Rouge Audio RP-7

The RP-5 was the best sounding between the others I owned- the RH-5 and the RP-7.  

The RH-5 Headphone / Linestage was the best value with balanced connections and had the best dynamics and was exceedingly transparent and neutral.  

The RP-7 was actually less dynamic sounding then the RH-5 (Rogue's latest model) and a little too smooth / burnished for my system.  

The RP-5 was in between, sounding nearly a perfect balance between transparent neutral and overly smooth.  The sound was open, transparent yet had a slight tubey burnish / polish that was easy on the ears and ultra refined.  

That said I prefer the sound of my Cary SLP-05 which is my end game preamp.  

Did you mean Rogue Audio or Rouge Audio?

Here's a link to Rouge Audio.

DeKay

The RH-5 and RP-5 seem like great value. I think I looked over the RH-5 because I don’t use headphones. I actually may have lucked out. There may be a dealer within 30 miles of me that sell both Rogue and Audio Research. Going to call on Tuesday. @dekay I meant Rogue. I think rouge popped up becaue I live close to a river named Rouge and my phone trys to guess what I’m saying. I tried to edit it but the forum wouldn’t let me. :)

I just assumed the sound signature of the rp5 and rp7 would be extremely similar just your paying for balanced connections.  

I wish there was a audio business that lent audio gear the same way home depot rents tools. 

emac:

I was kidding you, but this guy does have some great/informational vids (and his rouge usage reminds me of my Scotts Irish Grandma Nellie in her latter years).

DeKay

@aberyclark The ARC Ref 6SE has a greater sense of depth and layering and can drive amps much more powerfully. The SE upgrade also brings a stunning new level of clarity that I’d never heard before. The BHK gives only a hint at the ARCs presentation due to it’s tube front end. I believe the SS output stage holds it back ultimately and it sounds flat in comparison, more like the Pass XP-22.