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Rogue RP 1 or Super Magnum 99

I currently have a Rogue Super Magnum 99 that I use with a Rogue Medusa amp. I am thinking about getting the RP 1 pre because it has a balance control, a better and more conveniently located headphone jack, a good phono section, and is a more modern design with a great display and full function remote. Also, I do not really need the external power supply on the 99 which is hard to place. The RP 5 pre has too many bells and whistles that I will never use. I have no problems with the 99 and really enjoy it. So the question is, would this constitute a move down or be an improvement? I think most people use the 99 with one of the big traditional tube amps like the 100 and possibly the RP 1 has more synergy with the Medusa. The stark simplicity of the RP attracts me. Possibly I am just succumbing to the urge for something new. Any advice from you experts out there is greatly appreciated. 
rtorchia
rtorchia's avatar
rtorchia OP
138 posts
 
After much deliberation I ordered an RP 1. The RP 5 is great but has a lot of features I will never use. Word on the street is that the 1 gets about 85-90% the sound of the other. Both are very well matched to the hybrid Medusa. I could have gone for the less powerful Hydra amp but as a fan of classical music the extra power comes in handy. The RP 1 has everything I need and the price is very reasonable for such quality and performance. The 99 Magnum was wonderful but I am tired of the need to have it warm up and all those inconveniences--the more modern design of the RP series is attractive to me and keeps things nice and simple, sort of plug and play. The "lushness" of tube units strikes me as very pleasing distortion but distortion nonetheless. Thanks all and will report in on the sound factor after listening a while. 
rtorchia's avatar
rtorchia OP
138 posts
 
The RP 1 is really amazing. I listen to mostly classical music and the lower notes are really crisp and tight. On many of the period instrument performances one gets a real sense of the often scrappy sounds they make that I never heard before. The sound seems very direct and straightforward. Vocal music is remarkably direct. The 99 indeed had a very rich, smooth, warm plush sound. Once when I was talking to a noted dealer and mentioned how much I like tube components. He responded, "OK, so you like distortion." So I miss the 99 a little but love the direct and what I guess some would call the "more modern" sound of the RP 1. It is very tempting to keep the 99 and switch back and forth to have the best of both worlds. Probably for long listening sessions I would like the 99 but that is not an issue. Thanks for all the advice. 
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Glad you like it. Let the tube rolling begin.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,571 posts
 
If you want some of that tube magic back, pick up 4 Mullard NOS 12au7.  Get the ones made in India, they are the same as the British ones only cheaper.  I paid 60.00 each for them when I had the RP-5 and it transformed the preamp.
rtorchia's avatar
rtorchia OP
138 posts
 
Mine has Amperex tubes and I guess I should see what Rogue recommends. There are some Mullard "reissues" out there that are made in Russia; good? I will follow your advice and get a pair as this only takes two tubes. I am getting some noticeable speaker hiss from the preamp and the gain is very different as I have to get the volume pretty high for what I consider normal listening.  
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