Installation - Rega Aria Manual

Technology
The Aria has two entirely separate high performance phono stages. One fully adjustable dedicated
moving coil and a moving magnet stage. Each stage has its own separate input sockets and input
pre amplifier circuitry. This enables Rega to design bespoke input circuitry for each cartridge without
compromise. The MM/MC signal switching is performed at a high level and a low impedance using
relays thus not causing any degradation of the signal.
The MC input uses parallel connected low noise FET's (Field Effect Transistor) configured as a
compound pair configuration. The use of FET transistors ensures there is no bias current flowing in the
cartridge coil so as not to upset the delicate magnetic geometry of the cartridge. The MC input has the
provision for selecting resistive input loading of 70 to 400Ω and capacitive loading of 1000 to 4200pF.
The input sensitivity can be changed by 6dB, via the back panel.
The MM input uses low noise bipolar input transistors also configured as a compound pair. There
are two separate power supplies for each channel and further sub power supplies for each of the
low noise input circuits. Nichicon FG electrolytic capacitors have been used in critical positions in
the power supplies. ICEL and Wima polypropylene capacitors have been used in the signal path and
equalisation networks. Discrete circuitry is used throughout the signal path ensuring full control of the
circuit design.

Installation

The Aria will work well on most surfaces, provided there is sufficient air around it to prevent
overheating. To avoid any possible magnetic interference and increased hum levels, position the Aria
as far away from the turntable as the tonearm lead will allow, this ensures all delicate electronics are
kept away from other transformers and motors etc. Try not to stack other Hi-Fi components directly
on top of each other. Given the nature of sensitive high gain phono amplifiers, the Aria may need
placing away from high power amplifiers that use large transformers. If in the rare event that low level
noise should become overly intrusive, try using the lower gain setting, and move the unit away from
possible noise sources as described.
The minimal heat produced by the Aria is dissipated by the case, particularly the left hand side. Try to
ensure that the case has an uninterrupted air passage around it. The Aria circuit has been carefully
designed to work with a minimal "warm up" period of just a few minutes as the sensitive input circuits
stabilise and reach their optimal operating conditions. The MC input circuit uses a self-adjusting servo
control to keep the MC input circuit at its optimum operating point, compensating for any variations in
ambient and operating temperature.
2