Brio 3 Manual (full).

qxd 08/06/2006 16:27 Page 1

Contents
Introduction..................................................................1
Installation........................................................................2
Input Connections...........................................................3-5
In Use.................................................................................5
Specifications.................................................................6
Troubleshooting.......................................................7-11
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Introduction
Your REGA amplifier has been designed to reproduce music
effectively and easily.
The Brio3 has been built to Rega's discriminating standards of
reliability and quality to ensure many years of musical enjoyment.

An amplifier's function is to boost the tiny signal generated by a

cartridge or other source so that it can drive loudspeakers. It is vital
that the amplifier achieves this without changing the signal and so
distorting the music.
We have avoided superfluous gadgets such as tone controls or a
head phone socket as they obstruct the signal path and degrade the
produced sound quality. In common with all REGA products, the
Brio3 has been built using unusually high quality components and
no frills, so that you can simply switch on, sit back, and let your
amplifier speak for itself.......

Mission Statement

Rega’s philosophy is to make high quality products at sensible prices, as a means

of reproducing music as faithfully as possible. Rega is committed to the design
and development of new and existing products, both in hi-fi and other areas, that
will perpetuate Rega’s values of quality and value for money.

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Installation

The Brio3 will work well on most surfaces, such as a shelf or table,
provided there is sufficient air around the amplifier to prevent
overheating. To avoid magnetic interference, site the amplifier as far
away from the turntable as the tone arm lead will allow. If possible,
place it to the left of the turntable. Keep other equipment, such as
tuners, cassette decks or CD players away from the amplifier. Never
stack other hi-fi equipment on top of the amplifier.

Ventilation

The heat produced by the Brio3 is dispersed to the air by the case,
particular from the base. Ensure that the case has an unobstructed
air passage around it. Never place the amplifier on carpet, rugs,
bedding, or other hi-fi equipment.

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Input Connections
All the inputs and the tape outputs are made via RCA (Phono) type
connectors. The sockets on Rega amplifiers are clearly marked left
and right.

Right: always the lower row and marked in RED

Left: always the upper row and marked in WHITE

IMPORTANT: ALWAYS TURN OFF THE AMPLIFIER WHEN CHANGING LEADS

ESPECIALLY SPEAKER CABLES.

Grounding Screw
TAPE
PHONO CD TUNER LINE1 IN OUT
Left
SPEAKERS
Right
IEC

Rega Research Limited, England

Rear Panel Connections

Earthing: Earthing is done via the Phono socket ground for Rega
turntables so a separate earth is not necessary. In the unlikely event
that your tonearm needs to be earthed to the amplifier, the grounding
tag may be connected to the case grounding screw above the input
sockets.

Phono Input

The Phono input can be used with moving magnet (MM) or HIGH
OUTPUT moving coil (MC) cartridges.

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Compact Disc Input

The CD input is suitable for use with most types of CD players.

Tuner Input

The tuner input is suitable for use with most tuners.

Line Input

The Line input enables the connection of another source, such as a

second tape machine, tuner, video recorder, etc...

Tape Input/Output

Almost any tape machine can be used with the Brio3, including
compact cassette, video cassette, reel to reel, DAT and DCC.

Tape Output

This output monitors any one of the inputs selected by the input
selector.
NOTE: This function is disabled when tape input is selected.

Loudspeakers

The Brio is capable of driving all normal Hi-Fi loudspeakers with a

stated impedance of 8 ohms and above. (Most Loudspeakers are
nominally 8 ohms).

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Loudspeaker Cable

We recommend using good quality cable such as our own, or similar

types made by QED or Naim. Very expensive cable claiming to use
special materials and technologies along with "solid core" or OFC
types are not recommended. Try to keep cable runs to either speaker
of similar length. Your Rega dealer will be able to make up specific
lengths of cable for you with plugs (where required) already fitted.
Never join cables together to increase their length.

Damage by shorting: Never short (i.e. touch together), the bare

ends of the speaker cable on any amplifier. However, the protection
circuit will prevent damage in the case of accidental shorting.

In Use

Switching On

The Brio is turned on by depressing the power switch on the left of

the control panel. An LED in the power switch will glow red. At turn on
an audible thump may be heard through the speakers, this is normal.
WARNING: Never switch the amplifier on with the volume control set
at or near maximum. After switching off, the LED will glow for several
seconds before fading while the remaining charge in the smoothing
capacitors is dumped.

Input Selection

The Brio3's five inputs - Tape, Line1, Tuner, CD and Phono are
selected by turning the selector knob to the required input.

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Brio3 Specifications

Input sensitivity for rated output level.

Phono input sensitivity = 3mV @ 47KΩ in parallel with 100pF.
Maximum input level = 150mV @ 1Khz.
CD, Tuner, Line 1, Tape input sensitivity = 206mV @ 24KΩ.

Power output 230V or 115V supply voltage.

49 Watts both channels driven into 8Ω.
58 Watts only one channel driven into 8Ω.
64 Watts both channels driven into 4Ω.
84 Watts only one channel driven into 4Ω.

Tape output level.

Tape output level (with rated input levels) =198mV @ 470Ω.

Power consumption.
148 Watts @ 230V or 115V (49 Watts both channels driven into 8Ω).

Standby power consumption.

11.5 Watts

Features.
Fold-back short circuit protection.
Reactive load protection.
150 Watt output transistors.

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Troubleshooting
(No power, power switch LED does not light up)

Is the mains
supply connected NO
Correct the fault
and the socket
switched on?

YES
Is the front panel Contact your
NO
power switch fully Rega Dealer if it
depressed? appears faulty

YES

Has the fuse in the mains

YES
plug blown? (plug in another Replace fuse in plug
appliance to check)

NO
Is the mains socket live? Check household
NO
(plug in another appliance to fuses or contact an
check) electrician

YES

Contact your Rega Dealer

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Troubleshooting
(Power on, power switch LED lit but no output)

Is the amplifier
connected to the
NO
desired input and the
correct input selected?

YES
Are the speakers NO
connected correctly to
the amplifier?
Correct the
fault
YES

Is the volume YES

set to the
minimum?

NO
Is the CD selected YES
but no disc in the
machine?

NO

Contact your Rega Dealer

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Troubleshooting
(Power on, sound from one speaker only)

Are the connections between Correct the fault by plugging

the speakers and the amplifier NO them in. If the wires are loose or
secure and functioning not correctly soldered, contact your
correctly? Rega dealer

YES
Check the source
component for faults. Swap
Are both channels of NO the output leads and check to
the speaker connected
see if the fault swaps over
and working properly?

NO YES
YES

There may be a fault in the The

Are the cartridge source is at
amplifier/speaker chain. Swap
connections at the head fault
speaker cables. Does the fault
shell functioning? Check
swap channels?
cartridge tags

NO YES

The speaker is
YES The amplifier or speaker
at fault
cables are at fault

Contact your Rega Dealer

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Troubleshooting
(Loud hum through both speakers when ‘Phono’ is selected)

Is the amplifier YES

situated directly below
the cartridge?

Correct the
fault
NO

Are there other pieces of YES

HI-FI equipment close to
turntable or amplifier?

NO

Contact your Rega Dealer

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Troubleshooting
(Loud hum through one speaker
when ‘Phono’ input is selected)

Is there a faulty earth connection

on the leads from the source To check if the fault is within
YES the lead, substitute (if possible)
component? (check by swapping the
leads and seeing if the hum moves with a good known lead or
between channels) contact your Rega dealer

NO

Contact your Rega Dealer

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Owners Log

(1)
Owner.......................................................................................
Date..........................................................................................
Where Purchased.....................................................................
.................................................................................................

(2)
Owner.......................................................................................
Date..........................................................................................
Where Purchased.....................................................................
.................................................................................................

(3)
Owner.......................................................................................
Date..........................................................................................
Where Purchased.....................................................................
..................................................................................................

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