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I have been enjoying this preamplifier last night and today. I have tomorrow as well, as Goodwin's High End in Waltham, Massachusetts is closed on Mondays. My thanks to the folks at Goodwin's.
I certainly prefer it to the built in preamplifier circuit in the Krell Foundation, though the Foundation does a very nice job on its own. The Rogue is a bit more transparent and has some of the tube magic. I hear more detail, a bit of a liquid sound, and the soundstage is both wider and deeper. Imaging is very good with either preamp set up, but the Krell's soundstage has almost no depth, which is my biggest criticism of it.
The Rogue's built in phono stage is the big surprise for me. At least one, and maybe two, reviewers have described it as somewhat limited compared to the line level inputs, but I disagree. My reference phono preamp has been the PS Audio GCPH, and Rogue's built in circuit is a clear improvement over the GCPH into a line input. Very nice! I have it set at 60db and 230 ohm for my Dynavector DV20x2. I liked the 100 and 300 settings too. Changing gain and setting and capacitance requires accessing internal dip switches (hence it being topless in the pictures)
I also love the functionality and, so far, seemless, silent operation. As you'll see in the picture below, it's part of a dual purpose system - TV-Home Theater and 2 channel. So far I have not heard any pops, hiss, buzzes, hums or other noises even when turning it on and off with the power amps constantly on. When turned off, the HT by-pass kicks in automatically and is purely passive and seamless.
I also love the headphone amp. Best I've ever heard by a far margin, but then I'm not an aficionado of cans.
And, look inside it! It's gorgeous!
Here are my only criticisms or reservations:
1. It is a bit lush at times, with the bass both a bit less deep and less tight than the Krell. I understand, however, from Inmate Stereo5, and my dealer, that there is a particular recommended set of NOS Mullard tubes that will make the bass both tighter and deeper than these stock JJ tubes.
2. The metal cover rings like a bell when removed. It could be used as a triangle, or tuning fork, or . . . you get the picture. Might use some damping material if I get it (which should be fine as it runs very cool).
3. It is HUGE. It's bigger than my CJ MF2250 power amp! But it runs very cool - the vent above the tubes only gets a little warm, so it should fit fine into one of the shelves on my rack.
4. It inverts phase. I'll reverse the speaker wires, but then those speakers will be out of phase for video and multichannel stuff. Honestly, though, I've never been sensitive to phase. Had a CJ 17LS for years before I reversed the speaker wires and . . . umm . . . neither my wife nor I could hear a change.
I am pretty close to deciding I'll order one on Tuesday, unless I notice something between now and then that changes my impressions.
.
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"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
Follow Ups:
I love my Rogue RP-5. I wasn't a fan of the JJ tubes that came with it so I bought 4 NOS Mullard 12au7 matched tubes at 60.00 a piece from Uncle Kevvy.. It brings the preamp up a couple of levels and there will be a little less of that lush and more of the detail. This is definitely a keeper for me. I find the phono input to be as good as the phono pre in the Audible Illusions Modulus 3B I was using prior. Yup, it's that good.
"Big man, pig man, ha ha charade you are.
You well heeled big wheel, ha ha charade you are."
R. Waters
Thanks!
It's quite similar, but a bit sweeter and not quite as neutral, and yet more dynamic.On a closed 1 to 10 scale, if I were to label the CJ PV14L as a 1, meaning the bottom of neutral, and the 17LS as a 10, meaning the top of neutral, I'd give the Rogue about a 7.5.
But it's much more dynamic than the PV14L and somewhat more so than the 17LS. It has very good boogey factor! On an open 1 to 10 scale, I'd say PV14 would be a 5, 17LS a 7.5, and the Rogue a 9.
Also, the Rogue is dead silent like the 17LS (the PV14L was hissy). And, unlike any CJ I've tried, it is also consistently dead silent on turn on, turn off and switching source input. (Knock on wood.)
It's less expensive than the 17LS even without adjusting for inflation and has an excellent phono stage and headphone amp, which were absent from the 17LS.
It's plastic remote reminds me of the entry level CJ remotes, rather than the pretty metal CJ Premier remotes, but that's OK with me.
If I buy it and put in the recommended NOS tubes, I'll report back as I've been told they are "night and day" better from the JJs in it now.
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"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
Edits: 05/22/17
That's interesting and encouraging. Thanks for the comparison summary.
I also felt that the PV14L was very "polite" and a little rolled off at each frequency extreme. The solid-state Premier 18LS was more dynamic than the PV14L but still a bit "polite" compared to other preamps I've had.
Please post again with your decision once you've 'pulled the trigger' so to speak. Thanks!
I just ordered an RP-5 in silver from Paul, the manager of Goodwin's High End. Great guy!
Paul says that he has his own "tube guy" who also inspects tubes very carefully like Kevin Deal does and offers competitive prices. He'll get back to me on the price his guy can offer on the recommended Mullards and I'll likely get them from him too.
Woo Hoo! Can't wait!
Anyone wanna buy a used PS Audio GCPH? Great unit! ;-)
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"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
Please post again once you've had more time on it. Thanks!
Congrats, you are going to love it. It took exactly a week from the time I ordered mine until it was built and ready to be picked up. I didn't know that Goodwins carried Rogue. I live within a 45 minute drive from them. I bought mine from Overture in Wilmington, DE and drove down on a Saturday to pick it up.
"Big man, pig man, ha ha charade you are.
You well heeled big wheel, ha ha charade you are."
R. Waters
Thanks! Can't wait. Paul is offering the Mullard 12AU7 flat plates recommended by Rogue for $60 bucks each, which I understand is the same price as what you paid Kevin, so I pulled the trigger on those too.
Goodwin's only just started carrying Rogue gear recently. I'm pretty sure they dropped ARC actually, which surprised me but I've not yet had a chance to ask Paul why.
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"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
TY- JoshT
In the past, I have dealt w/ Spearit Sound in MA.
I like Spearit Sound. But I wish they still had their Brookline, MA location as I like to hear, touch and smell and then home audition! ;-)
I got my CJ 17LS, CA200 and MF2250 from them, as well as a lot of other stuff over the years. Stilll have the MF2250.
Ralph Spear is a nice guy, and I really like Leland (RIP).
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"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
My contact at Spearit Sound has been Jack Tozzi.
He is very keen on Conrad Johnson gear- those guys must move alot of product!
Happy Listening!
Don't go nuts on those tubes. Go over to the tube forum and get the best tube FOR that preamp. Just because it's NOS doesn't mean it's a given "good tube" for that unit. Don't be wary of new production tubes because there are some EXCELLENT new tubes available.
An example is my new GL 12AT7s are better then my highly praised RCA long black plates.
There is a specific set that Rogue itself recommends. They are a specific Mullard tube available from Kevin Deal. Inmate stereo5 has mentioned them in his posts and uses them and likes them. My dealer has mentioned them too and can provide them.
But yes, I agree with you.
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"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
Beautiful pics! JoshT
interesting combo w/ the CJ, Krell and Rogue Audio.
I am a big fan of Conrad Johnson. I have always wanted to demo Krell gear.
Additionally, I have heard Rogue Audio gear over the years and it is a sleeper in many ways. At its price -point, tough to beat (no pun).
Keep me posted on your musical gear journey!
They actually complement each other beautifully!
The only Krell component is the Foundation, which is their award winning processor, and it really is phenomenal. Even as a two channel preamplifier it's quite good, and as a processor of mulitchannel TV, movie tracks and music, it's stunningly good. With the Rogue in the chain, it will be releived of two channel duty (other than movies streamed that way).
The CJ MF2250 is a wonderfully natural sounding solid state power amplifier.
And the Rogue PR-5 has a fairly similar sound to the CJ preamplifiers so it's a great match with the MF2250.
Seems strange though! ;-)
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"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
JoshT-
I am certainly interested in the CJ/Krell combo.
What cables , power cords are you using?
Nothing fancy. Entry level Siltech pro series (Londons I think) for interconnect and the stock power cords for now.
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"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
Very nice! JoshT-
you are really onto something, as Siltech, is a sonic match for CJ gear.
I have not had an opportunity to audition this brand.
I am a "cable" buy first and foremost. System synergy is key.
Whom is your dealer/retailer?
My dealer is Goodwin's High End in Waltham, MA. Excellent group. Particularly like the office manager, Paul Chambers. Great guy.
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"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
nt
Believe it or not, I never made that connection until right now! I guess I compartmentalize things an awful lot! ;-)
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"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
2. The metal cover rings like a bell when removed.
Then take the cover out to the garage. :)
Perhaps what you meant is that the unit itself is sensitive to having removed the cover. Use isolation pucks on it. Understand that having the center speaker radiate so closely to its location is not ideal.
I just meant that I think the cover is likely to vibrate because, when I removed it and then tapped it, it went "piiiiiinnnnnggggg". ;-) So yes, probably resonant pucks or something similar from Herbie's.
Thankfully, the center speaker will never be on when the Rogue is. For multichannel, the Krell steps in and its LF/RR outputs go through the turned off Rogue to the CJ power amp, while its C, RL and RR outputs go to the Rotel amp.
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"If you are the owner of a new stereophonic system, this record will play with even more brilliant true-to-life fidelity. In short, you can purchase this record with no fear of its becoming obsolete in the future."
You may need tube rings for that "ping" effect.
Great to read you're auditioning one. Enjoy
I use Herbie's dampers on the small signal tubes with VTL monoblocks. :)
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