Would There be a Significant Difference


Over the past nine months I have acquired a new system, consisting of a NAD C568 CD player used as a transport, an iFi Zen Stream, a Schiit Bifrost 2/64 DAC, a Rogue Audio RP-1 preamp, a Benchmark AHB2 amplifier, all feeding into Fyne F702 floor standing speakers and a Definitive Tech Supercube 6000 subwoofer.  All inter-connected with modest but decent cables and using modestly upgraded power cables and power conditioning.  The improvement over my previous NAD 356BEE driving a McIntosh MC2120 driving a pair of Infinity Modulus EMIT satellites and the same sub is simply astounding.  Great sound stage, instrument placement—imaging, clarity, and lack of noise.  I know that most of the improvement in what my old ear hear is due simply to the higher grade products I have, but I also wonder if some of what I like is attributable to the fact that the RP-1 is a tube preamp.

However, my “advisor” says I should really have a better preamp, one at roughly the same level as the Fyne speakers (the 700 is series made in Scotland, with multiple layers of plywood vs MDF) and the Benchmark power amp.  Should I choose to upgrade my preamp, I would like be able to use the XLR connections from DAC to preamp to amp for even a bit lower noise—more prevention than an issue.  Our house is very quiet.

I have looked at and researched preamps up to about $5500, and I have narrowed the choices down to the following preamps:

Benchmark LA4/HPA4

Rogue Audio RP-7

Backert Labs Rhumba 1.3

Bryston BP-17 Cubed

Parasound JCP2 BP

PS Audio BHK Signature—normally out of price range but on sale (2B replaced?)

Are there other models in this price range that I should consider? I will purchase a separate phono preamp as necessary.

So, my question is, if I spend the money for one of these preamps, ranging from about $2500 to $5500, will I notice a significant improvement in the sound quality? Secondarily, would folks recommend I stay with a tube model or go with one of the two SS models, the Benchmark or the Parasound?  
 

Fortunately, AudioAdvisor and Benchmark have audition provisions, which will allow me to listen to all but the Backert and the PS Audio.

 

Any and all advice and recommendations will be most welcome.  I would not want to spend several thousand dollars on an upgrade that brought only marginal improvements, but I am willing to spend it—the kids are long out of college with no debt—for a significant improvement.  I’m one of the types who thinks you can get 85% (or so) of the best quality for a fair bit less than 85% of the cost. 

Thanks to all for any input.

 

 

 

mike4597

IMO it's a no brainer go with the Benchmark preamp for eliminating any synergy issues. 

Many thanks for the great and useful comments. I have narrowed my preamp choice down to two tubed brands, either Rogue Audio or Backert.  Right now, I have an opportunity to audition the Rogue RP-7 AND the Backert Rhumba 1.3 at home for a week.  In the store—with components well above my own, I liked the tonal qualities of the Rogue and the imaging and soundstage of the Backert, leaving me in something of a fix.  I will have to make a choice in the next week, but I am wondering if I should look at the next higher models from these two companies, the Rogue RP-9 and the Backert Rhumba Extreme 1.3, which are the same price, at $7500, roughly 50% higher than the models I am auditioning.  There are few reviews of the Rhumba 1.3 but many highly laudatory reviews of the Rhumba Extreme.  Or, in that price range—and staying with new equipment, should I consider something like the McIntosh C2700 or some other model?  The $7500 point would have to be my absolute maximum—plus “the governor’s cut” via sales taxes.  My thinking is that stepping up a notch from the RP-7 and the Rhumba would give me “headroom” for future upgrades to my sources and my power amp, without having to upgrade the preamp once again.  Again, thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.

The difference between the presentations of the Rogue and Backert pres may be quite different in your system and room that at the dealers.

Take advantage of this opportunity. 

@mike4597 I auditioned at home the Rogue RH-5 (which like the RP-7 has balanced in and out) and the Backert Rhumba.  I found them more similar than different, but ended up preferring the Rhumba by a hair.  Will be interested to hear your experience with the RP-7.