Rega Ela

Can't help you much I'm afraid. I've heard them fleetingly a number of years ago at West Midland
Audio (now closed) with Naim amps and I recall that they sounded very good. I think they're a transmission line design and quite small floorstanders.

For more info about the Rega Ela you could try an e-mail to John Roberts at Midland Audio Exchange (john.roberts@midlandaudiox-change.co.uk). I don't know if he'll help you, but he worked at WMA at the time and he's a very decent bloke.

For more info about transmission line design check out IPL Acoustics. They supply kits. If you go to the web-site you could get hold of the guy who runs the company. I'm sure he'd be happy to talk to you about this type of design.

Brian

I have a pair,and yes,they are one of the few non-Naim speakers that seem to be well recieved amongst the "Naimies".

They are fast,revealing and certainly not slow or bloated.

I asked the same question some time ago,read Rob's reply....

http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=67019385&f=48019385&m=1681904202

It must be said that I have not seen/heard the latest version.

Also,please consider that if you are into groundshaking reggie style bass,the Ela's are not for you.But other than that,they are Excellent. !

Regards

Chris

Scott

Based on what you have just said,I suspect that you will enjoy the Ela's

They can be found very cheaply second hand,make sure that they have the floor spikes etc and that they have not been abused. I have seen them in the price region of 150 to 250 ukp (Loot.com)

They do sound rather good at the end of Naim electronics (MUST use Naim's speaker cable).

As far as the bass goes,if it's there to start with,they will let you know in a very articulate and tuneful manor,some speakers I have come accross seem to kind of emphasise ANY bass present and can become muddy,wooden,one note etc. Initially impressive,but long term musicality...well you know the rest...

If you do decide to go for them,please let us know how you get on.

Regards

Chris

p.s. What source/amp/s are you currently using ?

I currently have a Nait 3R, Arcam Alpha 7SE, Chord Co. Chrysalis Interconnect and NACA5.

I am undecided as to which brings the greater rewards new speakers or new CD player, I have tried various combinations of changing both, and have decided that the Arcam is by no means a bad CDP, but my speakers are clearly outclassed by the Naim amp. Its strange they were almost the best speakers I heard on my old Arcam 8R/8P combo!

I have therefore decided that the best bet is to change the speakers first and keep my eyes open for a CD3 or 3.5.

Scott

I can therefore comfirm that Ela's and Nait 3's make good partners. ( But as always they will show improvements made higher up in the chain)

Regards

Chris

quote:

---

Originally posted by Scott Mckenzie:
...and have decided that the Arcam is by no means a bad CDP, but my speakers are clearly outclassed by the Naim amp. Its strange they were almost the best speakers I heard on my old Arcam 8R/8P combo!

I have therefore decided that the best bet is to change the speakers first and keep my eyes open for a CD3 or 3.5.

---

I went from NAD 5425 CDP to Alpha 7, both with Nait 1, and Bose 301 speakers (bought new in 1971). Later, I replaced the Bose speakers with Roksan RokONEs. Later still, I changed the Nait, then changed the Arcam for a CD5. This was all in the wrong order, and in retrospect, I was indescribably lucky to find speakers which were so versatile. If I had judged them solely on their performance with the Arcam, I would have (mistakenly) bought something else, not realising their potential.

The Arcam is probably influencing things much more than you think. Ours was superb for the money, but when compared with a CD5 (much more money) is warm, confused and grainy without much real bass. All better speakers will do is make this more obvious. I suspect you would be thrilled at what your existing MSs can do when presented with a better source.

Best;

Mark

(an imperfect
forum environment is
better than none)

Looks like we share the same musical interest. I've ordered a pair of new MkIII Ela and understand your concern about its ability to drive "modern" music. I'll report back to you when I get them in my system.

I've been waiting since August 24!!!

About those other Rega speakers you heard, they might of been the Jura. I've owned them for 3 years, and no, the bloated bass doesn't improve with break in. They were fine with my old all Rega system, but are out of their element after the Nait 3.
IMO Jura is basically a good attempt to make a coherent ported box at a price point, but you can't cheat the laws of physics!

Dave:

"however if you are talking about the newest incarnation of the speaker I haven't heard anything good yet"

Do you mean you've heard only bad things, or nothing at all?

Best,

Mike S

Then i started listen alternatives and after a lot of testing I ended with NAIM CD3 + 72 + 140 + REGA ELA .. and it was just fine ...

Then i replaced the REGA ELA´s... after listened a lot of speakers... and i mean a lot.. i end with REGA XEL... larger model much like REGA ELA´s... and it sounds great... lovely music for hours without fatigue...

For me the bigger point in REGA ELA/XEL is articulation of the bass and the separation of instruments... great with jazz for instance...

So i found that REGA speakers match very well NAIM amplification... the cable depends of wich NAIM amplification. NAIM cable is great with 72-140, Kimber for instance is better with 90-92.

It's always a nice day for it, have a good one
Steve

Just checked the link. You're right, they're completely different to the Ela I remember. Does anybody know when the 'real' Rega Ela disappeared?

Brian

It's always a nice day for it, have a good one
Steve

It's always a nice day for it, have a good one
Steve

[This message was edited by Steven Toy on MONDAY 08 October 2001 at 03:34.]

I haven't heard them, but if they sound anything like Kytes with greater bandwidth, then I know that I would like them. If they do indeed go as cheaply as Chris has reported, then I might be interested in a pair for my spare room setup (Planar 2/Cyrus One or Rotel RA820BX2 or Nait 2 if main system gets upgraded in the middle).

I suppose that like the IBL, not many have made it across the Atlantic.

Does anyone have any experience of ELA as well as IBL? Comments?

Craig

Also, the supplied jumpers are thankfully not gold plated.

As for sound, I'm not sure yet, as my system is in pieces and I'm still awaiting the bag of nails I mean CDX to arrive.
I've got the things hooked up to an A/V reciever at the moment to at least break them in.
They're bright and forward, with very even bass-the kind you don't hear, until a real bass note comes along. Smaller scale sound then I'm used to but that was my intention...

[This message was edited by Mike Sae on THURSDAY 11 October 2001 at 21:43.]

IMHO they bear little visual similarity to the Ela I....

and appear to be the love-child of the EL-8 and ELA I.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio