Long story, but I have to rebuild my stereo system, but for
my Raga Planar 8 turntable and Spendor 1/2 speakers. Having listened to a lot
of amps and now, because of social distancing, having to make a decision based
strictly on what I have hears and can afford, I've decided to go with a Rogue
Audio Stereo 100 power amplifier. My experience of it is that it has a
well-balanced sound that doesn't roll off on the top end, has a solid, nuanced
midrange and, with a sub, responds extremely well on the bass end. Sound stage
good, timbre good and it meets that midpoint between its approaching me and my approaching it, i.e., it's engaging.
My issue is that I need to find a preamp that would go well
with the Rogue technically and, as importantly, sonically. Ideally, I think,
I'd like a non-tube preamp that will not to reduce the Rogue's silent floor
and that passes on to it as non-colored a signal as possible. (I know, it's extremely subjective.) Overall, from the system I need to hear
the material components of pianos, guitars, violins and woodwinds; the voice of
a soprano through an orchestra; and the natural tangs of cymbals, triangles, fifes
and whistles (I love Frank Zappa) without electronic dullness or iciness.
I will take any and all suggestions. As you can tell,
brothers and sisters, I'm not a techy - I simply love music; everything from opera and chamber music to jazz, rock and world music.
