The Rega Apollo is a top-quality CD player and is sanely priced, not to mention, it has won quite a number of accolades over the years through various versions. The latest iteration of the Rega Apollo now has a built-in Wolfson WM8742 DAC, providing even more value and sonic performance to its users. If you are using the previous version of the Apollo that doesn’t come with a DAC, do not fret as you can simply get a dedicated digital-to-analog converter to resolve this.
Finding a matching dedicated DAC for your Rega Apollo CD player will be the part you will require some effort and time. We must first learn more about the sonic characteristics of the Rega Apollo and from there, we will be able to find matching D/A converters to pair with this CD player. We will be planning to share with you a list of the best DACs which you can go for and match them with your Rega Apollo.
Table of Contents
Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Rega Apollo
Back in the day, the Rega Apollo is one of the finest CD players which you can get your hands on without worrying about breaking the bank. The top-loading design is unique and can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Loading a compact disc is slightly easier on a top-loading CD player, at least for me as I have fumbling hands. But this also means you will need open space at the top in order for you to load a CD onto the Rega Apollo and so in a way, it takes up more space than a slot-loading CD player. Finding a spot for the Rega Apollo in a listening room will be a bit fussier.
Since the Rega Apollo is a top-loading CD player, you wouldn’t worry about breaking the tray. I still have nightmares about the CD tray not closing as it not only ruin my music listening experience but also block the path in front of it. The older version of the Rega Apollo looks sleeker and has a larger footprint than the new version that looks more modern and compact. The big difference between the two versions will be the built-in DAC which the former doesn’t have and is quite a bummer in this day and age. Another notable difference will be their price points where the older version of the Rega Apollo is slightly more affordable.
More Details at Amazon – Rega Apollo with Wolfson DAC
The accuracy of the Rega Apollo is really impressive for a CD player at this price point and it probably can still compete with the top CD players in the same price range. The Apollo digs out details and produces them out in spades, without sounding clinical or trying to be analytical. The latest version of the Rega Apollo does have a bit more clarity and is slightly better in retrieving music details, partly due to the performance of its built-in digital-to-analog converter. The rich music presentation is enjoyable to listen to and the CD player never sounds harsh or hard when we push it.
The high-resolution music presentations have incredible timing and pacing, giving us an engaging music delivery of our favorite tunes where we can keep listening to them for hours on end. The Rega Apollo is agile and has the right speed, the transient is fast and confident which makes most music been played through the CD player an exciting music listening experience. Listeners who prefer the warmer and more laid-back presentation of their favorite music might want to choose another CD player or fine-tune the sound quality with different HiFi audio components such as a DAC, loudspeakers, amplifiers, and others.
This is an award-winning CD player and there is no doubt in its sonic performance at this price range. It has a sound quality that is fun and entertaining without compromising accuracy. The stereo imaging of the Rega Apollo is precise, sounded clean, and has a wide soundstage as well. The overall sound reproduction is well-organized and cohesive. Its treble can be a bit too excitable at times but doesn’t go overly bright which is great. It is definitely worth every penny invested, still, you might want to go with the latest version since it has a built-in D/A converter. We have prepared a list of the best DACs that you can choose to get and pair with your Rega Apollo CD player, please check them out below.
Best DACs to pair with Rega Apollo
The Rega DAC will be one of the best DACs to pair up with your Rega Apollo CD player. This is an absolutely ideal choice for listeners who want an engaging music presentation whenever they listen to their favorite tunes. The Rega DAC has a wide range of dynamics and the swings are agile with precision. It doesn’t just go over the top, there is some musical refinement in its music delivery too. The overall sound reproduction is filled with energy and doesn’t neglect the music details. The detailed music presentation of the Rega DAC will fit really well with the Rega Apollo CD player.
The Audioengine D1 is one of the best DACs to match with the Rega Apollo. It has a friendly price point which will bring a smile to listeners who have a tight budget. The Audioengine D1 may be affordable but it doesn’t compromise the sound quality. This is a very highly rated D/A converter and is well received by its users. The D1 DAC has a neutral sonic character with a hint of warmth and smooth music delivery. The musicality of the Audioengine D1 will be a suitable match with the Rega Apollo CD player. The level of performance you are getting from a DAC at this price point is pretty impressive.
More Details at Amazon – Audioengine D1 Premium Desktop Digital to Analogue Converter
The Topping E30 is another outstanding DAC with a very modest price tag and will be a suitable match with the Rega Apollo. It is a compact desktop D/A converter capable of supporting up to 32-bit/768kHz resolution (PCM) and decodes DSD512 audio files. Topping E30 has a small footprint which makes it easier to place it very near to the Rega Apollo CD player. It has 2 modes to choose from, preamplifier mode and DAC mode. We will suggest choosing the latter as the sound quality is better. At this price point, the E30 digital-to-analog converter makes an excellent step up for the Rega Apollo CD player.
More Information at Amazon – TOPPING E30 DAC (Black)
If portability is your main concern then the Chord Mojo will be an exemplary DAC choice for you and your Rega Apollo CD player. It is very compact and even has a headphone output, providing you with even more value. The Chord Mojo has garnered plenty of praise from discerning critics to audiophiles who simply want to enhance their music listening experience. The Mojo DAC is able to dig out lots of music details including subtle ones and has impressive dynamic handling which complements the Rega Apollo really well. The visual design of the Chord Mojo can be a bit too striking for the Rega CD player.
More Information at Amazon – Chord Mojo DAC
The Rega DAC-R is another amazing D/A converter that will match really well with the Rega Apollo. Since they are made by the same reputable company, we can expect Rega’s sound signatures in them and to give us a seamless overall sound reproduction. With higher sampling rates, the Rega DAC-R has slightly more insights than its predecessor which is good news for us. The high-resolution music presentations delivered by the DAC-R is rhythmic and engaging, not to mention, it can deliver a satisfying impact as well. The Rega DAC-R is a fine D/A converter choice and is worth your time to check it out.
More Details at Amazon – Rega DAC-R 32bit/192kHz Wolfson
For listeners who want a slightly calmer music delivery, the Musical Fidelity V-DAC II will be an ideal DAC to go for and partner with the Rega Apollo CD player. This is a musical-sounding D/A converter with a smooth music delivery that is rich in details. It has a pleasing sound quality as well and is easy on the ears, you can keep pushing the volume up and the Musical Fidelity V-DAC II doesn’t sound overly harsh. The Rega Apollo alacrity performance does help to add some energy into the overall sound reproduction. This is a modestly priced DAC that will provide a smoother and slightly laid-back music presentation.
More Details at Amazon – Musical Fidelity V-DAC MKII
To Sum It Up
We will suggest going through the DAC list and choosing a few of them for an audition. It will be recommended to test the DACs in your own listening room along with the Rega Apollo CD player as this will give you a more accurate result. Feel free to use these D/A converters as a reference when searching for other DAC models or brands. Just remember to audition them first before making the final decision so that you will know the sound quality is to your liking.
