Tube preamp options


My system from the preamp on consists of a rouge rp-7, rogue m180 monoblocks, and vandersteen quatro wood speakers. My main source is a brinkmann Bardo through a Rogers PA-2 phono pre. It all sounds great. But there's that itch, you know? I get tremendous soundstage but not that much depth. Clarity is great, mids are nice, bass is excellent. But it doesn't quite have that in the room sound that I'm looking for. The RP7 sounded too solid state and analytical for me out of the box with the stock JJ tubes so I've done extensive rolling. Been through all sorts of NOS tubes and landed on amperex as they seem to have the best balance of warmth and clarity. My thought is, maybe I can find a pre that has those attributes out of the gate without all the rolling. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of being able to tailor the sound with trying different tubes but I feel like maybe there's a brand out there who's house sound I like better. I haven't listened to anything more yet but brands that are on the list to check out are Backert labs, maybe a used ARC Ref 6, VTL, VAC. There are a million little boutique brands tho and I'm asking what people have heard in the 10k price range, new or used, that might be a good fit for me and why. 

Thanks! 

rmdmoore

Showing 1 response by avanti1960

Having had the RP7 and Rogue Stereo 100 amplifier and other Rogue amplification products I suggest the issues you are hearing are not with the preamp.  

My RP7 with well burned in stock tubes was dark, lush and had a huge sound stage.  Not solid state at all.   Actually it was not transparent enough to my liking and too burnished and rounded.  The JJs are supplied with McIntosh tube gear and are notorious for taking hundreds of hours to burn in.  

Have you tube rolled in the M180s?  

Do try to find some Amperex 12AX7s.  Those are the ticket for a huge sound stage.  Expensive but worth it.  

As for preamps I eventually landed on a Cary Audio SLP 05 and the sound is exceptional.