CES 2009

Rega had a (ta dah!) high-end integrated, the 90Wpc Elicit Mk.II ($3000). "We wanted something that was actually a step up from our separates," Steve Harris, president of The Sound Organisation, Rega's US importer confided. "The Apollo CD player was so far above its competition, we felt as though we needed to up our game with the new one—especially since the older version was considered the finest amplifier we ever made."

The Elicit comes with five line-stage inputs, but both MC and MM phono boards are available (price tbd). I surprised that the large knob n the front panel controls both source and volume (but then I spotted a mode button that toggles between functions). It sounded fast and precise driving Elac loudspeakerrs—it had pace, as Martin Colloms likes to say. I've frequently liked Rega's sound, but this time I really liked what I was hearing.

I guess they really did elevate their game.