• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Heed Elixir or Rega Brio-R (2017 Version)

StevenZ

StevenZ

Texas or nothin'
As the title states, having a hard time deciding between these two. I've asked Gene Rubin (who I'll be buying from) and he still prefers the Elixir to the 2017 Brio. However, I do respect What Hi-Fi? and their reviews which indicate a full 5-Star rating for the 2017 Brio, and a less than great review for the Elixir. Does anyone have any first hand experience on either or both of these who could shed some light?
 
Register to hide this ad
I had the Rega Brio-R for a few weeks, a couple of years ago.
The only time I liked it was when it was a bit loud, and right in the sweet spot.
I think it struggled and started sounding harsh and agressive when very loud.
And all frequency extremes (lows + highs) seemed to disappear at very low volume, it sounded like there was a small radio playing in a corner. That's what I really did not like about it.

I did not keep it, I now have the Marantz PM8005 and really like it. I also realized I wanted tone controls, even though I normally do not use them.

My speakers were, and still are, Monitor Audio Silver RX6
 
Bert, thanks for the reply anyway. I just realized the new 2017 is just called "Brio", lost is the "-R". I should have put that in the title but seems I can't modify it.
 
The addition of a headphone jack is an improvement to me, which to me should be standard.

I have the older BrioR without headphone and had to add an outboard headphone amp. In any case, the Heed also has headphone.
Stereophile gave the Heed a rave review: http://www.stereophile.com/content/heed-audio-elixir-integrated-amplifier

Art K on this forum has praised the Heed. http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/heed-audio-elixir.709507/
I think he also had the older BrioR without headphone.

I am a fan of Heed from owning a Heed headphone amp and Heed phono amp.


From Rega: "The Brio has a completely new case to house its improved circuits and parts. It now sits in a fully aluminium two-part case which boosts the Brio’s heat sinking capabilities and improves on Rega’s already solid build quality and reliability. The new Brio has a cleverly integrated headphone socket specially designed to avoid interference with the audio circuit when not in use and as you would expect, a very high specification moving magnet phono stage is built in as standard.

Don't forget to look at the Sonneteer Alabaster. I know, more expensive.
 
StevenZ said:
However, I do respect What Hi-Fi?
Click to expand...
I haven't heard either unit. I know Gene Rubin and respect his judgement — and so do you. Where you and I differ is What HiFi? I've given them a miss for years and maybe they've changed — but in the past it seemed they just reprinted the PR material from the manufacturers with a few word changes — their "reviews" were undeclared ads, accompanied by paid ads for same product on nearby pages.

Moderators, have at it. Just telling' it like it is (was).
 
Thanks for the insight. I don't think you will ruffle any feathers with giving your honest opinion of that site. I will go ahead and purchase the Heed as I also spoke with Art and got his approval of the Elixir as well.

Will post an update when it has shipped and when it arrives. I definitely look forward to hearing it
 
Sondek said:
BUMP!

@StevenZ

How did this journey end, Steven?
Click to expand...

The Heed was a fun amp. Always exhibited a lively and very fast sound, however it wasn't something I could live with for the long haul.

I found that I just couldn't take it seriously when trying to listen critically. It was always too jumpy, not very refined and I grew tired of it pretty quickly. It lasted maybe 2 months at my residence and was sold on. The second fastest exit from my stereo, next to the Dayens Menuetto.

If you're just looking for a fun and agile amp that doesn't try to rub shoulders with the HiFi crowd, I would recommend it. But if you're looking for a bit more sophistication and the ability to listen deeply it won't be your cup of tea.
 
StevenZ said:
The Heed was a fun amp. Always exhibited a lively and very fast sound, however it wasn't something I could live with for the long haul.

I found that I just couldn't take it seriously when trying to listen critically. It was always too jumpy, not very refined and I grew tired of it pretty quickly. It lasted maybe 2 months at my residence and was sold on. The second fastest exit from my stereo, next to the Dayens Menuetto.

If you're just looking for a fun and agile amp that doesn't try to rub shoulders with the HiFi crowd, I would recommend it. But if you're looking for a bit more sophistication and the ability to listen deeply it won't be your cup of tea.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the update, Steven. Appreciated.
 
StevenZ said:
The Heed was a fun amp. Always exhibited a lively and very fast sound, however it wasn't something I could live with for the long haul.

I found that I just couldn't take it seriously when trying to listen critically. It was always too jumpy, not very refined and I grew tired of it pretty quickly. It lasted maybe 2 months at my residence and was sold on. The second fastest exit from my stereo, next to the Dayens Menuetto.

If you're just looking for a fun and agile amp that doesn't try to rub shoulders with the HiFi crowd, I would recommend it. But if you're looking for a bit more sophistication and the ability to listen deeply it won't be your cup of tea.
Click to expand...

Hello StevenZ, Since you have ditched the amp I was thinking of buying (Dayens Menuetto) and u seem analytical in ur listenning, I thought you might give me ur recommendation about the amp u like nowadays.
Btw, I'm in the middle of the amp matching journey, trying to find a suitable one for my Triangle Comete EZ.
Thanks
 
Amirghaly said:
Hello StevenZ, Since you have ditched the amp I was thinking of buying (Dayens Menuetto) and u seem analytical in ur listenning, I thought you might give me ur recommendation about the amp u like nowadays.
Btw, I'm in the middle of the amp matching journey, trying to find a suitable one for my Triangle Comete EZ.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Thanks for reaching out. So, I'm going to say, if you're looking for an integrated amplifier I've found that the Nakamichi TA-3A is an absolute fantastic performer. It's an old receiver but has some solid engineering inside it (Nelson Pass / Threshold circuit). However, to get the most out of it, I'd suggest if you find one, send it to Stephen Sank of Talking Dog Transducer and have him work his magic on it. He offers a regular maintenance service which swaps a few parts and just overall makes sure it's ready for another long service life. And, he offers what he calls a "reasonable upgrade" which I'm not quite sure what he does there, but the cost is, well, reasonable. After he's worked on these units they're just fantastic.

That's the route I suggest to go if you can find a unit in good condition with remote. Unfortunately they're getting harder and harder to find lately and the prices are going up. Still, the price to performance ratio is really high and you'll get better sound from it than most any modern day integrateds I've tried used and at a much lower cost.
 
Also, if you're really hellbent on having separates, Stephen Sank can help here as well. I've used him when servicing my McIntosh MC250 and I know he offers a few modded preamplifiers that are supposed to be world beaters. His suggestions are solid and the results are far above the normal fray of HiFi these days.
 
StevenZ said:
Also, if you're really hellbent on having separates, Stephen Sank can help here as well. I've used him when servicing my McIntosh MC250 and I know he offers a few modded preamplifiers that are supposed to be world beaters. His suggestions are solid and the results are far above the normal fray of HiFi these days.
Click to expand...
Hello StevenZ,
Many thanks for your very fast rely!
Unfortunately I'm not from the US, I'm from a land far far away :) so whatever I'm gonna decide to buy I will shop from Europe to Egypt.
Anything that can be bought new from an online shop?
 
Amirghaly said:
Hello StevenZ,
Many thanks for your very fast rely!
Unfortunately I'm not from the US, I'm from a land far far away :) so whatever I'm gonna decide to buy I will shop from Europe to Egypt.
Anything that can be bought new from an online shop?
Click to expand...

Sorry, nothing comes to mind except for maybe Unison Research Unico or whatever their current model is. I've read good reviews of it and it looks like a solid option. Or maybe try the Rogue Audio Sphinx or Croft Integrated. I've never heard any of those though so I'm probably not much help here.
 
StevenZ said:
Sorry, nothing comes to mind except for maybe Unison Research Unico or whatever their current model is. I've read good reviews of it and it looks like a solid option. Or maybe try the Rogue Audio Sphinx or Croft Integrated. I've never heard any of those though so I'm probably not much help here.
Click to expand...
Thanks Anyways!
 
StevenZ said:
The Heed was a fun amp. Always exhibited a lively and very fast sound, however it wasn't something I could live with for the long haul.

I found that I just couldn't take it seriously when trying to listen critically. It was always too jumpy, not very refined and I grew tired of it pretty quickly. It lasted maybe 2 months at my residence and was sold on. The second fastest exit from my stereo, next to the Dayens Menuetto.

If you're just looking for a fun and agile amp that doesn't try to rub shoulders with the HiFi crowd, I would recommend it. But if you're looking for a bit more sophistication and the ability to listen deeply it won't be your cup of tea.
Click to expand...

Hi Steven
Could you say sth more about why you had fast exit from Dayens Menuetto?. Why you didn't like it? Is Rega Brio better in your opinion?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom