Has anyone compared Rogue RP-7 to Cary SLP05 and / or Audio Research Ref 5se?

This thread has piqued my curiosity.

So for those "in the know", how does the SLP05 measure up with, say, an ARC Reference line stage, say the Ref 3 or Ref 5 SE, or even the older Ref 2 mk II?

Lots of ARC Reference preamps available on the used market, they come up for sale all the time, presumably to their popularity, and to the ever constant stream of new ARC models.  Used they are more reasonable cost wise, of course.

The Cary not so much availability.

My feeling… just on Audio Research is that the Reference 1 and 2 had some growing pains that finally got purged with the REF 3… since then each model like 3 then 3se… stepped forward with great certainty and has continued to push the envelope ever since. I have owned at least one ARC preamp and/or Phonostage for nearly 40 years… and most recently moved to all ARC REF components… why did I wait? Oh, yes… I couldn’t afford them. Used… highly recommended.

The Cary SLP05 is an extremely good preamp.My brother owned one.The mid model and above Suprateks [say Sauvignion 6SN7] are better however and about half the price.The Suprateks sound a bit similar but just a bit better in every area but especially more 3D.Which is not to say the Cary is not good in that area and is certainly a lot better than the vast majority of preamps.The Suprateks just have more of the more special!

Pull the trigger on an SLP-05.  Now what tubes do I need to roll? 

Congratulations @testrun.

Charles