Phantom Posted April 23, 2010 Posted April 23, 2010 (edited) I might have to get a listen to this combination, I just got some Usher Dancer Twos and am looking for a source and amp. I have a feeling that the Apollo and the Cayin might be a good bet. Thanks Bunyip. Hey mazco, interesting to see someone else with an Apollo and cayin a-55tp. And I totally agree with you, they are a terrific pairing. Rounded out perfectly, in my case, with pmc gb1is. Edited April 23, 2010 by Phantom typos
Phantom Posted April 23, 2010 Posted April 23, 2010 (edited) Just a quick PS to my post above, does anyone here know what price the Apollo or Saturn can be bought for and is anyone doing good deals on them? Thanks for any help. Edited April 23, 2010 by Phantom typos
Bunyip Posted April 23, 2010 Posted April 23, 2010 No worries Phantom. I've seen the Apollo for $1299 at Carlton Audio. Although looking just then it's back up to $1499. A few of their prices seem to have taken a hike lately. HiFi Trader has them for $1299, and Saturn for $2,999/ http://www.hifitrader.com.au/category28_1.htm Check out second hand on ebay. I got my Apollo second hand, under a year old, for $860.
My Rantz Posted April 23, 2010 Posted April 23, 2010 Just a quick PS to my post above, does anyone here know what price the Apollo or Saturn can be bought for and is anyone doing good deals on them?Thanks for any help. $1499 and $2499 respectively at Carlton Audio. Woops, you get the same message twice now.
vmhf Posted April 27, 2010 Author Posted April 27, 2010 Hi My Rantz. What did you like about the Saturn over the Apollo SE? I too have a Rogue Audio tube preamp. The Athena. It puts all the big name tube players to shame considering what I paid for it only late last year. I now have a new Bel Canto DAC3 and am keen to see how my Rega Apollo SE goes as a standalone transport. Cheers.
My Rantz Posted April 27, 2010 Posted April 27, 2010 Hi vmhf, The Apollo SE was really extremely nice and it's very close to the Saturn and could have easily lived with it. Having the chance to bring the Saturn home and give it a really good extended audition, I found there was a slightly better handling of the low end and a smoothness to the music that was simply alluring for want of a better word. Makes me wonder what the Isis can do, but at 12 grand, I'll never be finding out. The Rogue stuff is really wonderful, the Athena would be sensational considering what the 99 does to my music. I'll be interested in reading your take on what the BC does with the SE.
MrBurns84 Posted April 28, 2010 Posted April 28, 2010 Apollo SE as a transport is overkill in my opinion..
vmhf Posted May 3, 2010 Author Posted May 3, 2010 Some people spend tens of thousands on transports. Getting the digital bits off the disc with absolute purity will usually result in the best sound coming out of a DAC if I am not correct. I have just compared my Marantz SA-11S2 to the Rega Apollo SE as transports into the Bel Canto DAC3 and must say the results are better than using my Sonos as the source. Even though my Sonos is streaming Apple Lossless data. The Marantz, being built like a Sherman tank, seems to give the best sound. The Rega's sound is more 'rounded' or smooth around the edges that some people may prefer. Yes, Mr Rantz, the Athena has another level of refinement over the 99 which itself is a fine preamp. I have listened to both of them. Plus the Athena offers much more flexibility in connections. Comparing the Rega's on board DAC to the Bel Canto DAC3 is like comparing chalk and cheese. Depends what sound does it for you. I like both depending on my mood!
My Rantz Posted May 3, 2010 Posted May 3, 2010 Thanks for the comparisons. It will be some time before I go the DAC route, however for what can be had for the money these days makes them very enticing. The Athena is a great pre, but way out of my league price-wise at present. I was lucky to get a great deal on the 99 and even then I had to ease into it softly because of you know who. Much the same with all the gear
at68 Posted May 13, 2010 Posted May 13, 2010 I have owned a Rega Jupiter since 2003. It is the best Hifi purchase I have ever made. I purchased an Arcam and was disatisfied after 12 months, so I went to CAV and auditioned the Planet, Musical Fidelity, Marantz, Higher Arcam and Cyrus. Both Rega players stood out for their extreme musicality, laid back style, analogue sound. I also found they have great soundstage width, but less height than other players if that makes sense. I also found the mid bass was lean on all players except the Rega, and the top end was slightly rolled which suits my tastes. At the time, the Rega scored 4 stars in the W*Hifi mag, and most of the others scored 5. I found most of the others to be fatiguing after an extended listening at CAV. 7 years on I have had no service issues (touch wood), and my original reasons for purchase have not altererd. I have never had upgradeitis with this player. So congrats on the Rega, and I hope it gives you as many years good service as mine has.
Bunyip Posted June 20, 2011 Posted June 20, 2011 Congrats Luc, I'm really digging mine - let us know how you like it?
mikey d Posted June 20, 2011 Posted June 20, 2011 You won't regret the Rega Lee. Just match it with a Unico Secondo & find a nice pr of Aussie speakers.
mikey d Posted June 20, 2011 Posted June 20, 2011 Didn't notice the Quad amp......well maybe a nice pr of Brit speakers to match.
vmhf Posted June 20, 2011 Author Posted June 20, 2011 Great to see this threads revival! I miss the Rega Apollo SE...
Luc Posted June 20, 2011 Posted June 20, 2011 You won't regret the Rega Lee. Just match it with a Unico Secondo & find a nice pr of Aussie speakers. Hi ya Mikey: Quad speakers, haven't found an amp yet so the gear is just sitting in the library room in it's boxes...watching me. I probably made a mistake posting in here as I posted before I checked the thread title, mines a common garden variety Apollo not the SE, still, I'm looking forward to hearing it. I was just googling stuff last night about it and that's how I uncovered this old thread, interestingly I came across a price for one these brand new(not the SE) at a shop in Vic @ only $899.00. That's good buying IMO.
SONDEKNZ Posted November 18, 2024 Posted November 18, 2024 (edited) An old thread. I know, I know... But we too love our REGA Apollo SE 35th Anniversary CD-player! This photo was taken back in Auckland - before we moved to China. Our superb CREEK 4040 Mk. III amplifier is long gone, but the REGA CD-player and the REGA Kyte hot-rod loudspeakers are still as good as ever. I only wish the REGA CD-player had a digital input, so it could be used for streaming, also. I wonder how difficult it would be to DIY such a digital input? Any thoughts anyone? Edited November 18, 2024 by SONDEKNZ
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