Rouge Audio RP-7

I had the RP-5 for about 10 months and later traded it in on a PS Audio BHK Pre. Just some of my observations:

1. You had to (maybe it has changed since) to take entire back cover off to access tubes. The BHK has a small lid on top with two screws holding in place over tube area.

2. My copy had some noise /hiss issues. I even changed tubes...still there. Plus the screen went blank. Both fixed under warranty...a big pain to ship.

3. Sounded more SS than tube with stock JJ tubes. The BHK has a smoothness to the mids and highs with stock PSvanes. I switched to Gold Lions.

4. Nice remote

5. Mono button (I wish the BHK had one)

6. The RP-5 Includes a basic phono (I never tried) or you can switch it to a regular input

Overall, the fit and finish of the BHK is superior IMO and the sound is much more refined. Plus, later on I decided I wanted Balanced which the RP-7 DOES have.

The RP-5 was a fine unit, just the warranty issue, tube access, etc made it more frustrating. Most owners love the RP series Pre’s. Above was was just my experience. I wanted, at one time, wanted to try a Stereo 100 amp. I realize things do happen from time to time and Rogue has top notch customer service.

So they acknowledged that the noise/hiss wasn't normal and fixed it? How long have you had it before things started going wrong? Yeah...I had an assumption it'd sound more ss. Seems like hybrids are a little gimmicky...where there's this implication that you will be getting the best of both worlds.  

Yes. The hiss/noise was super loud from the start. I purchased a new pair of JJ tubes and the same thing. My amp at the time had super high gain (34 db) so I thought that I needed to lower the gain on the pre output side. I purchased a pair of Harrison labs Attenuators (12 DB I believe) and noise and hiss was still loud. Then, one day I turned the pre on and the display would not come on, but the button lights did work and the pre worked as well. I contacted Rogue who had me send it in. They replaced the display module and some time of input or output board. When it returned the noise was gone and the tube hiss was normal (I then purchased a Schiit passive pre) to lower the hiss until I got an amp with lower gain (Firstwatt J-2). After all that no issues. The Rogues are fine equipment and the company addressed everything with no hassle.