Rega Apollo-R CD Player

Rega Apollo-R CD Player

The Rega Apollo-R is the result of many years of innovation, advanced software development and engineering expertise. Developed by Rega’s team of engineers and designers, the Apollo-R brings together technologies and design experience developed through the company’s flagship Isis CD player and Rega DAC-R, creating a CD player designed around Rega’s own approach to digital audio.

Design History

The original Rega Apollo CD player was launched in 2005 and went on to become a major success, with almost 20,000 units sold worldwide.

A defining feature of the original Apollo was Rega’s own software and control system, developed to ensure that the player offered a distinctive approach to CD playback. This technology was carried forward and further developed for the Apollo-R.

Analogue & Digital Output

Development of the analogue, digital and control sections resulted in improvements to both the analogue and digital outputs.

The Apollo-R was designed as a natural partner for the Rega Brio-R amplifier, while also serving as an ideal CD-format front end for the Rega DAC-R.

The internal circuitry was also improved through a tighter PCB layout.

Compact Case Design

The Apollo-R uses a top-loading design housed within a custom, compact aluminium case.

The casework was designed to match the Rega DAC-R and Brio-R amplifier, creating a visually consistent system when used together.

Dedicated CD Mini System Remote Control

A new dedicated CD remote handset is supplied as standard.

The remote also provides Rega amplifier functionality, allowing the Apollo-R’s remote control to operate compatible Rega amplification functions.

Digital-to-Analogue Conversion

The DAC-R and output amplifier sections of the Apollo-R have been enhanced through the use of the Wolfson WM8742 digital-to-analogue converter.

The WM8742 is the same integrated circuit used in the Rega DAC-R.

Power Supplies

The digital power supplies responsible for feeding the CD processor, optical block, laser diode amplifier and slicer have been enhanced.

This was achieved by incorporating the same high-performance, low-noise power-supply technology used in the corresponding sections of the Isis CD player.

According to Rega, these improvements enhance the playability, error correction and inner-core processing of the digital CD mechanism.

Output Amplifier

The Apollo-R incorporates a discrete output amplifier that has been refined to reduce overall THD.

The typical total harmonic distortion was reduced from 0.005% to 0.0025%, while simultaneously improving the overall sound quality of the output amplifier.

User Interface

The user interface and control system have been improved through the addition of a dedicated display microprocessor.

This reduces the workload placed on the main control processors, contributing to improved control-code stability and usability.

The revised system also improves the initialisation speed of the disc being played, bringing it in line with the Isis CD player.

Technical Specifications

• Wolfson WM8742 DAC
• Enhanced output amplifier circuit
• Enhanced digital power supplies
• Improved user interface
• Redeveloped analogue and digital outputs
• CD remote with amplifier functionality via remote (Unit does not include any amplifier functionality)

The Rega Apollo-R represents a significant development of the original Apollo platform, combining Rega’s proprietary software and control technology with enhancements derived from the company’s higher-end digital products.

With the Wolfson WM8742 DAC, enhanced digital power supplies, a refined discrete output amplifier, improved control architecture and redeveloped analogue and digital output sections, the Apollo-R was designed to deliver a refined and technically advanced approach to CD playback in a compact Rega system.

A compact top-loading CD player incorporating Rega’s proprietary control technology, Wolfson WM8742 DAC, enhanced digital power supplies, a refined discrete output amplifier and redeveloped analogue and digital output stages.

Condition: Good

Colour: Black

Note: Product does not include original packaging. Remote is included.