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Preamp Choice: Rogue 99 Magnum vs. BAT VK30

I have both of these preamps, and they both have their plusses and minusses. Both have remotes, which I like! The BAT is chock full of features, the Rogue fewer. I have yet to get away from Stock tubes, and so I don't know how their sound will change when I get some better NOS tubes in them. Has anyone heard the two of them with good tubes? Which is more transparent? Any report of sonic qualities, or good comparisons, would be very appreciated!

OH - and the rest of my system is a Bruce Moore dual 70 tube amp running KT88's, Proac 2.5 speakers, an Arcam CD23 CDP, and a Linn LP12 TT with Denon DL103r cartridge. Thanks.
peter_s
remoteluxury
9 posts
 
What are the sonic differences between your BAT vs. the Rogue preamp in your setup?
peter_s OP
1,321 posts
 
With stock tubes (slight upgrade from Stock on Rogue, NOS RCA's) I find the Rogue to be more transparent with better and more defined bass presence, but more forward vocal range, which can come across as more aggressive. I am very sensitive to a hint of aggressive mid, though my listening buddy thinks it's worth it for the transparency (subjective choice). I figure I can't make a choice until I've put good tubes in both.

Has anyone upgraded the tubes in either unit? What results did you have? I've heard that the BAT really opens up to become more musical ("sweeter, less sterile"). Rogue and BAT users out there, what improvements have you seen? Have you compared these two preamps?
kevin66
18 posts
 
Go Bat!
saxo
98 posts
 
Which RCAs are in there? Black base, brown base, GTA, GTA?
peter_s OP
1,321 posts
 
They are NOS RCA 6SN7 GTB tubes, as seen in this ebay ad:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14947&item=2507721191&rd=1
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