2. amps-preamps
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Impressed with Tubes

For the first time, I auditioned a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 100s run through a Rogue Perseus tube preamp & a Rotel RB1080 S/S power amp. Prior to that, I have never auditioned a tube preamp. Wow! What a difference! A richer, more integrated sound with the Rogue Perseus compared to S/S alternatives. Now that I am hooked on tubes, a few quick questions:

(1) Would there be a significant difference if I went with a tube power amp as well?

(2) Compared to the Rogue Perseus, has anyone had any experience with the Rogue Metis preamp?

(3) Other recommendations for tube preamps?

I am having a ball doing research for a new 2-channel system. And listening to a tubed component for the first time was a real treat!

Thank you for any help!

Kit
kitjv

Showing 2 responses by newbee

newbee
4,794 posts
 
(1) A vast difference in a gain of a sense of dimmension and fluidity. I wouldn't be without one - I think I could skip a tube pre-amp, or any pre-amp at all before I'd lose a tube amp. (In fact in one system I have now done just that!)

I'll pass on 2) and 3) as I have no knowledge the Rogues and there are just too many possibilities for 3) and the right one depends on many things personal to your specific needs, including budget, flexibility, and features.
newbee
4,794 posts
 
Pubul57 - I would have no problem agreeeing with your comments about PP/SET amps interaction with speakers with a flat(ish) impedence curve, and there is no reason that a quality amp can't handle moderate speaker impedence dips, BUT one of the problems is that amps have varible output impedence to deal with that can be as problematic as speaker impedence (one of mine has a rise to 3.5ohms in the mid bass) so its important, at least on paper, to match the amps varying output impedence with the speakers varying impedence. Not a walk in the park if your looking for anything approaching ideal matching of amps and speakers without listening. FWIW.
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