Preamp for Rogue Stereo 100 amplifier

What features do you need?  Phono stage?  I have a couple options for you.  

To start, I have heard the Rogue RP5 and it is a good sounding preamp and in the beefy part of your price range.  Don't discount it because it hasn't made a list.  The reality is that your price range is tough for new gear.  The really amazing units are in the $4-$6K range.  

I have four units that could be of interest to you.  

A bit above your budget but the Art Audio Conductor Simply 2 is brilliant.  I am the importer and have paired it with another Rogue Amp I owned for years and they pair really well together.  It is $5500 but I can flex, especially if you have an item you can trade in or don't need a remote. 

The Musical Fidelity M8 was just reintroduced and it is a giant killer.  At $4999, it is a SS masterpiece.  

The Musical Fidelity M6 is a stupidly good value and at $1999 is below your budget and IMO, will rival the RP5 in terms of sound quality.  

Musical Fidelity is just a great value due to it being made in Taiwan.  Way better equipment than the price would indicate.  And the units are built like tanks.  

For my 3 new items I offer free shipping and a 30 Day No Questions Asked return policy.  

I am also going to be listing a used PS Audio BHK with the stock tubes and two pairs of Tunsgrams.  The Art Audio is a slightly nicer sounding unit IMO but I can't get down to $4K.  The BHK with tubes should be $4K.  No returns on used gear.  

@pani 

Rogue's own preamp is an option but they are not as well reputed as the power amps so I am considering other options too. Budget, $3-4k new/used

I don't think I'd say Rogue's preamps aren't as well reputed, particularly in the case of the RP-7 which I believe is a Stereophile 2019 Class A component and many other really solid reviews.  Fully balanced, it's on my short list of contenders for my next pre. With a list price new of $4995, I'm sure you could get one in your price range used or perhaps new if the dealer provides some typical range discount.

OP, please forgive me for hijacking your post, but I think my question is relevant and may assist us both.

Anyone have experience comparing the PSAudio BHK and Rogue RP-7 directly? Impressions? Which one would you / did you buy?

Thanks.

Having owned the Stereo 100 and a Rogue Cronus Magnum-II, I would opt for the new CM-III and request the factory resistor and capacitor upgrades. Total expenditure would be very near that of a new ST-100 and you'll simplify your setup.

While I liked both amps, I found the CM-II had superior musicality - for whatever reason, it was simply more involving. Both lean toward an accurate, SS-like sound rather than a lush tubey sound. The ST-100 is smoother, with better bass precision, but based on my examination of the circuits, that most likely results from the higher-grade caps and resistors, which can be custom ordered for the CM3. 

I have the ST100 paired with the RP7 (a bit out of your budget), but not surprising they are an excellent match.  The RP7 with its stock JJ 12AU7 tubes is "neutral" as least as far as tube setups go, but easily bests my previous Halo Int for treble extension and mid range smoothness.  I've recently replaced the JJs with Radiotechnique 12AU7s and couldn't be happier, as they are a big improvement over the JJs for both bass and treble extension, with a dose of warmth.  Yes, it now sounds more tubey.  : )   Perhaps a used RP5, with future tube rolling is an option for you?  The only other preamp of sorts I tried with the ST100 was my ADI-2 DAC driving the ST100 directly, and it sounded surprisingly good, though not at the level of the RP7.  

Along those lines, I have Amperex Bugle Boy type 12AX7 coming in soon, and will try those out in the ST100.  It's so much fun...