2. amps-preamps
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What preamp would you mate to your Rogue M180's?

Any opinions? Currently itching to try a new tubed preamp. Had a McIntosh C2300 with good tubes, but it was a little flat. My McCormack ALD-1 Platinum sounds outstanding, but I would like to try another tubed pre. Others I have had in the system: EE Minimax w/NOS tubes (a little rounded off); ARC LS26 (but not with the Rogue; it did sound outstanding).

Any good mates with the Rouge? I know they make some outstanding high-end preamps, but they are impossible to find for a demo locally.
dawgcatching
daverz
487 posts
 
I'm very happy with the BAT 3iX/Rogue M-180 combination. The BAT has survived several bouts of upgraditis. I do wish it had the nicer interface of the more expensive BAT preamps. I'm currently using all EH tubes in the 3iX.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
ARC has a very clean sound the proverbial wire with (plenty of) gain. I v found BAT has a similar sound but if you like ARC why not stick with it?
I personally love the rich/full highly 3D sound of 6SN7s and found Cary to be my cup of tea. If you want to get a sense of what the Cary sound is like on the cheap, see if you can get an AES AE3 most any version. Roll the 6SN7s to older NOS or OS tubes to get the best sound.
reynolds853
388 posts
 
I have a Rogue 99Magnum preamp driving M180s and sounds fine. I like the variable gain feature on the preamp too.
sgunther
187 posts
 
My response is a little late. I have used the Aesthetix Calypso with nos tubes with the M180 for two years and have really enjoyed them. No desire to change.
hicham
39 posts
 
I'm intending to use the Bryston BP26 Preamp.
What do you think of this solid state / valve combination? Joseph
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