Brio-R: where's the texture? where are the details?
I totally agree/sympathize with MoData's criticism. £480 aren't exactly peanuts. No £480 amp should have the flaw he describes. Specially not one that is getting such unanimous praise.Even my Sony portable can give the feel of a happy music from one that is supposed to be played in a melancholic mood! I prefer to think that MoData has been victim of a bad demonstration namely a mismatch between amp and speakers (although the Brio should be expected to play well with the R5).
Anyway the moral is 'take reviews with a grain of salt". Hi Fi Choice states that the Brio-R can be used in a very expensive system. ToneAudio says it's as good as separates. From what MoData said that is obviously exagerated.
So Modata your post has been very useful!
I've heard the brio-r a few times and always found something was missing in it. It sounded like a very happy camper, all happy and chirpy. Unfortunately, it did so, even when the music was melancholy.
Anyway, at the dealer's today, I asked him to put this on again for: Nait5XS -> Rega Dac -> Brio-R -> Rega RS5s. An all Rega system. Should be the Brio's sweet spot, no?
Well, I had that something is missing feeling again. Told the dealer to play through the Rega Elicit.
Bam! I could now put a finger onto what was missing. The Brio-R just didn't have all the texture and layering that I was used to. I guess it just ignores everything????
Anyone with similar experience/feeling?
Maybe my mistake is comparing it with an amp that's 4 times it's price? I would just have expected it do all that an elicit does, maybe just not as well. But it looks like it's simply glossing over all the details instead. Reminds me of a happy little puppy.
In it's defense, it sounded pretty darned good to me, just missing that certain something. Maybe my mistake was to having gotten used to more expensive stuff???
I guess it's the best you can do in that price category?
You've answered your own question/query: The Rega Brio-R is sub-£500 and the XS is around £1300. Err, with respect, I'm struggling to fathom the logic. Think the price disparity should tell its own story.
Doh! i was wondering why my wifes fiesta st could'nt keep up with my nissan GT-R, prehaps the same logic applies with hi-fi? 
Doh! i was wondering why my wifes fiesta st could'nt keep up with my nissan GT-R, prehaps the same logic applies with hi-fi?
Surely not!........ You're The Stig. 
Don't all amps sound the same?
Have you tried some actives ??? 
his post is'nt so off the mark when you consider what hi fi review mentions Naim comparisons (also watch video review, that says it will bear comparison with 5i and Roksan's integrated). The brio has some 2nd order harmonic distortion that mimics the sound of a tube amp, some people really like that sound and are willing to give up some detail to get it.
Edit - Suggestion: Try and listen to a sub-£1000 integrated such as Roksan Kandy, Creek Evo2, Arcam A18, Rotel RA-1520 and see how the Brio-R stacks up.
Mmm . . . I agree the Brio R is excelent and hyped up . . . I went and compared it against a Croft hybrid integrated, axactly what PP is sugesting, £500 against £850. No contest, I dug deep and bought the Croft with its valve phono stage another £150!
What has transpired is that I have taken a serious line of ugrading the vinyl analoge front end of my hifi system. The experiance has been that the humble Croft has allowed the front end upgrades to shine through, putting my TT in the same league as £2000 to £3000 analogue TT combinations. Would the Brio R have been so transparent had I have gon the Rega route?
It begs the question, just how good is the Croft, it has been reviewed and been compared to amps at double the price . . . a genuine comparison IMHO, I doubt the Rega could justify such a comparison, good though it is. The Croft has the musicality and detail mentioned, it is capable and transparent, in other word its as good as the signal it is fed with. The downside . . . yes, volume, it wont fill a large room, but then what do I care, my music study is 12ft square, in which its more than comfortable 
CJSF
I auditioned the Brio-r last week through a Rega DAC and MA RX6 speakers with Chord Odyssey 2. I too was expecting great things having read the giant killing hype on some forums. Unfortunately I was pretty under whelmed with the rather dull sound. Stepped up the price range with a Cyrus 6 and an Audiolab 8200a. These were both a big increase in all aspects of the sound, the Audiolab being the better all rounder to my ears, not at all bright either. Considering the 8200a can be had for around £650, the extra cost brings significant gains over the Brio-r. Far better control and detail.
I wanted to listen to the Naim 5i, but the dealer didn't strock it. Unfortunately for my wallet, I listened to the Nait XS instantly liked it. At double the price of the Audiolab, you'd expect it to be better and it was. Although the improvement perhaps wasn't as good in terms of value as the 8200a over the Brio-r, it was infectious to my ears. I ended up sourcing a second-hand Nait XS, but I would seriously recommend an audition of the 8200a if you're considering the Brio-r
It all boils dwn to tatse really.. what you find dull some may fine just right.
It all boils dwn to tatse really.. what you find dull some may fine just right.
Exactly! Thats why there is not right or wrong and any product has a potential market anyway...
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Got this from a friend for a few days. I have no idea what the dealers are upto. This sound so much better at home. rubbish to the texture and detail. This is so much fun!!!!
I've (temporarily) replaced a group of expensive Naim boxes and cables with my little Brio-R (which is eventually destined for upstairs), and miss some of the authority and slam but none of the somewhat gritty upper-midrange - the Brio-R is as pure and sweet at the top end as a (fill in fantasy of choice).
I have huge hopes of the 2012 Elicit.
Rega RP6/DV20X2L/Naim CD5XS/Flatcap XS/Naim NAT05XS/Pioneer N50/amp ??/Dynaudio 1.8-II