2. analog
  3. 152675-137250

Dream/upgrade list: rogue ares

Current tables/equipment:
Pioneer (silver) pl600 w/an audio technica cartridge 
Uturn orbit w/ortofon 2m blue
(2) schiit mani phono preamps

I listen to a lot of jazz (cool, hardbop, big band) and 70s rock (floyd, yes, eagles..orig lineup)

I have read reviews about the rogue (magnum), but at what point would my tables have to be upgraded to make proper use of the rogue? Multiple pieces, but I wasn't sure what the best upgrade path was. 

Right now, this is just planning. But I do love analog/albums and tube equipment 


glfrancis2
glfrancis2 OP
27 posts
 
Wow...I think this might have to stay on my dream list. Thank you for the detailed response 
agrippa
160 posts
 
I don't know the U-Turn, but in good shape (referring mainly to the condition of its springs) your PL-600 is an excellent turntable and worthy of a much better phono stage than the Schiit Mani.  In other words I see no need to give up on the Rogue Ares. 

However, as mulveling notes and for the same reason, I would certainly get the Ares Magnum rather than the vanilla edition.  Or, if your Audio-Technica is also an MM, you can always add a good step-up later on if you decide to try an MC cartridge.
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,917 posts
 
Yeah, just to reiterate - I would expect you to hear a nice difference with an Ares (or that quality of phono stage) in your current system. I didn’t mean to infer you must have that $6K rig before getting the Ares. Used deals do pop up, and it’s worth keeping an eye out. Used Ares can be had for $1K, which is a great deal.

Another nice tube stage I’ve liked in the past is the Hagerman Trumpet, though it’s MM only so will require an outboard SUT (and extra set of cables) to handle MC cartridges.
glfrancis2 OP
27 posts
 
I would like to upgrade the mm AT 120Eb cart in the pioneer. Too bright on some albums.
agrippa
160 posts
 
A good phono stage might well help with that too, as the AT-120Eb shouldn’t sound particularly bright.  Or it could be a set-up related issue.
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