Balanced Line Stage Tube Preamps

Your critique of ARC LS28SE/Rogue RP-9 welcome if offered.

@hickamore ARC has never supported AES48. So that means to get the most out of them you have to audition cables and be careful about ground loops. This isn't any different from using a single-ended preamp. I'm not sure of the Rogue, but it appears to have single-ended outputs in tandem with the balanced outputs and there's no switch involved so this suggests that it does not support the standard either. In both cases this says nothing about the 'sound' of the preamp, just that you have to be careful about cables and ground loops, neither of which should be a thing with balance operation.

FWIW remote and silver front panels are available for our MP-3.

@atmasphere Appreciate the helpful clarifications. To date I have had success with XLR cables and avoiding ground loops (using other tube equipment). In any event, information gleaned here helps me quickly narrow my search range.

All reviews I have read of the MP-3 says you DON"T offer silver or remotes! A recent development? The other limitation is lack of RCA inputs, which would require modification or replacement of analog source components. Guess I would also be concerned about the number and variety of tubes used, as reliability and ease of replacement are important factors for part-time dilettantes of my stripe.

@hickamore Andy Tebbe is extremely responsive and easy to talk to, and will answer all your questions.

@twoleftears Good to know! Will prepare my list before calling. 

All reviews I have read of the MP-3 says you DON"T offer silver or remotes! A recent development? The other limitation is lack of RCA inputs,

@hickamore Silver has been available for about 10 years or so. The remote probably about 6-7 years. The preamp is equipped with two RCA inputs (Monitor 1 and Monitor 2) for a total of five inputs.