This is an award-winning integrated amplifier, well-regarded by critics and audiophiles. A modern and stylish-looking amplifier, the Rega Elex R not only looks good but sounds even better. The Elex R integrated amp is capable of providing its users with exceptional sonic performance and high sound quality, but even with all these strengths, it does have limitations.
It doesn’t have a built-in DAC and for listeners who are looking for a way to connect to their computers, laptops, Mac, etc., or playback high-resolution audio files, you will probably need a dedicated D/A converter. The computers’ onboard sound cards are usually not as good as a high-quality DAC and due to this, the sound quality may suffer. Fortunately, there are plenty of choices to go for and come with a wide range of prices that can fit anyone’s budget. DACs are getting better over the years and now the question is which one?
We should go for DACs which are matching to the Rega Elex R and fit our preferences. Elex R is an engaging performer and is incredibly agile, able to confidently make its way through the music with rhythm and remaining stable throughout. The overall bass performance is tight and articulate, the pacing of the low frequencies delivery goes hand in hand with the upper registers. There is energy in its overall sound reproduction and provided us with a lively music presentation. It is fun to listen to the Rega Elex R but it may be a bit too energetic for listeners who just want to relax and enjoy their music. It is a detailed music presenter as well and is able to produce them out with confidence.
More Information at Amazon – Rega Elex-R
The Rega Elex R is a musical and energetic integrated amplifier, you might want to go for a dedicated DAC which will complement these sonic characteristics and/or fine-tune the overall sound quality to your liking. Your preferences will also determine which D/A converter you should go for. This is why we will need to work out your DAC requirements. We will also be preparing a list of the best DACs to match with the Rega Elex R and the price points of these digital-to-analog converters will be taken into consideration. But first, let us start working on your DAC main requirements.
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DAC Main Requirements
You should find out how much you are willing to invest in a dedicated DAC, the higher your budget the more potential choices you can go for. We will suggest setting aside a comfortable amount with some headroom as your budget. The small headroom will be useful if you found a D/A converter which you really like but cost a bit more than expected. This can be an opportunity to get a DAC with a powerful headphone amp as the Rega Elex R may not be able to fully drive demanding headphones with high impedance. If you do not have a headphone or not planning to get one then this requirement is not necessary.
Do you play competitive games and if it is a yes then a gaming DAC may be an ideal choice for you especially those with podcast quality microphone inputs. You will also need to check if there is enough space for an additional DAC component in your listening room. If there is limited space, you might want to go for D/A converters which are compact in size. Getting those with high portability will be a good idea as you can move them around easily and keep them once you are done. Portable DACs usually have smaller footprints than desktop versions.
What type or how many digital connections you require, will also influence the DAC you will be getting. You should take some time to work this out as you wouldn’t know you might need a digital connection for a future device. DACs have their own sonic characteristics and you can pick the ones which complement the Rega Elex R or will slightly alter the sound quality to your liking. These are some of the main DAC requirements and you should add more of your own to this list so as to make it more thorough. When you have gone through all the requirements and are confident of the type of DAC you need then please check out the list of the best DACs which you can go for and match them with your Rega Elex R integrated amplifier.
Best DACs to match with Rega Elex R
The Schiit Audio Bifrost 2 is one of the best DACs to match with your Rega Elex R integrated amp. This outstanding D/A converter adds a bit of warmth and provides a smoother music delivery. It is well-balanced too, able to produce a punchy bass performance that is articulate and impactful. The overall bass performance of the Schiit Audio Bifrost 2 will complement the Rega Elex R really well. The Bifrost 2 soundstage is wide and spacious, there is ample depth as well. The D/A converter’s stereo imaging and spacing are superb, making full use of the large soundstage in front of us.
More Info at Amazon – Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC with Unison USB – D to A converter
The Rega DAC-R will be one of the best DACs to pair with the Rega Elex R. Since it is made by the same company, the sound signatures of the Rega DAC-R share some resemblance with the Elex R integrated amplifier. Like the Rega amplifier, the DAC-R is an energetic performer which delivers an exciting music presentation where you will feel like standing up and start dancing. The Rega DAC-R is very well-organized as well, making sure the music presentation is cohesive and not going all over the place. This D/A converter has impeccable music timing and can deliver taut bass reproductions.
More Info at Amazon – Rega DAC-R Digital to Analogue Converter with Remote
If you need a portable DAC then the Chord Mojo is an excellent choice to go for. This is an award-winning DAC with a unique visual design and even has a built-in headphone amplifier, providing more value to its users. The Chord Mojo will match really well with the Rega Elex R, it has the insights and can produce plenty of details with clarity. The high-resolution music presentations are cohesive and rhythmic driven. The Chord Mojo alacrity music performance makes it a suitable match with the Rega Elex R amplifier and the portability will be great for listeners who have limited space in their listening rooms.
More Information at Amazon – Chord Mojo DAC
The Audiolab M-DAC+ will be an outstanding desktop DAC for listeners who want entertaining sound quality. It is a well-regarded D/A converter that has garnered many accolades and will be a worthy match with your Rega Elex R integrated amplifier. The Audiolab M-DAC+ has fantastic dynamics and a high level of transparency, digging out subtle details and producing them out in spades. The DAC’s music handling, timings, and wide dynamic range enable it to provide us with a rich and exciting music presentation. Audiolab M-DAC+ is capable of projecting a wide spacious soundstage which suits the Rega Elex R really well.
More Info at Amazon – Audiolab M-DAC+ High-Performance DAC – Silver
The FiiO K5 Pro is a compact desktop DAC and will be an exemplary choice for the Rega Elex R especially if you have limited space on your desktop. This is a modestly priced D/A converter with AK4493 DAC chips, capable of supporting up to 32-bit/768kHz resolution and decodes native DSD audio files. The FiiO K5 Pro neutral with a hint of warmth sonic characteristics will fit nicely with the Rega Elex R and the amplifier’s enthusiasm helps to add more excitement into the overall sound reproduction. This is a very highly rated DAC and will be a worthy match for the Rega Elex R.
More Info at Amazon – FiiO K5 Pro AK4493EQ 768K/32Bit Deskstop DAC
For listeners who are looking for a gaming DAC, you might want to take a look at the Schiit Audio Hel. There is a podcast quality microphone input, enabling you to deliver crystal clear voice quality over to your teammates, not to mention, great for recording too. The Schiit Audio Hel has a very polished background and will work well with the Rega Elex R, providing you with a cleaner music delivery. The quiet background also allows us to pick up more details and gives us more insight into the music. For a gaming DAC at this price point, the sound quality is really good for the money and the Schiit Audio Hel will excel in music playbacks.
More Info at Amazon – Schiit Hel High Power Gaming DAC with Microphone Input
To Sum It Up
Before you make your final decision, you probably should make an arrangement to audition these DACs and see which one you like to hear the most. You can also shortlist the DACs for auditions based on your budget or requirements. These D/A converters are some of the best on the market and will be a remarkable DAC partner for your Rega Elex R integrated amplifier. They are certainly worth your time to at least check them out. Feel free to use this DAC list as a reference when looking for other digital-to-analog converter models.
