Tube Preamp shoot-out

Have you looked into the Rogue 99? Do some research on this preamp before you decide.

Based on my limited listening to these three, I would strongly consider the BAT. That decision is based on my strong dislike for ANY grain in the high frequencies. Things may have changed since I heard each of these, and I never got to try any of these (except the ARC) with tube substitutions.

By the way David99, I have not heard the Rogue against these, so I cannot compare.

I recently sold my 5i. It only has balanced inputs and outputs which means you'll probably have to buy some XLR/RCA adapters to incorporate it into an HT setup.

I think different people mean different things when they talk about an HT pass-through. I think of it as a pair of preamp inputs for which you can preset the output volume level (as is found on the BAT VK-30SE). Volume for the HT system is then controled by the pre/pro. I've also heard of pass-throughs for which the preamp is essentially a conduit for the signal. The preamp does not boost the signal in any way, and the volume is entirely controled by the pre/pro that is upstream of it. By either definition, the 5i does not have an HT pass-through. However, it can still be incorporated into an HT system the same way any stereo preamp can--you just have to memorize and manually set the volume level each time to keep the volume of the mains proportionally balanced with the other speakers. But I wouldn't call the latter option an HT pass-through.

I have no experience with the other preamps to be able to compare them.