I've heard the Rogue 99 and it was fabulous! A much sweeter and more layered presentation than the 3A. The AI M3A is a very nice sounding preamp (which I currently own). Just hope you NEVER have to send it back to AI for service. If you do you will encounter the most disfunctional people in the industry. They have preamps which have been returned for service for so long after they have promised (over and over again) to return them (sometimes 4-6 months), that they have to screen their calls to avoid their angry customers. I have owned 4 AI preamps and all have been sonic bargains, but the total lack of integrity I've encountered with the company has forced me to say I'll not own another.
preamps - vtl tl5.5/rogue 99/linn kairn
i currently use a linn kairn w/brilliant p/s & fono - great transparency/detail/clarity/pace, & convenience. considering toobs, & have narrowed it down to the vtl tl-5.5 & the rogue 99. both have optional internal fono, like the linn. i'm interested in the possibility of better soundstage depth, but don't wanna give up what the linn does well. speakers are meret re's, bi-amped w/a pair of electrocompaniet amps; lo-end is x-over'd at 60hz w/a marchand 24db/octave x-over, to a pair of bridged adcom gfa 555's driving vmps larger subs. any comments/suggestions? max budget is ~$2k (new *or* used). thanks