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Rogue Audio RP-5 Preamp

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Posted on September 4, 2016 at 16:11:15
stereo5
Audiophile

Posts: 1356
Location: New England
Joined: June 22, 2008
 I have been using Audible Illusions Preamps in my systems since day one. Presently, I am using an AI Modulus 3B preamp (their latest and greatest) in my main system. After 21+ years of dual volume controls and no remote, it's time for a change. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE the sound of my preamp so that is not the issue.

I am not looking for better sound, just a different preamp that sounds similar to the Audible Illusions. The Rogue RP-5 seems to fill the bill. It has the amount of inputs I need, plus a mm/mc phono input and a tape processor loop, and it is still tubes! There are no dealers even remotely close to me so this will be another one of those leaps of faith. I have already read all the rave reviews but I don't buy too much into them.

Have any of you heard this preamp, your thoughts? The AI Modulus 3B is 3895.00 with phono input VS the Rogue at 3500.00 I absolutely must have 4 line inputs, a tape loop and phono input. Does all this seem reasonable? rest of system: Odyssey Stratos stereo amp, VPI Scout/Denon DL103mc ctg, Sony HAPZ1ES Music Player, Esoteric UX-3 CD/SACD Player, Magnum Dynalab Tuner, Golden Ear Triton 1 speakers. All power cords and filtering courtesy of Shunyata and all interconnects and speaker cable are Groneberg Quattro Reference. Two 20 amp dedicated circuits.


"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the
most of us...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."


 

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RE: Rogue Audio RP-5 Preamp, posted on September 4, 2016 at 17:54:23
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 4594
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005
I cant tell you if the Rogue will sound better but you can be sure it will sound different. I have tried many preamps over the years and every time one did better things than the other and vis versa. It's all about tradeoffs. Someone may be able to explain how their Rogue sounded but until you hear one in your system in your room it may be a crap shoot....

 

RE: Rogue Audio RP-5 Preamp, posted on September 4, 2016 at 18:01:55
stereo5
Audiophile

Posts: 1356
Location: New England
Joined: June 22, 2008
 That's pretty much my thoughts too. There is also the "what if" my interconnects don't like the new preamp, I don't want to start throwing money into new cables. With no dealers near me, it makes things very difficult.

What I am hoping for is anyone who may have heard the preamp to give me their impressions. The reviews seem to say it is slightly on the warm side of neutral which is how I would describe the Modulus 3B.


"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the
most of us...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."


 

RE: Rogue Audio RP-5 Preamp, posted on September 4, 2016 at 18:24:16
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2446
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 My friend has a Rogue preamp (not that model) and the phono section is solid state. You should give Rogue a call and ask them if the RP-5 is all tube. If it is not then I think you will be disappointed compared to the 3B !

 

Nice system. Nt, posted on September 4, 2016 at 19:06:48
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8491
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
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Gsquared

 

I don't know..., posted on September 6, 2016 at 10:59:50
mbnx01
Audiophile

Posts: 7956
Location: Eagle, Idaho
Joined: October 22, 2004
 I'm a Rogue fan but jeez... the AI preamps are hard to beat.









'A lie is halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on'. -Mark Twain

 

I listened to it extensively., posted on September 6, 2016 at 11:39:52
Prisoners
Audiophile

Posts: 4493
Location: Chicago
Joined: June 13, 2004
 "Lush" it is not. That's not a criticism at all because I thought it was a terrific pre-amp with a refreshing amount of features. For my tastes however I preferred the less expensive Metis Magnum, with the obvious difference being the type of tubes being used. I didn't specifically seek out a 6sn7 based pre-amp but after realizing the ones I preferred are based on that then apparently there's a pattern for me. I'd call the RP-5 very clean with consistent qualities at all volume levels, where as the Metis sounded more full and rich when the volume knob passed the 9:00 point.

 

RE: Nice system. Nt, posted on September 6, 2016 at 18:23:27
stereo5
Audiophile

Posts: 1356
Location: New England
Joined: June 22, 2008
 I agree and that's my dilemma. On the AI, I can only get the volume up to 9 o clock before its too loud for me (93-95db). The preamp puts out too much gain. Between that and the detented volume controls, there isn't much leeway and I can't seem to get the satisfactory volume.. I have owned all 3 Modulus 3 series, starting with the Modulus3, then the 3A, and finally the 3B. Unfortunately, the 3 source components (tuner, cd player and music server) all have fixed outputs of 2 volts, so I can't adjust the volume from there either. I hate to part with the pre and probably will keep it for a spare, but I do want to be able to adjust the volume to my taste and with a remote! I was thinking of the Prim Luna Dialogue preamp (there more expensive one), but it doesn't have a tape or processor loop which I occasionally need.


"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the
most of us...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."


 

Just a thought but..., posted on September 7, 2016 at 08:15:12
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 If you like this preamp this much then consider the following.

What if you had the preamp modified to put this volume control in place of one of the volume controls.

This will add dual volume and remote. Besides being tons better than the control that is already in there - double bonus points!

You would need to find someone to do this modification. It actually isn't hard to do. However make it reversible in case you want to sell the preamp.

If you restart the journey you're basically heading back on the audio road. And it's a long and $$$$ road at that. Besides you already have one of the great preamps. Not getting that much better unless you just get lucky!!!!

Been there dude!!!

 

RE: Rogue Audio RP-5 Preamp, posted on September 7, 2016 at 18:27:00
Pingvin
Audiophile

Posts: 30
Joined: September 27, 2011
 if I understand from one of your replies, the reason for wanting to change is that beyond 9 o'clock is too loud. I agree that's a problem -- aside from not having fine control over volume, most pots are not very accurate working in that range, so you're not getting the best the preamp can deliver.

But I wouldn't point the finger at the preamp. The preamp attenuates. What you're really saying is that the preamp doesn't attenuate enough, or that the power amp has too much gain, or that the speakers are too sensitive. If you're attached to the AI, then you might find it easier and cheaper to replace the amp or speakers.

Alternatively, you could put extra attenuation in line with the preamp, or have the pot replaced, both for much less money than replacing the pre.

If you really really want to replace the pre, I'm not sure the RP5 is your pick -- I listened to one in another (but known) system and found it to be quite "clean" sounding. No slight on Rogue, as I think they make some terrific gear -- the Ares phono is great value -- but the RP5 just doesn't have a very tubey sound.

Apologies if this post sounds negative -- just trying to help you avoid some frustrating and expensive experiences.

 

RE: Rogue Audio RP-5 Preamp, posted on September 7, 2016 at 20:40:38
stereo5
Audiophile

Posts: 1356
Location: New England
Joined: June 22, 2008
 The high amount of gain is a known issue with the 3 series preamp. The reason being there are no cathode followers. I have had 3 different amps and speakers in and out of this system but always with the same preamp. It is the preamp. There was a guy in the forums here that did modifications to the preamp to lower the output level of the preamp. I thought I had saved his message but it seems to be gone. I can live without a remote and live with the 2 volume controls, if I could only get more range on the preamps volume control.


"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the
most of us...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."


 

RE: Rogue Audio RP-5 Preamp, posted on September 8, 2016 at 06:30:40
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Then just have the volume pots changed to a more appropriate level. Simple easy and a pretty cheap solution.

The volume pot is always a weak point in any system. So an upgrade would be a surprisingly nice addition anyway.

Telling ya - once you go with a Goldpoint or Khozmo you ain't going back!!!

 

RE: I listened to it extensively., posted on September 11, 2016 at 15:45:57
mbnx01
Audiophile

Posts: 7956
Location: Eagle, Idaho
Joined: October 22, 2004
 Fascinating. I heard the Perseus and thought it was a step up from the Metis. Never heard a Metis Magnum.... is it that much better than the standard Metis?


'A lie is halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on'. -Mark Twain

 

Don't know., posted on September 12, 2016 at 10:17:34
Prisoners
Audiophile

Posts: 4493
Location: Chicago
Joined: June 13, 2004
 They no longer offer the standard Metis, and may not offer it in any form now...it's no longer listed on their site.

 

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