PREAMPLIFIER UPGRADE QUESTION

Don't leave out the Wyred4Sound STP-SE. It has the unique properties of both passive and non-passive architecture. Very neutral without sounding dead.

Thank you all for your kind and instructive responses. My choice is between preamplifiers as follows: Conrad Johnson:ET6 SE, Rogue Audio RP-9 and Bryston BP-19. Just purchased the Bryston 4B3 cubed power amplifier. The reason that I am limiting my future purchase to the three listed is because my dealer is a representative of the three above listed. He represents others as well, but they are not within my budget. In any case the dealer's knowledge and service is excellent and would like to continue working with him. The problem with the Conrad Johnson is that it does not have a balance control which I require. My current Rogue Audio RP-1 has one and I find it essential. 

Assuming that you are referring to LEFT and RIGHT balance levels. I had the same issue with my Holo Serene preamp. I wanted it in my office where I sit off centre and really need balance to make it perfect. My Benchmark LA4 (now HPA4) preamp had the analog balance control and thus worked better than the Serene in the office. However, for esthetic reasons I wanted the Serene in the office and the HPA4 in the Livingroom (no balance control needed there).

I solved this issue with the Serene in my office using the following approach:

Audiogon Discussion Forum

The result of this was even better than the analog balance control of the HPA4. The Serene sounds perfect now with the settings described in my link. Nothing is compromised with the approach I used.

There are a lot of suggestions made on this thread for preamps that could not only save you money but also get you better sound. You can learn a lot about the sound of any preamp from reviews and posts in places like this. You need to first figure out what sound you are after.

Your Bryston 4B3 is supposed to be slightly warm sounding. For my tastes adding a warm-ish preamp is too mushy with the 4B3. I go with something more neutral. Maybe your Bryston BP-19 choice would be what I would choose. However, I had a Bryston BP-20 preamp years ago and it is nowhere in the class of the neutral LA4 / HPA4 or Serene preamps.

Gentlemen,

We saw the mentions of our preamps here, and the critique of our website, backertlabs.com.  
We were confused at first, because we thought it was fine… Then we accessed it on a mobile phone.

We can now say in response to those comments, we are in violent agreement!

We just simplified the website.

Hope that’s better.

Keep on listening…. Andy

The only problem with the Conrad Johnson ET-6SE is the fact that there is not balance controls where I can control left and right speaker volume. This is made necessary due to my seating arrangement.

@kjl1065 

Your preamp, located between the source and the power amp plays two important roles in the audio setup - source selection and volume control, and should do without adding tonal colorations so "clarity and linearity" are the key to be a top notch preamp. If you have some knowledge of analog circuits and basic technical skills you can buy a used preamp such as Accuphase Esoteric (balanced inputs and outputs a must) on ebay and replace the volume potentiometer with a new Alpha or Allnic motorized pot (size of a soda can). Probably the preamp is the brain of your audio system. Or you can simply bypass it to connect the DAC directly into the power amp if your DAC has a volume control and digital inputs.

A vote for the RP-9 here. I find it so quiet and smooth. Very pleasing to my ear, especially with my warmish McIntosh solid state amplifiers, now paired with my Rogue ST-100. It has the tubes and features I find useful, balance adjustable via remote, processor loop, also controllable from the remote, and even Home Theater bypass, which I’m not currently using, but a nice to have. Display can also be controlled via remote.
I applaud your decision to work with a dealer, I think they bring more value to your system than any single component. 

I've reviewed this thread three times now and lean quite a bit to that Rogue matching nicely with that cube. Regards, Scott

Great you're using a dealer, but isn't part of that service being able to have a home demo?  You're looking at a pretty good chunk of change, no?

@kjl1065 If you are planning a balanced line preamp, its a good idea to ask if the balanced preamp supports the balanced standard, AES48. The reason this is important is the balanced line system has several goals amoung which are elimination of ground loops and elimination of interconnect cable artifact. For the latter, if you've ever auditioned cables and heard a difference, that is what I'm talking about. Imagine not having to worry about cables again...

These two benefits are lost if the balanced line standard is not supported by the preamp. Most balanced preamps I've seen don't support it; I think the reason is to reduce cost, or else the manufacturer may not be aware that there is a standard.

Thank you for al your responses. I have narrowed down my preamp choices to the Bryston BP-19 and the Rogue RP-9. My dealer sells both and I am looking hear them together. The rest of my system consists of a Bryston 4b-3 cubed power amp, Chord q test dac, Lumen U2-mini streamer and a pair of Martin Logan Impression 9 loudspeakers. My preamp is the Rogue RP-1 (entry level)  Will either of the 2 preamps that I am considering be a substantial improvement over the Rogue RP-1. I am seeking a substantial improvement due to the high cost of the remaining 2 preamps. I am sure that there may be better preamps out there that my dealer does not carry, but I wish to continue working with him because his advice, service and integrity is a tough combination to find.

I second the recommendation for BAT. Amazing sound, built like a tank, and great customer service.