Pre Amp Question. Old or New?

@rsa777: Look at the Schiit Freya+ F tube preamp $1249 with tubs. 

Mike

Pairing the Rogue with another Rogue product should be a solid move. 
 

Looking at the previous posts, I’m unsure what the point of a “tube” preamp with a neutral sound would be. There are a plethora of solid state preamps with a “neutral” sound. 
 

Go with the lush tube sound. If it pains your ears, grab one of the million solid state “neutral” preamps for sale. 

By far the bedt quality performance built 

Is Linear Tube Audio now New Version 3 

Not 1 company even at $10k+ have all brand name 

Premium parts throughout, and yes absoletely it matters 

Its under the hood that counts most

I have 40 years into Audio and go to many Audio get togethers 

Compare yourself  David Berning, Mark

And enginners put a Lot of time and testing into 

Thier latest effort, and s 3year transferrable warranty

And 30 day return policy , no one else does that !!

Personally I’d take either this LTA MZ3 or Backert Rhumba 1.3 over the RP-5 just for a couple alternatives and suspect either would perform more inline with the RP-7.  Best of luck. 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650198006-linear-tube-audio-mz3/

https://tmraudio.com/components/preamplifiers/backert-labs-rhumba-1-3-stereo-tube-preamplifier-1/

Different models than you are asking about, but I had a Rogue RP-1 into a Rogue Stereo 100.  I then bought an ARC LS7 preamp.  I thought it sounded much better, more detailed than the RP-1.  My experience is similar to what the AI answer from @ghdprentice  was above.  Then I bought a LTA Microzotl preamp (level 2), which was a large upgrade from either of the other two preamps.  Much bigger soundstage, detailed, beautiful.  I have had the LTA for 2+ years and think I will keep it forever, though I may upgrade it to the new level 3.