Rogue 99 vs. BAT 3i

I own a Rogue M99 and feel the above comments are over harsh. Yes, the remote makes a sound through the speaker when you operate it, but it has never been a big issue for me. The $6000 Pass X-1 makes clicking sounds when the remote is operated. I find this to be a non-issue. On a motorized volume control, as opposed to a digital one, small volume changes are more difficult. However, I simply have a quick finger on the volume button, and am able to do fine with volume changes.

The circuit board does flex a little when changing tubes, but I have done many tube changes without a problem. Perhaps a thicker board would be ideal, but if you look at the overall construction of this piece, it is built like a brick Sxxx-house.

I do not consider this a 'dry' preamp. ARC is dry. Cary is overwarm and colored. Depends on your perspective. If comparing the Rogue to a transistor preamp, it sounds pretty warm to me, and is overall a great sounding product that lets you enjoy the music (with good tubes!).

Yes the comments are somewhat harsh. And I also understand that there are a lot of satisfied owners of the 99 out there.
It is a great country we live in, isn't it?
We all can form our own opinions, and speak our mind.
It is even more fantastic that we are fortunate enough to be able to own products like this.
God bless america!!
I just didn't like the 99. I used it for almost a year.
It is all personal preference. I also enjoy amps and preamps that have the tubes exposed. I don't like having to remove covers to get at the tubes for rolling.
I think Rogue makes a pretty good product. I own a pair of Magnum 120's that I am fairly happy with. Although I can't really afford to look for a better pair, or I would consider it.
If the person that posted is in a situation such as myself. Where you have not a hi-end store within several hundred miles. The only thing you can do is try to buy at a reasonable price and try it. If you don't like it, move on and sell it.

Kevziek, my comments on the Rogue Magnum 99 were not meant to upset you or anyone else. Lvk47 asked for oppinions concerning this preamp and I responded, as did Scottht.

Yes the 99 is well built solid piece of equipment; but solid doesnt translate into sound. The motorized volume control is erratic and noisy on the Rogue, while the motorized volume control on the Cary is right on and silent. I found the 99 to be very microphonic, touch any button or turn either of the selector switches and your speakers will pick this up.

Dry yes, I thought the Rogue was rather dry....sounding closer to solid state. Speding over $2000 on a preamp you shouldnt find as many of these inherent problems all in the same unit.

Microphonics was definatly an issue with mine also. But then again I have heard people say that they didn't experience this problem with theirs. I will also say that the Rogue team is pretty good to deal with.
I tried many, many different tubes trying to eliminate the microphonics, but I never did get rid of it.

If you have microphonic problems with all the tubes you've used, then you've gotten microphonic tubes pawned off on you by some of the greedy and dishonest tube dealers of whom there are enough. I have the inexpensive Russian NOS which Rogue used to provide - no microphonics. I have RCA's & Sylvania which have none or very low microphonics. I can touch any of the buttons or the case on my unit and not hear microphonic reactions.

Regarding the volume control, I owned two Rogue 99's, and neither had the problem you describe to such a magnitude. When I make small to moderate volume changes at higher volumes, I hardly hear the motor noise at all. It is only at low volume levels that there is a slight motor noise heard through the speakers, but, again, I don't find it unacceptable, and I'm pretty fussy.

It is recommended that the preamp and power amp be plugged into the same outlet. I had some ground loop hum with tube amps connected, but with solid state, it doesn't matter where I used two different outlets or not.

No, the noise floor is not as low as some units, but I believe this has to do with the simplicity of the circuit, and this simplicity of "Keep-it-simple-stupid" may allow the preamp to sound more musical and less processed and damped down sounding. That's what my ears tell me.