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Overview
Mercury pre-amplifier: uncompromising audio craftsmanship
The Mercury pre-amplifier was meticulously developed to deliver a truly uncompromised listening experience. Handcrafted to reveal the full potential of your hi-fi setup, it offers an ultra-low noise floor, producing exceptional dynamic range and transparency. Like Rega’s Solis, the Mercury represents the culmination of nearly four decades of solid-state amplifier expertise, combining innovation with refined engineering. Every detail has been carefully considered to ensure the most immersive and articulate sound reproduction possible. It’s a device that merges technical precision with musicality, ensuring your system performs at its peak.
Amplifier circuit design
Throughout the signal path, the Mercury utilizes a discrete, differentially driven, fully symmetrical high-linearity common-base voltage amplifier. Each stage employs high-current drive capability with complementary Class A output amplifiers. This symmetrical circuit topology provides both voltage and current to enable the Mercury to perform with minimal distortion. Critical stages use Linear Systems ultra-low noise FET (Field Effect Transistor) transistors in the differential quad pair input stages, the same topology as the Aura MC amplifier. These carefully chosen components ensure remarkable stability, responsiveness, and natural tonal expression.
Power supply engineering
The Mercury is powered by a generously rated toroidal transformer feeding a linear power supply. This discrete, symmetrical tracking supply employs fast diodes and low-noise voltage references. Each stage contains its own localized capacitance, multiplier supply, and LED-referenced current generators. To maximize headroom, the power supply voltage is 60% higher than in typical pre-amplifiers, allowing for exceptional dynamics and effortless control. This advanced power system ensures consistent performance even under demanding listening conditions.
Signal path and volume control
The Mercury’s Alps Blue Velvet RK27 volume control is paired with symmetrical common-base driver circuitry. Balanced inputs and outputs utilize high-quality relays and audio-grade polypropylene capacitors to preserve signal purity. The result is a transparent and lifelike reproduction of your music. The active volume circuit is precise and linear, delivering absolute control without introducing any unwanted coloration. These features combine to make the Mercury exceptionally musical while maintaining analytical accuracy.
Headphone amplifier
Special attention has been devoted to integrating the headphone output. Functioning like a mini Solis power amplifier, it uses the same symmetrical driver stage, delivering high voltage and current capability. The result is a headphone output that effortlessly drives both low and high impedance headphones with accuracy, power, and clarity. Whether casual listening or critical evaluation, this headphone stage ensures every nuance is faithfully reproduced.
Digital input circuitry
The asynchronous USB input is fully galvanically isolated with its own dedicated power supply. Extensive reclocking of both PCM and DSD data ensures ultra-low jitter, and two high-stability oscillators handle both professional and domestic sample rates. S/PDIF signals are recovered via a Wolfson receiver with PLL for minimal jitter and precise timing. The PCM and DSD data feed parallel Wolfson DACs, which then connect to the post-DAC symmetrical analogue filter and amplifier stages. Every component is chosen to balance technical and sonic excellence, ensuring a musical yet precise performance.
Protection and supervisory circuits
The Mercury features comprehensive protection monitoring for both main and headphone outputs. A microcontroller-based slow-start, standby, and power supervision circuit manages the transformer in-rush and monitors no-signal conditions, adhering to modern Eco requirements. The front-panel IPS LCD has a linear DC-adjustable backlight to eliminate noise, isolated from the audio path to preserve signal purity. This careful integration ensures reliability, safety, and longevity without compromising musical performance.
Balanced and unbalanced connections
For typical domestic use, unbalanced connections are recommended for optimal sound quality. While the Mercury supports balanced XLR connections for studio or professional applications, these additional circuits may introduce minor inherent noise. Balanced connections help cancel interference in long cable runs but do not inherently improve tonal quality for most home listening setups. Rega has included balanced inputs to accommodate studios or user preferences, while ensuring the pre-amplifier excels in its primary domestic role.
History and innovation
The Mercury is Rega’s most complex and component-rich product to date, reflecting decades of circuit innovation dating back to the original Elicit amplifier in 1990. Housed in a custom CNC-machined aluminium chassis, it combines robust mechanical integrity with sophisticated electronic design. Every element, from internal circuits to the elegant casework, has been engineered to deliver musicality, precision, and timeless aesthetics. Mercury represents the pinnacle of Rega’s pre-amplifier development.
All specifications
Physical characteristics
Weight -14 kg
Dimensions (HxWxD) - 435 × 97 × 380 mm
Technical specifications
THD+N - 0.001% @ 1kHz, 2V unbalanced / 4V balanced, 0dB gain (Line) / 0.0045% @ 1kHz, 0dBFS, 2V pre-out (DAC)
Frequency response -12Hz to 28kHz (-0.5dB)
Maximum power consumption - 50W
Power Supply -100V / 115V / 220V / 230V AC ±10%
Inputs/Outputs
Analog inputs -1x Balanced XLR, 4x RCA Unbalanced, 1x Record In
Digital inputs - 1x Coaxial, 1x Optical, 1x USB
Analog outputs - 1x Balanced XLR Pre-Out, 1x RCA Pre-Out, 1x Record Out
Specifications
Accessories
We currently do not have any accessories available for Rega Mercury Pre Amplifier.
