I can confirm, I had an rp-9 and it had no warmth, so take care with system matching on that. The older Rogue 6H30 preamp line of Athena / Hera had more warmth (not a traditional tube warmth to be sure, but still there). The rp-9 actually had fantastic bass, to go with great detail and dynamics. But not warmth. The ARC Reference 6 is warm by comparison. I kind of wonder how the rp-9 would sound with different coupling caps than those Mundorf gold/silver/oil EVO.
Which Preamp with JC5? Rogue Audio RP-9 or Parasound JC2
I’m deciding which preamp to use with a Parasound JC5 Amp: JC2 or RP-9?
I’m looking for a spacious, 3D, holographic presentation. I like to fuse the euphonic tube characteristics with the extended frequency response, detail, and dynamics of solid state. I’ve decided on a JC5 Amp, but I’m wondering which preamp will excel in these characteristics, the JC2 or RP-9?
I had a demo Pass XP-22 and X250.8 in my listening room for 2 weeks. It sounded stellar, everything you could want in the sonic department, but the XP-22 required the volume to be turned up 75% to achieve moderate listening levels, which introduces slight noise. The X250.8 developed wobbly XLR connectors after the third IC hook up. I was told that connectors can wobble to break up cable stress - hogwash for a $14k system! I returned the Pass system at a $700 loss. Horrible experience with QC.
I’m ready to try again, this time with a Parasound JC5 and a new preamp. I’ve heard they have no QC issues with the JC5 or JC1+.
I do have other tube equipment to compare and test the JC5. A Don Sachs 6SN7-based Custom Linestage, Kootenay 120 KT88 Amp, and the Manley Chinook phono stage provide tube galore.
Thanks!
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Many thanks Avanti1960, jdub39, lowrider57, rmdmoore, mulveling! These are all excellent suggestions and points. I forgot about the Cary SLP-05 preamp in this discussion. I’m definitely going to consider it too. Stereophile didn’t drool over the balanced input measurements on the SLP-05 taken by JA. Also, I’m not sure if the $1,600 upgrade will be significant/needed?… I know I can’t tube roll on the RP-9 with the 6H30 tube, however, I have a surplus of 6SN7, 6SL7, 12AU7, 12AX7, 6922, etc. when considering different tube preamps, like the RP07. Mundorf EVO are not the most mature PP caps. I could try different coupling caps like Jupiter Cu which are lush, dimensional, warm, and detailed for the RP-9. I’m wondering if the RP-7 can also benefit from upgrading the coupling caps - the EVO Oil is not a super cap... I make my own speakers, and I use Mundorf Supreme Silver Oil, Duelund Cu, Jupiter Cu caps in the crossovers, and I find that they render a more mature sound than EVOs. |
Interesting! I’d also upgraded from the Rogue Apollo monoblocks (plain white M-Caps) to Apollo Darks (EVO silver/gold/oil caps), and I’m not sure I really enjoy the Darks any more than the standard version. When their top 6H30 preamps were Rogue Athena & Hera, they used standard Mundorf Supreme caps and I really liked them! I’m definitely suspicious that I simply don’t dig the EVO’s voicing. Don't get me wrong, I still love the Apollo Darks - they can rock like crazy - but they do better with warm partner gear. The pairing with RP-9 was way on the other side of that lol. I also have VAC gear which uses a mix of Genteq and Jupiter / Beeswax coupling caps - and for numerous reasons including cap selection, I’m sure - these components always sound warm and sweet. I have sizeable stash of vintage 6922 / 12ax7 / 12au7 / 12bh7 tubes here too. When the 6H30 sound is "right", I love it and am content to not roll. |
Hey @88man, I own the JC2 BP and JC5, and have absolutely no complain on the sound. Very neutral and musical, and tiny touch of warmth. It's dead quiet. Make sure you use quality cable between the 2. I've been using Kimber Kable Hero XLR, and had recently upgraded to Kimber Kable Select KS-1116, and wow, what a difference did it make. Especially with better and tighter bass. There has been a $500 price drop on the JC2 for awhile, and it's probably going to be here to stay. Having said that, I actually just ordered the Cary SLP-05. I've always been very curious about tube preamps, and have read so many positive comments here. I feel that I've got to try it out for myself even though I like my current setup. Now I can't wait to listen to it. Anyway, good luck with your search. Feel free to ping me if you have questions on the JC2. |
Mulveling, your view of the EVO Oils mirrors my experience. Mundorf's Supreme line is the best, only excelled by Duelund Cu or Jupiter Cu. I have the Jupiter Cu in a Don Sachs Model 2 Preamp, and it sounds stellar with Kootenay 120 KT88 amp. Xcool, Please share your experience with the Cary SLP-05 and JC5. I'd love to know how it works out. As far as IC and spkr cables go, I make my own using the Duelund DCA-20 and DCA-12 Oil impregnated wire from PartsConnexion.com -- warmth, detail, extended, spacious. I'll look into the Kimber Kable Select KS-1116 for the XLR IC. Great experiences! |
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