Rega IO Integrated Amplifier
Hear the bass line and the drummer working together, with the singer clear above them.
A small system should still let you follow the band
On a sideboard or a small equipment shelf, an amplifier has to earn its space. You still want to follow the bass player and hear the singer clearly, rather than accept a small, thin sound because the system is compact. The important question is whether the amplifier suits your speakers and the way you listen.
Rega's analogue approach in a smaller amplifier
We chose the Rega io because it keeps Rega's direct, rhythmic presentation in a small, analogue-only amplifier. Its Brio-derived Class AB power stage uses Sanken output transistors and a linear power supply, with 30 watts per channel into 8 ohms.
At 180 mm wide, the io leaves room for a record player or another source without needing a full-width equipment stack. A moving-magnet phono input and two RCA line inputs cover a turntable plus a CD player or streamer with analogue outputs. There is no built-in DAC or streaming player, so a digital-only source needs an external DAC.
What the Specs Won't Tell You
Hear the bass player and drummer working together
Play a familiar song and listen for the start and finish of each bass note against the kick drum. The io's Brio-derived amplifier stage and linear supply support that sense of rhythm, provided the speakers and listening level are a sensible match.
Keep the voice and instruments clear on your records
With a moving-magnet cartridge, the built-in phono stage lets you connect the turntable without adding another phono box to the shelf. That circuit supplies the gain and RIAA equalisation a cartridge needs, so the record reaches the amplifier at the correct level and tonal balance. Listen for the singer's voice and the shape of the bass line, not just whether the record plays loudly enough.
What published listening reports found
What Hi-Fi? praised the io's clear voices, punch and ability to keep a bass-led track moving. It also found that some rivals offered more space and refinement around instruments. Its recommendation rests on the io's energy and directness, not on a claim that it is the most polished amplifier at the price.
Jason Kennedy at Hi-Fi+ reviewed the io as part of Rega System One, with a Planar 1 and Kyte speakers. He found convincing bass and drums and a strong sense of the musicians playing together, while describing the complete system as leaner rather than richly weighted. Those observations belong to that whole combination, not to the amplifier in isolation.
The Audio Two Verdict
We would start with the io for a compact, record-led system where clear voices and an easy-to-follow rhythm matter more than having digital connections built in. Speaker matching comes first: 30 watts can be useful power, but the speaker's sensitivity, impedance and your listening distance determine how far it goes. For a larger open room, demanding speakers or sustained high levels, we would compare it with a higher-powered amplifier rather than assume the small box can do everything. If you are also considering the Brio Mk7, listen through the same speakers at similar levels and judge the bass control, vocal texture and space between instruments, not just the extra connections.
Tech You Can Hear
| What You Hear | Why It Happens |
|---|---|
| Bass and drums remain easy to follow with suitably matched speakers | Brio-derived Class AB amplifier stage, Sanken output devices and linear power supply |
| MM records play with the gain and tonal correction they need | Built-in moving-magnet phono stage with RIAA equalisation |
| A turntable and two analogue sources fit into one small system | One MM phono input and two RCA line inputs in a 180 mm-wide chassis |
| Headphone listening does not play through the speakers | Front 3.5 mm socket with automatic speaker switching |
| Source selection is available from the listening seat | Supplied mini system remote with input-selection control |
Technical Highlights
- Power and circuit: 30 W per channel into 8 Ω; Class AB output stage and linear power supply.
- Analogue inputs: One stereo RCA MM phono input and two stereo RCA line-level inputs.
- MM phono loading: 47 kΩ in parallel with 220 pF; nominal input sensitivity 2.1 mV.
- Headphone output: Front 3.5 mm stereo socket; inserting headphones switches off the speakers.
- Audio connections: Analogue-only; no built-in DAC, record output, preamp output or dedicated subwoofer output.
- Controls: Front volume and input selection, with mini system remote included.
- Size and weight: 180 mm W × 68 mm H × 290 mm D; 2.9 kg.
Rega recommends speakers with a nominal impedance of 6–8 Ω. We would check lower-impedance models individually, especially for longer listening distances or louder playback. The compact case still needs air around it: allow at least 10 cm clearance in all directions, and do not stack other equipment on top or enclose it in an unventilated cabinet.
If your turntable already has a phono stage, use a line input unless that stage can be bypassed. A low-output moving-coil cartridge needs a suitable external phono stage connected to a line input instead. If a subwoofer is part of the plan, ask us to check the connection method rather than assume there is a subwoofer socket.
Why Choose Audio Two
Audio Two ships across Canada. If you don't have access to a proper high-end dealer in your city, this is your way in: real expertise from people who've heard the system, matched the electronics, and can guide you through a decision this size.