A radio frequency coils array includes a plurality of conductive RF loops (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d, 162a, 162b, 262a, 262b, 362a, 362b, 362c, 462a, 462b, 462c, 562a, 562b) configured to excite or receive magnetic resonance signals, and a plurality of electronics modules (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d, 164a, 164b, 264a, 264b, 364a, 364b, 364c, 464a, 464b, 64c, 564a, 564b) corresponding to the plurality of conductive RF loops. The electronics modules are grouped together in a compact electronics region (66, 166, 266, 366, 466, 66). Each RF coil is operatively connected with a corresponding electronics module. Each electronics module includes at least a pre-amplifier.