Preamps: Rogue v. VTL v. Blue Circle

I've owned a Rogue 66, a 66 Magnum and then jumped right up to the Magnum 99. The 66 is a great value if you are looking at a tube preamp in and around the $750 pricepoint but the Magnum 99 is an all together different animal and used its within your budget. Build quality is substantial over the 66 and sonically its a quantum leap ahead with wonderful air around the instruments and detail extraction at par with some of the best SS preamps I've heard. Your other 2 choices would probably offer their own sonic merits but as I've not heard either I'm sorry I can't compare them. As usual system synergy plays a part in this game we play here and maybe your amp will have the most effect on your choice...

I think Devon may be on to something with his suggestion of going with a used Galatea instead of the BC21.1.

The BC21.1 is a replacement of the BC21 which I own. The main differences are the use of two 6922 tubes instead of the two 6SN7s in the BC21, but that was necessitated by the lack of quality 6SN7 tubes. The other difference is the addition of the Shallco attenuator.

A used Galatea mkI also has an improved external power supply which should give it an edge over the BC21.1.

I like a tubey sound in my preamp so I'm contemplating having my BC21 outfitted with the BC21.1 improvements and incorporating an external power supply as well.

Recently, I've been comparing several different "best value" preamps and one that may fit your sonic criteria is the BAT VK3i. It has a very expanded soundstage and a slightly tubey nature unlike the rounder sounding BC21. It's a large piece of gear and accepts only balanced connections, so I'm not sure if this is something that will work for you.

Good luck!

There is currently a BC3 Despina on auction, here on Audiogon. Believe me when I say that you will be very hard pressed to find a better tube preamp for under $2000. They are an absolute steal on the used market.

The Galatea(same preamp with better power supply), is superior, but the Despina is almost as good.

I'll throw in for the 2.5 VTL (paid $1,300 w/phono). Haven't had a BC in my system, but I haven't had any reliability issues with the 2.5. I swapped out the stock 12au7 tubes with some NOS RCAs, and I've been happy with the results. I'm currently running this into a Rogue 88 (non-magnum). Very happy with the results.

I have a VTL 5.5 that is absolutely wonderful and seems to meet your qualifications like it was made for them. Bass could be fuller in my system but is it the room, do i need more amp? you know the drill there. Very open sounding preamp and in combo with VTL monos it is the least tuby tube set up i've heard next to ARC while still having the body and killer mids that tubes are known for..i.e. warm but not mushy. i've seen more than a few of them here for around $2k. I've had mine for about 4 yrs now. No problems and it still has original tubes in it.