Rega - Aos MC Moving Coil Phono Stage

A two-stage pure analogue moving coil stage with no digital control anywhere in the signal path — new for 2026.

Announced in February 2026, the Aos sits between the Fono MC Mk4 and the reference Aura, and its design brief is unusually specific: a two-stage, pure analogue circuit with no digital control circuitry anywhere in the signal path.

The input stage uses parallel-connected low-noise FETs, chosen deliberately because they avoid introducing bias current into the cartridge coils — a real consideration with a generator that produces a few hundred microvolts. It also inherits the Aura’s self-adjusting servo for temperature compensation, which is not something you normally see at this price.

Adjustment is via rear-panel DIP switches for loading plus a 6dB gain toggle: high gain at 69.3dB, which Rega recommends for its own moving coils, or low gain at 63.5dB. Loading resistance offers 70, 100, 150 and 400 ohms, with 1000pF or 4300pF capacitance. Distortion is 0.03%.

It comes in a half-width custom aluminium case at 2.9kg, draws 20W in use and 0.4W in standby, and has an automatic standby function you can defeat via the DIP switches if you would rather it stayed on.

Features

• Two-stage pure analogue design with no digital control circuitry in the signal path
• Parallel-connected low-noise FETs chosen to avoid bias current in the cartridge coils
• Self-adjusting servo for temperature compensation, inherited from the reference Aura
• Four loading resistances — 70, 100, 150 and 400 Ω
• Two capacitances — 1000pF and 4300pF
• Two gain settings — 63.5dB and 69.3dB
• Defeatable automatic standby; 20W in use, 0.4W standby
• Half-width custom aluminium case, 2.9kg

Specifications

• Type: Moving coil phono stage
• Topology: Two-stage, pure analogue, with no digital control circuitry anywhere in the signal path. Parallel-connected low-noise FETs at the input, chosen to avoid introducing bias current into the cartridge coils
• Gain at 1kHz: High gain (0dB position): 69.3dB, which Rega recommends for its own moving coil cartridges. Low gain (−6dB position): 63.5dB
• Adjustment: Rear-panel DIP switches for loading; 6dB gain toggle
• Input Loading Resistance: 70, 100, 150 and 400 Ω
• Input Loading Capacitance: 1000pF and 4300pF
• THD: 0.03%
• Frequency Response: 17.5Hz (−3dB) to 100kHz (−0.2dB)
• RIAA Accuracy: Better than ±0.2dB, 65Hz to 70kHz, into a 100k Ω output load
• Standby: Automatic standby, defeatable via the DIP switches
• Power Consumption: 20W operating; 0.4W standby
• Connections: RCA, unbalanced
• Dimensions: 220 x 80 x 330 mm (W x H x D), half-width custom aluminium case
• Weight: 2.9kg
• Announced: 25 February 2026
• Origin: Made in England. Rega Research Ltd, Southend-on-Sea, Essex
• Warranty: Lifetime Limited Warranty against confirmed manufacturing defects. It excludes wear and tear and parts considered consumable, and Rega states that unauthorised modification or failure to follow its guidelines may invalidate it
• Not Published: Signal-to-noise ratio
• Note: A caution on comparing RIAA accuracy figures across Rega’s phono stages: the frequency windows and the output loads they are measured into differ from model to model — the Fono units are quoted into 50kΩ, the Aos into 100kΩ. The numbers are not directly comparable and should not be read as a ranking