Rega Saturn R CD Player

"Game Changer" – A Truly High-Specification CD Player with Independent DAC

Rega's Saturn-R CD player/DAC offers complete flexibility and integration into any system. Essentially two products in one, the Saturn-R houses a high specification transport plus an independent DAC circuit. Both sections are fully remote controllable via the supplied Solaris remote control.

You will find plenty of connectivity options, all at the highest possible resolution up to and including 24-Bit/192 kHz. The Saturn-R has two optical inputs, two coaxial inputs, a fully asynchronous USB, and an additional ‘direct’ digital output from the CD playback section. These options ensure that the Saturn-R integrates perfectly into any system and provides the perfect partner for the Rega Elicit-R integrated amplifier.

"Convincing and Entertaining"

"The phrase is game changer. This not a CD player as we know it, with the possible exception of the £6,000 Rega Isis, nothing I have heard in digital audio delivers resolution and musicality in such convincing and entertaining fashion as the Saturn-R," notes Jason Kennedy in his review for the-ear.net.

"True to Rega’s tradition, the Saturn-R is one of, if not the most, analogue-sounding CD players I’ve ever heard. It’s tonally on the warm side, with plenty of detail. Vocals and acoustic guitars shine, though that’s not to say the Saturn can’t rock out when required. Backgrounds are silent, there’s a distinct clarity to the top and the bass is exquisitely controlled," reports Ashley Cox, audioappraisal.com.

"I can think of no reason why every music lover in the land does not need to own this CD player. With the comprehensively equipped DAC it can also do wonders for your downloads and hi-res files," says Hi-fi Choice magazine.

"With sales on the decline there may not be that many more great CD players produced, I recommend you get one of these while you can. You really don’t know just how good the format is without it."

CD Player Feature Upgrades

The Saturn-R uses Rega's proven digital-to-analog converter and analog output amplifier technology coupled with a pair of Wolfson WM8742 digital-to-analog converter IC’s. The Saturn-R provides improvements to the CD section power supply compared to Rega's original-model Saturn CD player. This was a result of the research and development of Rega's reference Isis CD player along with the improved microcontroller and display drivers.

High-Performance Technology

Rega's Saturn-R uses a high stability master clock and high capacity power supply in the CD circuitry, high performance PLL digital interface receiver, isolated digital inputs and high performance power supply architecture in the DAC circuitry. Signal switching between the CD and DAC functions are performed in the digital-to-analog converter stage. The signal path of the CD section in CD mode is kept to a minimum.

USB 192 kHz/24-Bit Asynchronous Operation

The DAC USB input has been improved over the original-model Saturn CD player with asynchronous operation at sample rates of 44.1 to 192kHz with a bit rate of up to 24-bits. The USB input has the same galvanic isolation as used in the Rega DAC-R. The USB utilizes dedicated drivers in the computer, enabling full ASIO operation, thus eliminating signal degradation caused by generic Windows-based drivers.

Note that before you can use the USB function of the Saturn–R, you must first download the Rega USB Windows driver from the Product Downloads section of Rega's website and install the driver on your PC. Once installed, USB will be ready to use. This driver is not required for Mac OS.

Solaris Remote Control

The Solaris remote control allows complete control over the Saturn-R CD/DAC player and all other ‘R’ range Rega products. The top section of the remote is dedicated to DAC functions. The button marked CD/DAC allows you to switch between the two modes available. Once in DAC mode, you can also select any of the filter options via the FILTER button and also select which input is used.

As well as controlling all usual CD control functions, you can also control the use of mp3 or WMA CD’s using the album up / down function. You can skip through multiple tracks using the -10, +10 & >100 buttons depending on how many tracks are on your disc. If an mp3 or WMA disc is loaded it will display mp3 or WMA. CD text function operates for mp3 discs only. N.B A maximum of 999 tracks and 99 albums when playing mp3 or WMA CDs.

• New Wolfson WM8742 DAC
• Enhanced output amplifier circuit
• Enhanced digital power supplies
• Improved user interface
• Redeveloped analog and digital outputs
• Solaris remote with CD, DAC and amplifier functionality
• USB 24-Bit/192 kHz asynchronous
• High stability master clock and high capacity power supply in the CD circuitry
• High performance PLL digital interface receiver, isolated digital inputs, and high performance power supply architecture in the DAC circuitry

CD Player

• Laser Semiconductor laser / Wavelength 790nm
• Digital Sampling Frequency 44.1kHz
• Frequency Response (100KΩ load) = 17Hz -0.02dB to 20.5KHz -0.02dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion = 0.005% @ 1KHz (CDA), 0.012% (MP3 320kb/s)
• Signal To Noise Ratio -109dB (A Weighted Relative to the maximum output level)
• Digital outputs SPDIF Optical Toslink & SPDIF Isolated 0.5V 75Ω Co-axial

• Frequency Response (100KΩ load)
• Low data rate 44.1/48KHz Filter 2 = 10Hz -0.05dB to 20KHz -0.1dB
• Medium data rate 88.2/96KHz Filter 2 = 10Hz -0.05dB to 30KHz -1dB
• High data rate 176.4/192KHz Filter 2 = 10Hz -0.05dB to 41KHz -1dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion = 0.006% @ 1KHz (USB input @ 24bit 88.2KHz using ASIO driver) (Note: to achieve best THD levels use ASIO drivers)
• Signal To Noise Ratio -109dB (24bit 96KHz A Weighted Relative to the maximum output level)
• Supported data rates = 32K (Optical/Toslink only), 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192KHz. Bit resolution 16 to 24-bit

• Power Consumption: 15.5Watts at 115V (minimum 95V maximum 126.5V) @ 50/60Hz
• Dimensions: 17" wide x 3.2" high 12.8" x deep
• Dimensions needed to operate: 17" wide x 7" high x 13.8" deep
• Weight: 21.2 lbs.

"The phrase is game changer. This not a CD player as we know it, with the possible exception of the £6,000 Rega Isis nothing I have heard in digital audio delivers resolution and musicality in such convincing and entertaining fashion as the Saturn-R."

- Jason Kennedy, the-ear.net

"True to Rega’s tradition, the Saturn-R is one of, if not the most, analogue-sounding CD players I’ve ever heard. It’s tonally on the warm side, with plenty of detail. Vocals and acoustic guitars shine, though that’s not to say the Saturn can’t rock out when required. Backgrounds are silent, there’s a distinct clarity to the top and and the bass is exquisitely controlled."

"One thing the Saturn possesses that few other CD players can equal is a level of rhythmic drive that makes it extremely fun and entertaining to listen to. It’s virtually impossible not to raise the volume to astronomical levels as the Saturn plays. It’s an infectious sound that’ll have you listening to album after album, and pulling out albums from your collection that you never thought you’d play again just to see what they’ve been hiding. Simply put, it’s great fun."

- Ashley Cox, audioappraisal.com

"I can think of no reason why every music lover in the land does not need to own this CD player. With the comprehensively equipped DAC it can also do wonders for your downloads and hi-res files."

"With sales on the decline there may not be that many more great CD players produced, I recommend you get one of these while you can. You really don’t know just how good the format is without it."

- Jason Kennedy, Hi-fi Choice magazine