Rega's Saturn MK3 sits in a full-width case that complements the rest of the British hi-fi brand's range and boasts an independent DAC circuit and a high specification CD transport. Both sections are fully remote controllable via the supplied Solaris remote handset.

Rega has utilised a pair of Wolfson WM8742 digital to analogue converter ICs alongside its own digital to analogue converter and analogue output amplifier technology. Additionally, the manufacturer states you'll also find Rega's own CD section power supply resulting from the research and development of its reference CD player along with the improved microcontroller and display drivers.

Under the hood, the Saturn MK3 uses a high stability master clock and high capacity power supply in the CD circuitry. Rega also states the use of “high-performance PLL digital interface receiver, isolated digital inputs and high performance power supply architecture in the DAC circuitry”. We're told that signal switching between the CD and DAC functions are performed in the digital to analogue converter stage and that the signal path of the CD section in CD mode is kept to a minimum.

The new Saturn CD player features an improved USB input with asynchronous operation at sample rates of 44.1 to 192 kHz with a bit rate of up to 24 bits. In addition, the USB input has the same galvanic isolation as used in the Rega DAC-R and uses dedicated drivers in the computer, enabling full ASIO operation. Apparently, this eliminates signal degradation caused by generic windows based drivers. Naturally, Windows users will have to do the usual driver dance.

Further connectivity options include a pair of optical inputs, two Co-Axial inputs, and an added 'direct' digital output from the CD playback section.

The Rega Saturn MK3 CD-DAC will be available in Australia soon and will sell for $3,999 RRP.

Visit Rega for more information