Preamps: Rogue v. VTL v. Blue Circle

<<< OK, I am a bit of all over the map in terms of price, but I am looking for best value, not necessarily within a specific budget. WOuld like to be under $2K though. Buying used.
My candidates are:
Rogue 66 and 99 Magnums
VTL 2.5 and 5.5 (someone told me the VTLs have reliability issues. True?)
Blue Circle 21.1

No phono required. Where would you cast your votes in terms of value? I like a transparent enough, but not too revealing preamp, slight tubey character but not too much, and large soundstage depth and width. Good extension on both ends also a factor.
Help? >>>

Your not going to find a VTL 5.5 for $2000 unless you find someone going bankrupt. And yes, I have had issues with VTL customer service.

May I suggest you also consider a BAT VK5i. True this pre is a bit outdated, but it will blow away the pre's that you have mentioned IMHO. And you can buy a VK5i on Audiogon for under $2000. Keep in mind this is a $4500 pre, new. I think you will find it has everything your looking for. I'm sure their are others that I have not listened to, that would also fit the bill.

Of those you have listed, I would put my money on Blue Circle. But You should try to demo a few of them in your home before deciding. When I first started in this crazy hobby, I listened to all the opinions of the stereo magazines, then I went out and listened to some systems. I found out that the stereo magazines writer's opinions differed from mine.

just my 2 cents worth :)

good luck!

Kck:

You can find a VK5i for about $1700 if your patient. It does add a little colour to the sound, but so does every tube pre out there. But yes the BAT is has the slightest bit more. I was merely going by what you originaly stated in your initial post. I thought the VK5i would work well for you.

As far as the adapters for BAT gear, you will lose a little from your source. But if you don't have a pre ( now )in the same catogrey as the VK5i, you won't know what your missing.

I personally ran nothing but single end gear with the both the VK5i, and the VK3i with excellent results. Also you can buy the necessary adapters that Audio Research manufactures for $25 less per pair. You will still be under your $2000 price point. I see them all the time here at Audiogon for sale used.

You can also follow this thread that just started about XLR-RCA adapters.

VK3i vs Rouge 99? I'm sure the Rouge lovers will argue with me. But I think the VK3i will dance cricles around the 99.

sorry, forgot the thread link:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1068758113&read&3&4&