has a great midrange is 80% there. For the Brio, bass is average, it is not extremely powerful or extended, but as good as you would expect from a NZ$1K amp.
In terms of the build quality and the look, I quite like the styling. The plastic knobs looks a bit cheap, but Ok from a distance. I think the black Brio looks way better than the silver one. Binding posts and RCA input jacks are reasonable quality, not exotic but works well.
In conclusion, I am pretty happy with the amp. It serves music very well and just do the job. If you want an amp that impresses your friends or really grab your attention, then looks elsewhere. It is NOT an exciting amp. But if you want an that just play music, that the Brio is a good choice. And this is just want I need at this stage.
