I'm in the same boat but the only Tube pre/amp on my radar is the Backert Labs Rumba 1.3. I'm most likely gonna save tubes for another day and get the Jc2 bypass as I'm curious to hear it with my Jc5 than anything else. The Rogue does sound like an appealing option.
Which Preamp with JC5? Rogue Audio RP-9 or Parasound JC2
I’m deciding which preamp to use with a Parasound JC5 Amp: JC2 or RP-9?
I’m looking for a spacious, 3D, holographic presentation. I like to fuse the euphonic tube characteristics with the extended frequency response, detail, and dynamics of solid state. I’ve decided on a JC5 Amp, but I’m wondering which preamp will excel in these characteristics, the JC2 or RP-9?
I had a demo Pass XP-22 and X250.8 in my listening room for 2 weeks. It sounded stellar, everything you could want in the sonic department, but the XP-22 required the volume to be turned up 75% to achieve moderate listening levels, which introduces slight noise. The X250.8 developed wobbly XLR connectors after the third IC hook up. I was told that connectors can wobble to break up cable stress - hogwash for a $14k system! I returned the Pass system at a $700 loss. Horrible experience with QC.
I’m ready to try again, this time with a Parasound JC5 and a new preamp. I’ve heard they have no QC issues with the JC5 or JC1+.
I do have other tube equipment to compare and test the JC5. A Don Sachs 6SN7-based Custom Linestage, Kootenay 120 KT88 Amp, and the Manley Chinook phono stage provide tube galore.
Thanks!