Rogue 99 pre vs. BAT vk30


Just curious what you guys thought about this comparo. I'd be using a Cary v12 amp and Maggie 1.6 speakers. Would it really matter that the bat has balanced?(cary amp does too) I love tube warmth and widest, deepest soundstage possible (even if it's inaccurate). So, which would you buy? Thanks
bencausey
Bizango1.
You are partially correct about the noise of the volume control in the Magnum 99.however the noise is strictly coming from the servo motor controlling the volume pot and IS NOT coming through to the speakers,at least not in my system.I can hear the motor noise when adjusting the volume with the remote control and I am seating about 8 feet away from my system head on,but when the volume is higher it's hardly noticeable.
Rogue makes great gear and the magnum 99 is an exceptional pre in my opinion.
George
George, I wish the volume control sound was only coming from the servo. The one I demoed buzzed through the speakers at my home and in the store later and the dealer said that was normal. Maybe it was a bad pot AND a bad dealer. I was using Rotel's RB-1090 amp which put out 700 WPC into my 4 ohm speakers and that may have exacerbated the problem. The zippy sound got louder and louder as the volume increased when I turned it up before starting a song. If it hadn't been for that I would've bought it for sure because I thought it sounded fantastic. The same dealer told me my amp didn't sound good although he admitted he had never heard one himself. One of those types of dealers if you know what I mean.
Can't speak to the Rogue, but previously owned the BAT VK30 and was disappointed with the sound (grainy and mechanical sounding), however the build quality and appearance of BAT gear is top shelf. I highly recommend the Aesthetix Calypso with NOS tubes... the best preamp I have ever owned, and quite reasonable used.
I had Rogue 99 magnum with Linn amp, and currently have BAT vk30 with vk60 and vk200. Both with Tyler Linbrook Systems speakers.
It was supposed to be an upgrade but not as much difference I expected, andI somehow miss Rogue. Its onboard phono was super. Better than vk30 onboard phono, to my ears.
But, Rogue had a bit of microphonic problem. Also, BAT's remote ($500 extra) is much better. Sound wise, Linn/Rogue sound warmer than vk30/vk200 which sound a bit like solid state. vk30/vk60 sound very tube like and excellent midrange, but lacks power and base compared to vk200.

Being able to roll tubes on Rogue was nice. It might have been more interesting if I had matched the Rogue with Rougue amp (M150?).
Personally, I don't think you would go wrong in either direction.