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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
sedond OP
1,387 posts
 
bob, ya have to push the *record* button on the front of the rogue 99 in order for the record outputs on the back of the unit to work. try this, & it should work for ewe. as my subs are passive, i couldn't run them this way or they'd run full-range, thus the active x-over in my system.

trelja, i agree w/what yure saying, which is why i lost *no* money trying & selling two kairn preamps (one w/latest p/s), the rogue or the cary. i'm *wery* happy w/the melos, & have no intentions of selling it any time soon. comments on wanting to try the vtl 5.5 were more of a rhetorical nature - yust curious as to the sound of this unit. :>) i paid $1800 for my melos music director, spent $200 for additional upgrade caps - not bad considering it retailed for $4600. my musical tastes run the gamut from folk, latin, african, jazz, rock, classical, so i need a system that "does it all"! :>) the melos pre keeps all the clarity of the linn pre & the electrocompaniet amps, while adding that tube warmth, & substantially improving on dynamics and soundstage depth.

regards, doug

telescope_trade
555 posts
 
Sedond, I tried the button on front and the sub is running full range also, and independent of the pre amps volume. I guess it is just not going to work unless Rogue can do some custom work. Seems that they would have an additional set of outputs to accomadate a sub. Thanks, Bob
david99
1,467 posts
 
Gary-yes the review was confusing.Sorry,I can be impulsive with what I say here.We both have great pre-amps.When I heard the A-1 it wasnt the best set up.The 99 may have sounded dark too in that system.Best to you also.... :)
sedond OP
1,387 posts
 
bob, sorry, yer right - i thought your sub would have a volume control or a built-in filter. ewe can buy a short two-into-one interconnect or solid brass two-into-one plug for the main out. (or, is that one into two?) ;~) or, ewe can send it to rogue to have 'em add a second set of main outs. i had 'em do this to mine when they upgraded it to *magnum* status. but, i wooda yust added the brass twe-into-one plugs if it weren't going to them for the upgrade.

regards, doug

trelja
3,223 posts
 
Sedond, I think your Melos is an excellent preamp. Better than the VTL, Rogue, and Linn. Others you may want to try are Air Tight, Blue Circle, upper level CJ, Hovland(I have not heard this one), and Jadis. There are surely more, but that's all I can think of off the top of my head(that I have heard).
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