Rega Solis Reference Stereo Power Amplifier
Rega Solis Reference Stereo Power Amplifier at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA The Rega Solis is the flagship reference stereo power amplifier from Rega Research (Southend-on-Sea, Esse x, UK), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY USA. The natural companion to the Rega Mercury reference preamplifier, the Solis is the culmination of four years of obsessive circuit development by Rega's engineering team, delivering 168W RMS per channel into 8 ohms and 305W RMS per channel into 4 ohms through fully discrete symmetrical circuitry with no op-amps in the signal path, with a power amplifier gain of 33.3dB, balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs, 12V trigger, independent mute function, and comprehensive protection circuitry in a 24.8kg hand-built chassis designed and assembled in England. Named after the Latin for sun — the Solis as the energy source, the Mercury as its nearest companion planet. Hi-Fi Choice concluded that the Mercury and Solis nail the brief with absolute assurance, delivering a Rega experience honed to perfection. What Hi-Fi? found the soundstage wide and deep through the Mercury/Solis pairing, describing an unusually transparent picture and a greater sense of kinetic aliveness than they had heard from a Rega system. Fully Discrete Symmetrical Circuit Architecture and Four Years of Development The Solis power amplifier uses fully discrete symmetrical circuitry throughout the signal path — no integrated circuit operational amplifiers, no compromises in the topology that four years of dedicated circuit development identified as optimal. Symmetrical circuit architecture mirrors the signal processing of the positive and negative audio signal halves through matched discrete transistor stages, cancelling common-mode noise and distortion that asymmetrical designs inevitably introduce. The separation of the preamplifier and power amplifier into independent chassis is a fundamental advantage of the Mercury/Solis separates configuration over integrated amplifier designs: the Mercury's low-voltage, high-sensitivity preamplifier circuitry is physically isolated from the Solis's high-current power amplifier stages, eliminating the electromagnetic and ground plane interference that forces integrated amplifier designers to make circuit compromises when co-locating these fundamentally incompatible circuit types. Power amplifier THD+Noise of typically 0.015% at 1kHz at 100W into 8 ohms — measured across the full 22Hz to 22.4kHz audio bandwidth — reflects the distortion performance of the discrete symmetrical topology at near-full output, a figure achieved without the current limiting or clipping behaviour that inflates distortion figures measured only at maximum power. Frequency response of 15Hz to 30kHz (-0.5dB) at 100W into 8 ohms ensures full-bandwidth linearity at high power levels across the complete audio spectrum. 168W/305W Power Delivery and Speaker Compatibility The Solis delivers 168W into 8 ohms and 305W into 4 ohms, with near-doubling of output power into lower impedance loads confirming that the output stage presents a low and consistent output impedance across the range of real loudspeaker loads. This power doubling behaviour distinguishes amplifiers with adequate power supply current headroom from those that compress into low-impedance loads, and confirms the Solis's capability to drive loudspeakers that present complex impedance characteristics at high output levels. The 500W power consumption at one eighth rated power into 4 ohms reflects the substantial power supply headroom that sustained 305W capability at 4 ohms demands. A 12V trigger input allows the Solis to power on automatically when a compatible preamplifier or source component sends a trigger signal, with the user-selectable standby mode reducing power consumption to 0.4W after one hour without signal. An independent mute function allows the Solis to be silenced at the amplifier without affecting the preamplifier or source chain. Short circuit protection, thermal cut-out, and DC protection circuits guard the connected loudspeakers and the Solis output stage against fault conditions. The Solis is also compatible with the Rega Aethos integrated amplifier used as a preamplifier, providing an upgrade path for Aethos owners who wish to add the Solis's power amplifier performance to an existing Rega system at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA. Key Features Fully Discrete Symmetrical Signal Path: No op-amps in the power amplifier circuit — matched discrete transistor stages in symmetrical topology for minimum distortion and maximum circuit transparency at all output levels. 168W into 8Ω / 305W into 4Ω: Near-doubling of output power into 4 ohm loads confirming consistent low output impedance and full current capability with demanding loudspeaker loads. 0.015% THD+Noise at 100W/8Ω: Full audio bandwidth (22Hz to 22.4kHz) distortion measurement at near-full output, not just at maximum power, confirming performance across the amplifier's full dynamic range. Four Years of Circuit Development: Rega's engineering team developed and fine-tuned the Solis circuit over four years, optimising for the most engaging and accurate performance achievable with discrete symmetrical topology. Balanced and Unbalanced Inputs: XLR balanced input at 1.64V sensitivity and 26k ohm impedance; RCA unbalanced input at 820mV and 35k ohm impedance for maximum system compatibility. 12V Trigger Input: Compatible with standard 12V trigger systems for automated power-on with compatible preamplifiers and source components. Independent Mute Function: Front-panel mute silences the Solis output independently of the preamplifier for convenient system control. Comprehensive Speaker Protection: Short circuit protection, thermal cut-out, and DC protection guard loudspeakers and output stage against fault conditions. User-Selectable Standby: 0.4W standby mode activates automatically after 1 hour without signal; user selectable. Compatible with Mercury and Aethos: Designed as natural partner for the Rega Mercury preamplifier; also compatible with Rega Aethos used as a preamplifier. Hand-Built in England: Each Solis is assembled by Rega in Southend-on-Sea with component selection optimised for superior audio properties. Lifetime Limited Warranty: Rega lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. Technical Specifications Output Power (8Ω, 1kHz, 0.1% THD) 168W RMS per channel Output Power (4Ω, 1kHz, 0.1% THD) 305W RMS per channel THD+Noise at 100W/8Ω (22Hz to 22.4kHz) Typically 0.015% at 1kHz Power Amplifier Gain 33.3dB Frequency Response at 100W/8Ω 15Hz to 30kHz (-0.5dB) Unbalanced Input Sensitivity / Impedance 820mV / 35k ohms Balanced Input Sensitivity / Impedance 1.64V / 26k ohms Power Consumption 500W at 1/8 rated power (42.5W into 4Ω) Standby Power Consumption 0.4W (auto after 1 hour) Trigger Input 12V Mute Function Independent, front panel Protection Short circuit, thermal cut-out, DC protection Dimensions (W x H x D) 435 x 140 x 385mm Weight 24.8kg Origin Handmade in England Warranty Lifetime Limited Warranty Awards and Critical Recognition Hi-Fi Choice, March 2026: "The Mercury and Solis nail the brief with absolute assurance; delivering a Rega experience honed to perfection." What Hi-Fi?, February 2026: "A hugely entertaining proposition that puts the music first — soundstage wide and deep, unusually transparent picture and a greater sense of kinetic aliveness." The Ear, December 2025: Editors' Choice alongside the Mercury preamplifier as Rega's reference duo. Frequently Asked Questions What is the Rega Solis? The Rega Solis is the flagship reference stereo power amplifier from Rega Research of the UK, available at Vinyl Sound Buffalo. It delivers 168W into 8 ohms and 305W into 4 ohms through fully discrete symmetrical circuitry developed over four years, with balanced and unbalanced inputs, 12V trigger, independent mute, short circuit and DC protection, and 0.015% THD+Noise at 100W. Hi-Fi Choice described the Mercury/Solis pairing as a Rega experience honed to perfection and What Hi-Fi? called it a hugely entertaining proposition that puts the music first. How does the Solis compare to the Rega Aethos integrated amplifier? The Rega Solis is a dedicated power amplifier designed for use with a separate preamplifier, while the Aethos is a fully integrated stereo amplifier rated at 125W into 8 ohms. The Solis delivers 168W into 8 ohms and 305W into 4 ohms — meaningfully more output power — through a circuit developed independently of any preamplifier stage, eliminating the electromagnetic interference that integrated amplifier chassis impose when co-locating preamplifier and power amplifier circuits. Rega designed the Solis to be fully compatible with the Aethos used as a preamplifier, providing an upgrade path for Aethos owners who wish to add the Solis's power stage performance to their existing system before upgrading to the Mercury preamplifier. What loudspeakers does the Solis work with? The Rega Solis is designed to drive the most demanding loudspeakers, with its near-doubling of output power from 168W at 8 ohms to 305W at 4 ohms confirming adequate power supply current for low-impedance and complex reactive speaker loads. Loudspeakers from Dynaudio, Spendor, Wilson Audio, Magico, Klipsch, Focal, and PMC that present challenging loads to lower-power amplifiers are well served by the Solis's current delivery. For systems at Vinyl Sound Buffalo pairing the Solis with demanding loudspeakers, the combination of 305W into 4 ohms and fully discrete symmetrical circuitry provides both the power headroom and the circuit transparency that reference loudspeakers resolve. Can the Solis be used in a mono bridged configuration for higher power? Rega does not specify a bridged mono operating mode for the Solis in the published specifications. For applications requiring more power than 168W into 8 ohms, the Solis's power delivery into 4 ohm loads of 305W is typically sufficient for all but the most demanding loudspeaker and room combinations. Vinyl Sound Buffalo can advise on system matching for specific loudspeakers where output power requirements may be a consideration. What is the advantage of a separate power amplifier chassis over an integrated amplifier? A separate power amplifier chassis physically isolates the high-current output stage from the preamplifier's sensitive low-voltage circuitry, eliminating the electromagnetic interference that power amplifier switching currents induce into the preamplifier circuits when both are housed in the same chassis. This interference raises the preamplifier noise floor and introduces distortion that cannot be fully eliminated by PCB layout or shielding in an integrated amplifier. The Solis is specifically positioned to benefit from this physical separation by pairing with the Mercury preamplifier, whose ultra-low 0.001% THD+N is only achievable because it operates in a chassis completely isolated from the Solis's high-current output stage. Where can I buy the Rega Solis in Buffalo, NY? The Rega Solis Reference Stereo Power Amplifier is available at Vinyl Sound USA Inc. in Buffalo, NY, your authorised Rega dealer serving Western New York and the United States. Vinyl Sound carries the complete Rega electronics lineup including the Solis, Mercury, and Aethos. Visit vinylsound.com or contact the Buffalo store for current availability and expert system matching guidance pairing the Solis with the Mercury preamplifier and compatible loudspeakers.
