Rega

Rega Mercury Reference Pre-Amplifier

  • front panel of rega mercury preamp
  • back panel of rega mercury preamp

MERCURY

$13,999.00
$13,999.00

In-Store Only

Contact Us

Please call us at 1-905-270-3440 or simply fill out the form below for ordering & more info.

Product Overview

The Rega Mercury Reference Pre-Amplifier is a high-end, no-compromise control centre designed to bring out the full potential of your stereo system. Hand-crafted in England with meticulous attention to detail, it uses fully discrete symmetrical circuitry throughout its signal path to achieve an exceptionally low noise floor and outstanding dynamic range — preserving subtle musical detail without masking it behind distortion or hiss.

At its core is a high-performance DAC with USB, coaxial, and optical inputs, capable of handling high-resolution PCM and DSD64 files, along with balanced and unbalanced line connections for maximum flexibility. The integrated discrete headphone amplifier delivers strong, clean drive to both low and high impedance headphones, making the Mercury as comfortable on a desktop system as it is in a dedicated two-channel setup.

Finished in a precision-machined aluminium chassis with a full-colour IPS display and custom Orbit remote control, the Mercury Reference Pre-Amplifier is engineered for listeners who demand purity, precision, and effortless integration with both analogue and digital sources.

Click here for a short review of Rega Mercury Preamp.

Specifications

Dimensions / Weight

Dimensions (W x H x D): 435 × 97 × 380 mm (17 × 3.8 × 15 in)

Net Weight: 14 kg (31 lbs)

Inputs

  • Balanced Line In (Input 1): 25V max (0dB gain) / 15kΩ
  • Unbalanced Line In (Inputs 2–5 & Record In): 12.5V max (0dB gain) / minimum 20kΩ (max gain)
  • USB: 16–32 bit @ 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz PCM or DSD64 (DoP), Asynchronous, Power consumption 0W (<0.5mA)
  • S/PDIF: Co-ax and Optical, 16–24 bit @ 32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz

Outputs

  • Balanced Pre Out: Max gain 11.5dB (Balanced In) or 17.5dB (Unbalanced In) / 47Ω
  • Unbalanced Pre Out: Max gain 11.5dB / 47Ω
  • Record Out: Gain 0dB / 100Ω

Pre-Amplifier

  • THD+N: Typically 0.001% @ 1kHz, 2V Unbalanced or 4V Balanced, 0dB gain
  • Sensitivity: 220mV Unbalanced / 440mV Balanced input produces 820mV Unbalanced / 1.6V Balanced output at max gain
  • Frequency Response (Max Gain): 12Hz (-0.5dB) to 28kHz (-0.5dB)
  • Frequency Response (0dB Gain Balanced): 8Hz (-0.5dB) to 28kHz (-0.5dB)

Headphone Amplifier

  • Max Level (33Ω): 9V / 2.5W @ 0.1% THD+N (230V/120V)
  • Max Level (240Ω): 10.85V / 0.5W @ 0.1% THD+N (230V/120V)
  • THD+N: Typically 0.0035% @ 1kHz, 2V into 240Ω or 33Ω

DAC

  • THD+N: Typically 0.0045% @ 1kHz, 0dBFS, 2V Pre Out

Power

  • Power Supply: AC 230V / 220V / 115V / 100V nominal ±10%
  • Power Consumption: 50W
  • Power Consumption (Standby): 0.4W
  • Fuse Ratings: T500mAL – 230V 50Hz / 220V 60Hz, T1AL – 120V 60Hz / 100V 50/60Hz

Dimensions / Weight

  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 435 × 97 × 380 mm (17 × 3.8 × 15 in)
  • Net Weight: 14 kg (31 lbs)

Contents

  • Mercury Pre-Amplifier: 1
  • Orbit Remote Control: 1
  • Trigger Cable: 2
  • Screwdriver (for Orbit remote batteries): 1
  • Reference Mains Lead: 1
  • Couple 3 Interconnect: 1
  • Remote Batteries: AAA (1.5V) × 2
control panel of rega mercury preamp

Features

  • Fully discrete symmetrical circuitry in the core signal path
  • High performance DAC with S/PDIF and USB inputs
  • Galvanically isolated asynchronous USB input
  • Discrete headphone amplifier
  • Full colour IPS display
  • Custom backlit Orbit remote control
  • Standby mode
  • rega mercury amp with remote

    Headphone Amplifier

    A great deal of care has been taken around the integration of the headphone circuit. The headphone amplifier operates like a mini-Solis power amplifier as it uses the same symmetrical common base driver stage circuitry. This has a high voltage and current drive capability enabling the headphone output to drive both low and high impedance headphones with ease.

  • Visible Circuitry of rega mercury preamp

    Power Supply

    The Mercury features a high-quality toroidal transformer and a discrete, symmetrical linear power supply with fast diodes and low-noise voltage references. Each stage is individually regulated for stability, and the elevated supply voltage, 60% higher than typical preamplifiers, delivers exceptional headroom and performance.

  • close up of back panel of rega mercury preamp

    Signal Path

    The pre-amplifier uses the Alps Blue Velvet RK27 volume control. The balanced inputs and outputs both use the symmetrical, common base, discrete driver circuitry. High-quality relays and Polypropylene/audio-grade capacitors are used throughout the signal path.
close up of rega mercury preamp

Amplifier Circuit

The Rega Mercury preamplifier features a fully symmetrical, discrete circuit design that delivers high linearity, wide bandwidth, and extremely low distortion. Each stage uses high-current, Class A output amplifiers to ensure precise voltage and current control throughout the signal path.

Critical stages utilize ultra-low noise Linear Systems FET transistors, based on the same topology used in Rega’s Aura MC amplifier. The Mercury also incorporates the Alps Blue Velvet volume control, DC-coupled outputs with protection circuitry, and design elements drawn from Rega’s reference range and Saturn CD player, ensuring a pure, fully symmetrical signal path from input to output.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rega Mercury?

The Rega Mercury is a reference-grade pre-amplifier designed to deliver exceptional transparency, ultra-low noise, and dynamic performance for high-end audio systems.

Does the Mercury include a built-in DAC?

Yes, it features a high-performance DAC with asynchronous USB and S/PDIF inputs, supporting high-resolution PCM and DSD playback.

What digital inputs does the Mercury support?

The Mercury supports USB (asynchronous), coaxial, and optical S/PDIF digital inputs for flexible source connectivity.

What analogue inputs are available?

The Mercury offers multiple analogue line inputs, including balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) connections.

Does it have a built-in headphone amplifier?

Yes, it includes a fully discrete headphone amplifier capable of driving both low- and high-impedance headphones with clarity and control.

How is the analogue circuitry designed?

The core signal path uses fully discrete, symmetrical circuitry with high linearity to minimize distortion and preserve musical detail.

What kind of power supply does it use?

It features a generously rated toroidal transformer with a linear tracking power supply, providing high headroom and stable performance.

Does the Mercury offer standby and protection features?

Yes, it includes microcontroller-based slow-start, standby power management, and extensive protection circuitry for both main and headphone outputs.

Collapsible rowWhat display and control features are included?

The front panel uses a full-colour IPS display with DC-adjustable backlight and comes with Rega’s custom Orbit remote control.

Is the Mercury suitable for studio or professional use?

Yes, balanced XLR connections are provided for studio or long-cable applications, while unbalanced connections are recommended for home Hi-Fi use.