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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?

mahler123
jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
1,109 posts
 

RP-7 with upgrades over on USA for ~$2.8K.

I been running an RP-1 with Mullards for years.  Good support from the company. 

avanti1960
1,740 posts
 

@mahler123 

The RP-1 is the best value in ~ $1K preamps.  That said I felt it sounded bland and it did not respond to tube change improvement attempts.

If that is your budget I suggest you wait for a used Rogue Perseus Magnum (excellent) or RH-5 headphone amp / preamp.  

 

soix
11,230 posts
 

Maybe take a look at Quicksilver that’s around $1500 new.  Good luck with the Cary. 

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
2,386 posts
 

@mahler123, see here smiley

Mike

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,358 posts
 

Have you looked at Audio by Van Alstine's offerings?

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