The Rega Aethos is a high-performance integrated amplifier that represents a significant step up in the Rega product line. It is a no-compromise, all-analogue amplifier designed to be the musical heart of a high-end audio system. The Aethos is built on the design concepts of the successful Elex-R and Elicit-R, but takes the performance to another level with a dual-mono design, a fully discrete Class A pre-amplifier stage, and a powerful Class A/B amplifier circuit. Housed in a brand new custom-designed case, the Aethos is engineered to deliver music as faithfully as possible. Key Features Dual-Mono Design: The Aethos uses a dual-mono design with a custom-wound toroidal transformer to provide regulated and isolated power to each channel. High-Power Amplifier: Employs four 160W Sanken output transistors per channel, delivering 125W into 8Ω and 156W into 6Ω. Class A Pre-amplifier: Features a fully discrete, FET-based Class A pre-amplifier circuit for exceptional linearity and signal purity. Headphone Output: A high-quality headphone output is integrated in a way that does not impede the main speaker signal path. Versatile Connectivity: Includes five line-level inputs, a direct input for use as a power amplifier, and a pre-amplifier output. Robust Chassis: Housed in a heavy, new custom-designed case that provides superior thermal performance and a rigid, non-resonant housing. Uncompromising Power and Musicality The Aethos is engineered to deliver a consistently muscular and musical performance. Its Class A/B power amplifier, with its low-impedance emitter follower driver stage and four Sanken output transistors per channel, provides the amplifier with a huge amount of dynamic headroom. This allows the Aethos to drive even demanding speakers with ease and authority, delivering a tight, punchy bass, a nuanced midrange, and an open treble. The power and grace of its delivery ensure a truly engaging and effortless listening experience. Meticulous Dual-Mono Design Rega has gone to great lengths to ensure a pristine signal path. The Aethos features a dual-mono design, which means the left and right channels are completely separate. This design, powered by a custom-wound toroidal transformer with regulated supplies for the sensitive amplification and driver stages, eliminates channel cross-talk and ensures that each channel performs independently. This meticulous approach to circuit layout is a key factor in the Aethos's ability to create a deep, wide, and accurate soundstage. The All-Analogue Heart The Aethos is a purely analogue amplifier, designed without any digital circuitry to maintain a simple, clean signal path. Its pre-amplifier stage is a fully discrete, Class A design that uses FETs to ensure a linear response and minimize noise. The volume control is a unique combined feedback and passive system that changes both the input and feedback level, reducing noise and keeping channel imbalance to a minimum. This focus on pure analogue amplification ensures that the integrity of the original recording is preserved from input to output. Thoughtful Functionality and Build Quality The Aethos is built to a high standard, with a heavy, custom-designed chassis that contributes to its substantial 17.5 kg weight. The chassis acts as a large heatsink, ensuring the amplifier remains cool even under high loads. In addition to its five line-level inputs, the Aethos includes a switchable direct input, which bypasses the pre-amplifier stage and allows it to be used as a standalone power amplifier. The dedicated headphone output is another thoughtful feature, which is configured to not obstruct the main speaker signal path. The Listening Room Difference We’re a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on trust, not hype. Whether you’re visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don’t just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale. Specifications Power Outputs (at rated 230/115 V supply voltage) 125 W RMS both channels driven into 8 Ω156 W RMS both channels driven into 6 ΩNote: Continued high level use into 6 Ω may cause the case to exceed 40 °C above ambient temperature and activate the thermal shutdown. Headphone Output No load: 12.5 V32 Ω: 2.7 V54 Ω: 4 V300 Ω: 9 VSource impedance: 109 Ω Record Output Level (with rated input levels): 219 mVImpedance: 560 Ω Pre-amp Output Level (with rated input levels): 840 mVImpedance: 100 Ω Input Sensitivities (for rated output level) Input 1–5 and Record: 224 mV @ 17 kΩMaximum input level: 11.5 V (record output amplifier overload point)Direct input: 840 mV @ 50 kΩPower amplifier gain: 31.6 dB Frequency Response @ 100 W into 8 Ω Line input 1–5 and Record: 10 Hz (–0.8 dB) to 30 kHz (–0.5 dB)Direct input: 10 Hz (–0.8 dB) to 50 kHz (–0.5 dB) THD+Noise @ 100 W into 8 Ω Direct input (Power amplifier only): Typically 0.007% @ 1 kHz (22 Hz–30 kHz BW)Line input: Typically 0.007% @ 1 kHz (22 Hz–30 kHz BW) Power Consumption Maximum output: 415 W @ 230 V / 220 V / 115 V / 100 V into the rated load of 124 W RMS into 8 Ω Fuse Ratings T5 AL 250 V – 230 V / 50 Hz and 220 V / 60 HzT8 AL 250 V – 115 V / 60 Hz and 100 V / 50/60 Hz Dimensions W 433 mm × H 95 mm × D 360 mm (including speaker terminals) Weight 17.5 kg
