The art of silence
Rega Mercury is an ultra-low-noise Reference preamplifier with discrete symmetrical circuitry, integrated DAC, digital inputs, headphone output and colour IPS display.
Mercury was developed as an uncompromising preamplifier, with particular attention to reducing the noise floor and preserving the smallest signal details. The main analogue path uses discrete symmetrical circuitry, while the digital section integrates a high-performance DAC fed by USB and S/PDIF inputs. A discrete headphone amplifier, an RK27 Blue Velvet volume control by Alps, colour IPS display and backlit Orbit remote control complete the specification.
Key features
- Discrete symmetrical circuitry in the main signal path
- Integrated high-performance DAC
- Coaxial and optical S/PDIF digital inputs
- Galvanically isolated asynchronous USB input
- Balanced and unbalanced analogue inputs and outputs
- Discrete headphone amplifier
- Colour IPS display
- Backlit Orbit remote control
- Standby mode
Symmetrical preamplification
The analogue circuit uses discrete differential stages with high linearity and wide bandwidth. Critical stages employ ultra-low-noise FET transistors and complementary Class A output sections, while volume control is handled by the Alps Blue Velvet RK27 potentiometer. The main outputs use DC coupling and are protected by dedicated circuits, with the aim of avoiding coupling capacitors in the output path.
DAC and digital inputs
The asynchronous USB input has its own power supply and galvanic isolation, with reclocking of PCM and DSD data and clocks. The S/PDIF section uses a Wolfson digital receiver and PLL circuit for clock recovery, while conversion is handled by two Wolfson DACs connected in parallel. The analogue signal leaving the DAC is then managed by filters and symmetrical amplification stages consistent with the analogue-section architecture.
Headphone output and system control
The headphone amplifier adopts the symmetrical common-base topology used in the main stages and is designed to drive headphones of low as well as high impedance. The IPS display clearly shows status and selected source, while the Orbit remote control provides operation from a distance. RCA and XLR analogue connections and automatic standby allow Mercury to integrate into complex systems without sacrificing ease of use.
Supplied accessories
The Orbit remote control and Rega Reference mains lead are included.
