Congrats on the preamp glad your enjoying it so much! And just listened to Zu at Cap Audio Fest I really like their sound. And at 101db a slight hiss with your ear to the speaker is pretty darn quiet. I assume your next step is a tube amp or low power SS? Those speakers were really made for it, they were using a pair of First Watt monos to great effect at the show and I am a diehard tube guy. Have fun and happy listening!
Thoughts on my New Rogue Rp-5 Preamp
It's been about a week and a half since my RP-5 came back from Rogue repair (bad op amps and LED display ground). Rogue installed new tubes. The tubes have settled in with about 30 hours of run time. I really like the overall sound of the JJ 12au7-s tubes. Very quiet (for tubes). I can only hear slight hiss at speaker and this is with 101db Zu speakers and a high gain Nuforce class a/b amp (34.8 db). So when I get a new amp next year which will have lower gain (most amps are around 28db or under), i'm sure the hiss will be even more quiet. However, I am happy with the noise levels now...so no hurry. Plus, I know tubes are generally not as quiet as SS.
My previous preamp was a Peachtree NOVA pre. The Peachtree sounded a little harsh imo with high frequencies. No harshness at all with the RP-5. In fact, I have not had ear fatigue once since hooking up the Rogue. The mids in the Rogue sound smooth and the highs are smooth and "airey". The low end bass is fantastic with the RP-5 and my Nuforce amp. I judge the bass and set the ZU speaker height using the section of the Beatles "Come Together" where Paul lets the (I believe A) bass string ring out ("Joker do what he please"). You can feel the note linger.
I love having all the functions on the remote. Especially the mono and processor loop buttons. I have a Schiit EQ being delivered Saturday and I will place it in the processor loop. Basically, I do lots of listening late at night at low volumes. I will be able to switch on the EQ (boost low end) to use as a loudness control for improved low end at low volume.
I do not have a TT so if I run out of inputs, I can internally switch the phono input to a regular input, which is nice.
I believe I will just keep the JJ tubes until they need replaced and may try Brimars at that time.
The RP-5 sounds great with all types of music. I love classic rock, progressive along with classic JAZZ and classical.
I say the RP-5 was well worth the price. The component seems like its built like a tank. I believe the RP-7 is basically a balanced version. I'm sure the RP-1 sounds pretty similar as well. The Rogue rep told me that the RP-1 is 85% of the RP-5.
I highly suggest this PRE amp.
My previous preamp was a Peachtree NOVA pre. The Peachtree sounded a little harsh imo with high frequencies. No harshness at all with the RP-5. In fact, I have not had ear fatigue once since hooking up the Rogue. The mids in the Rogue sound smooth and the highs are smooth and "airey". The low end bass is fantastic with the RP-5 and my Nuforce amp. I judge the bass and set the ZU speaker height using the section of the Beatles "Come Together" where Paul lets the (I believe A) bass string ring out ("Joker do what he please"). You can feel the note linger.
I love having all the functions on the remote. Especially the mono and processor loop buttons. I have a Schiit EQ being delivered Saturday and I will place it in the processor loop. Basically, I do lots of listening late at night at low volumes. I will be able to switch on the EQ (boost low end) to use as a loudness control for improved low end at low volume.
I do not have a TT so if I run out of inputs, I can internally switch the phono input to a regular input, which is nice.
I believe I will just keep the JJ tubes until they need replaced and may try Brimars at that time.
The RP-5 sounds great with all types of music. I love classic rock, progressive along with classic JAZZ and classical.
I say the RP-5 was well worth the price. The component seems like its built like a tank. I believe the RP-7 is basically a balanced version. I'm sure the RP-1 sounds pretty similar as well. The Rogue rep told me that the RP-1 is 85% of the RP-5.
I highly suggest this PRE amp.
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- 14 posts total
- 14 posts total