Rouge Audio RP-7

I bought a RP 7 new in 2019 and loved it. I concur with the positive comments written above. I rolled the tubes which is super in-expensive as you can roll two of the four and get 80% of the change with just two of the four tubes. This allows you to buy two pairs of NOS tubes and put the sound you prefer in the front position and relegate the second choice to the back, in the mix but not dominate. 

The RP 7 is VERY quiet and was a great mix of SS and tube sound. It's a great way to move into the tube component world. I sold the RP 7 and bought a used ARC REF 10 dual box monster. The REF 10 is a very impressive unit, but it seems they worked to make it less tube sounding and they accomplished that. It sounded almost SS. I currently run a Modwright LS 300 line stage which I like very much. I would summarize that the RP7 has nothing to be ashamed about being compared to these more expensive preamps. The RP 7 is reliable, musical, and QUIET. They have an even rich tone, bottom to top. They are resolving, but the more expensive preamps edge it out in the area of resolution. I believe that's where the RP9 comes into play. I doubt few of us would not like the RP 7 if it was dropped into our system. 

@upnorthsound glad you brought up your experience. I've been trying to wrap my head around everything you brought up for almost a week. I feel like this stuff is like learning to ride a bike or learning to play euchre. One day it will all click. 

If you order a RP-7 you can request an aluminum remote for a small upcharge. 

I've had 3 different Rogue preamps over the years; a sixty six, an Rp-1, and currently an RP-7. The sixty six sounded like a tube preamp but the phono stage was pretty poor. The RP-1 was a moderate step up but the sound got kore solid state. I can't comment on the phono stage because I used an external one. I wanted more of that tube sound back so I put a couple NOS brimar tubes and while it did warm up a but it seemed quite noisy. I sold it and upgraded to the RP-7. I agree that having to take the whole cover off is a pain for switching out tubes. But this am is not just an RP-5 with balances in and outs. It's a different design and man, it is dead quiet. Again, these hybrid amps tend to sound fairly solid state with the stock tubes but I'm currently running some bugle boys in the front and Mazdas back it's it's opened up a fair bit. I have the metal remote which is very nice. Mark and nick at rogue have aways been great. I had my old M120s upgraded to 180s and wow, big difference. 

Having said all that, I'm thinking about a change. I reached out to a couple dealers about an ARC. Inhave vandersteen speakers and ARC/vandersteen is such a classic pairing. Gonna be a minute before I can make that happen though. The Rogue, in my opinion, punches way out of its price range and while it deserves to be in the conversation with he big boys like ARC or VAC it's probably going to lose but do so at half the price. 

The top end Primaluna Pre looks interesting. Especially the ability to select gain which is great if one has efficient speakers and switches amps often