RP-1 is excellent. Throw in a matched pair of Brimar CV4003 from upscale audio and it will compete with much higher priced preamps. The built in phono stage is very nice even though you don’t need it - I wouldn’t worry about it there’s no compromise is RP-1 performance because of it.
I only have very fond memories of RP-1.
Rouge Audio RP-1
My much beloved Cary Audio SLP-3 preamp is in the shop. Hopefully it comes back fixed but I am looking at replacements just in case. The Cary presents a great sound stage and vivid colors and cost just a little over $1K over 15 years ago.
Not many new tubed preamps in that price range, from what I can tell. The RP-1 is one of the few. I don’t care for the Prima Luna house sound, and I’ve owned McIntosh before, but consider them poor value, as I feel they are charging a premium for their face glass and meters.
I don’t need the phono stage of the RP-1, so not happy about having resources devoted to that. It also has a headphone amp, which I guess I could use, although I don’t do much headphone listening; so again a dilution of resources , imo.
Does anyone have any familiarity with this pre amp, and can they compare it with a Cary?
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- 16 posts total
@mahler123, see here Mike |
- 16 posts total