Preamp Upgrade Time

if you can live minus a remote, single ended, and have space for a couple of external power supplies you just can’t go wrong with one of Emmanuel Go’s First Sound preamps  

Everyone is going to recommend their tube preamp so i'l do the same--make sure Aesthetix Calypso Signature is on your list

@mike4597 

I had the RP-7 for a while and ultimately it just sounded too polished and lacked resolution and accuracy of tonality.  Nice and dynamically punchy but missing some clarity.  

I upgraded to the Cary Audio SLP-05 and man the sound is awesome.  Save some money for a NOS rectifier and 4 6SN7 tubes (so clear and smooth).  The sound is so spontaneous, fast, powerful, ultra low noise, smooth and tube like with golden euphonic tones and sweet treble.  

The R-Core transformer and two-chassis SET design make for dark quiet backgrounds. 

What amp will you be using? 

  First off, I want to thank ALL for their input regarding my search for a new preamplifier, which gave me a great deal to think about and to investigate, and it is time to let folks know what I have chosen.  First off, because of medical issues facing both my wife and me, I was unable to get out to audition other preamplifiers.  You might argue that I "took the easy way out," but I took possession today of a Rogue Audio RP-9 v2 preamplifier. My  dealer offered me a very nice trade value on my RP-7, and I corresponded by email extensively with the folks at Rogue Audio, who answered a number of questions.  I looked really hard at the Audio Research LS28se and a few of the more "exotic" offerings, but I wanted to keep the cost close to the price of the new RP-9 v2 less my trade, and I have been VERY pleased with the RP-7 (v1), so I guess I am happy with "the Rogue sound," if there is a such a thing--actually,  don't think there really such a thing.  Their products, in my opinion, just reproduce what is in the source music.

  I have been listening to the new preamp in my system for about eight hours now, and I have to say it is a significant upgrade, as good as the RP-7 was.  So far--Bill at Rogue has told me it will take about 150 hours for it to fully burn in, I have noticed better bass control and depth, finer definition and tonal qualities of instruments, and somewhat improved imaging and sound stage, which was already quite good with the RP-7.  Additionally, it seems that the background noise level is reduced beyond that of even the RP-7, which I felt to be quite good.

  So, my overall reaction is that the move from the Rogue RP-7 v1 to the RP-9 v2 is a SUBSTANTIAL upgrade.  I am looking forward to further improvements as the unit burns in.

  Once again, thanks to all for their comments and suggestions.  Were I a younger man I might have been more adventurous and tried one of the more exotic brands, but already I am extremely happy with my Rogue Audio RP-9 v2 as it is doing a superb job of reproducing the music ... and the music is what this "hobby" is really all about.

@mike4597 

Congrats on your purchase and enjoy!