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Tube Preamp W/Phono Stage Suggestions...

Looking for a little guidance on selecting a tube preamp. I currently have a Decware CSP3 which is a very nice sounding preamp. The CSP3 is a line stage/headphone preamp which is very open and articulate, fairly neutral with great soundstage and separation, and is very quiet.

In a replacement preamp, I'm looking for the same attributes but something with a good built in MM phono stage and at least two additional inputs, balanced or unbalanced. A touch on the warm side would be okay. Doesn't have to have all (or any) bells and whistles.

Looking for new/used below the price of 3K. I've been looking at units such as the Audible Illusions M3B, Modwright LS-100 w/phono board, Atma-Sphere MP-3 Mk3.2, and the Rogue Audio RP-5.

Looking to get the best bang for my buck in sound quality, so any input/personal experience on what I've listed, or any new suggestions would be appreciated. Will be running through a Yamaha B-1 amp and NS-2000 speakers
elrod
jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
990 posts
 
I really like my Rogue Audio RP-1. I think the 1 and 5 are both based on their RP-X platform. It help take the edge off my old Rotel class D amp and create some space. I called them up prior to purchase and they answered the phone and answered my questions enthusiastically.  I think the RP-X is what all their new stuff will be based on.

There are reviews about the RP-5 that talk more detail about the phono stage. It appears they did put some effort into it.

Not having an on/off remote is annoying. The remote also has a cheap feel to it but has survived my repeatedly dropping it onto a hardwood floor. :(


elrod OP
245 posts
 
@atmasphere, no just unbalanced
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,841 posts
 
@elrod, OK-  just so you know, although the MP-3 is a fully balanced preamp, it can be operated with a single-ended output. We usually have to set it up to do that, since balanced and single-ended are basically incompatible. We set it up with a switch so either RCAs or XLRs can be used.

Your phono is of course a balanced source, so the MP-3 can take advantage of that while still having the single ended output.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,405 posts
 

I have a Rogue Audio RP-5 tube preamp.  The phono stage is excellent and has many internal adjustments for various mm and mc cartridges.  Previously I had an AI Modulus 3B tube preamp and the phono stage was also excellent.  The Audible Illusions has the click type volume controls (2 of them) and I could never get the listening level I wanted, it was either too low or too loud.  In addition, because the AI has a lot of gain, I could only use the first quarter of the volume control.  That was my main reason for going with the Rogue, plus the Rogue also has remote control which the AI does not.

I would say the phono sections in both preamps are pretty equal but the Rogue does offer many adjustments for the phono section to tailor it to your cartridge.

jerroot
104 posts
 
Elrod-
I've been running a Rogue Audio Magnum 99 with their onboard tubed phono stage for about six years now and I love it. Early on I rolled the stock tubes out to NOS Sylvania 6SN7s in the line and RCA Clear Top 12AU7s in the phono.  While perhaps not whisper quiet, it's plenty quiet enough (I have to be much less than a foot away to hear anything) and it plays, IMO, well along the lines of what you said were your preferences. In the last few years I've auditioned three phono preamps in the $2000-25000 range and not kept any of them, ultimately preferring the sound of what I gotten to with the onboard. New with stock tubes should come in at your budget, but you should be able to find one used well under your budget with room to spare for rolling out the stock tubes. I've not heard the RP-5 to make a comparison, but if you were to call the super helpful folks at Rogue I'm sure they can give you their opinion on the two relative to each other. Happy hunting.
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