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Rega's Newest High Performance CD Player and DAC
Rega's new Saturn MK3 is the latest version of the company's highly acclaimed Rega CD player. The MK3 is re-housed in the very latest case designed to match the rest of the Rega range. It offers complete flexibility and integration into any audio system. Essentially two products in one, the Saturn MK3 houses an independent DAC that you can use with other gear along with a high specification CD transport. Both sections are fully controllable via the supplied Solaris wireless remote.
You will find plenty of connectivity options, up to and including 24-bit,192 kHz. The Saturn MK3 has two optical inputs, two coaxial inputs, a fully asynchronous USB connection, and an added direct digital output from the CD playback section, should you wish to use your own existing DAC or a high-end DAC built into another component. This ensures the Saturn MK3 integrates perfectly into any system and provides the perfect partner for the forthcoming Rega Elicit MK5 integrated amplifier.
CD Playback Technology
For CD playback, the Saturn MK3 takes advantage of Rega's proven digital-to-analog converter and analog output amplifier technology, coupled with a pair of Wolfson WM8742 digital-to-analog converter ICs. The MK3 also utilizes Rega's own proprietary CD section power supply, which was a result of the research and development of Rega's reference CD player, along with the improved microcontroller and display drivers.
High Performance Digital Technology
The Saturn MK3 uses a high-stability master clock and high-capacity power supply in the CD circuitry, along with a 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 DAC stage. The signal path of the CD section in CD mode is kept to a minimum.
The USB input of the Saturn's DAC section has been improved to offer asynchronous operation at sample rates of 44.1 to 192 kHz 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 uses dedicated drivers in the computer, enabling full ASIO operation, thus eliminating signal degradation caused by generic Windows-based drivers.
Connectivity options include a pair of optical inputs, two Co-Axial inputs, and an added 'direct' digital output from the CD playback section.
DAC Filter Settings
The Saturn MK3 includes ten digital filter settings which enable you to tailor the sound quality to your liking. These settings are a matter of personal taste and offer subtle changes. Rega suggests using filter setting 1 and trying different settings with various sources and sample rates. Each filter is selectable via the FILTER button on the Solaris remote handset.
Five filters are intended for low sample rates (32k, 44.1k, and 48k). Five filters are for medium and high sample rates (88.2k, 96k, 176.4k, and 192k. Experiment and have fun. Filters will have a more prominent effect the higher the sample rate.
