2. amps-preamps
  3. 958663127

preamps - vtl tl5.5/rogue 99/linn kairn

i currently use a linn kairn w/brilliant p/s & fono - great transparency/detail/clarity/pace, & convenience. considering toobs, & have narrowed it down to the vtl tl-5.5 & the rogue 99. both have optional internal fono, like the linn. i'm interested in the possibility of better soundstage depth, but don't wanna give up what the linn does well. speakers are meret re's, bi-amped w/a pair of electrocompaniet amps; lo-end is x-over'd at 60hz w/a marchand 24db/octave x-over, to a pair of bridged adcom gfa 555's driving vmps larger subs. any comments/suggestions? max budget is ~$2k (new *or* used). thanks
sedond
david99's avatar
david99
1,467 posts
 
I have a Rogue 99 with phono.I replaced the phono tubes with NOS 12AX7 Telefunkins and 12AU7 Radiotechniques.As far as the Audible Illusions3A sounding better than the Rogue 99 thats just plain silly.The 99 trounces the 3A in transparancy,layering,focus,detail and ESPECIALLY WARMTH.JEEZE!!! the 3A sounds cool and uninvolving(like solid state) The Rogue 66 is almost as good as the 3A and warmer also.The 99 trounces the 66 but its the big brother so you have to expect it.Audio Musings compared the baby brother 66 to the 3A and the 66 was prefered over the 3a in warmth,layering and enjoyment.The 3A had better detail(like S.S.) So figure it out your self.Read the Audio Musings review.Check out audioreview.com also.The reviewer rating for the 3A is around 4.4 or 4.6 I cant remember.The 99 is 5.0. The 99 kills the 3A PERIOD!!!!
telescope_trade
555 posts
 
Amen David 99!! I just brought this baby home for an in home audition, AWESOME!! It stays, Sonic Frontiers Line 2 goes. I cannot wait for a pro review on this piece, I think it has had the greatest impact of ANY of my changes, and thats a lot! Bloom, clarity, detail, you name it! For about 2k, it's a steal!
david99's avatar
david99
1,467 posts
 
good choice dude!! I found some BDR cones #4 under my 99 added more magic to this fine pre.
david99's avatar
david99
1,467 posts
 
BTW Stereophile recently reviewed the little brother 66 and gave it a solid Class B rating.Not bad for a $1200 pre!
sedond OP
1,391 posts
 
hi all,

phunny, i started this thread last may - was it really that long ago i started looking for a preamp? :>)

telescope_trade, the 1st tube pre i had in my system was the magnum wersion of the rogue 99 - it was too coloured & had poor bass response, even w/nos tubes, so away it went. while it had more depth than the linn, if i had to choose between the two, i'd have chosen the linn. it mighta been an impedence mismatch, tho. the cary slp98 i replaced it with was better in *all* areas, but especially in accuracy & bass-treble extension. also had a separate tape-loop & balance controls, which i found useful.

but, i found a melos music director that i've always wanted to try shortly after i bought the cary, so, knowing i could sell either the melos or the cary & not take a beating (the adwantage of buying used!), i tried out the melos. well, it's in a completely different league than either the cary or the rogue, & i'm *wery* happy w/it. still curious about that vtl tl-5.5 tho... ;~)

regards, doug

More to discover