Rogue RP-1 Stereo Tube Preamp $1800
(3.2h, 15.25w, 14.5d, 17 lbs, Black or Silver)
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.audioemporium.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/RP-1-Black-Medum.jpg?resize=1024%2C263&ssl=1)
Rogue Audio of Pennsylvania has made warm sounding tube electronics since 1996. Founder Mark O’Brien has especially been known for offering affordable gear- to go along with some big guns too.
Imagine that- cost effective, fine sounding gear made in the USA. This could be the “secret” to Rogue’s success!
RP-1 is Rogue’s entry level preamp. RP-1 is a great choice if you want to impart some tube flavor into your system for less than crazy money. RP-1 has that lush sound with great depth of field that tube lovers want.
I, for one, think RP-1 with a GREAT power amp like NAD’s C-298, is about as good a value as you can get in high end audio.
RP-1 is built on the same RPX platform as its bigger brothers, that run $3500, $5000 and $7500. RP-1 has most of the sonic attributes of its bigger brothers- sans a few features.
Inputs:
- Phono (MM&MC)
- 4 High Level Inputs (RCAs)
- HT Pass Through
Outputs:
Two sets RCAs
One Variable (Connect two amps, or perhaps an amp and a powered sub)
One FIXED
- Dedicated high end, discrete headphone amp with 1/4” jack
Also:
- RP-1 comes with a remote (not every preamp does)
- RP-1 uses a high quality toroidal transformer to be quiet.
- RP-1 uses gold plated jacks
- RP-1 uses two AU-12 low noise tubes
- RP-1 operates with slow turn on to avoid belching into the power amp
- RP-1 has a detachable power cord in case the upgrade bug bites
- RP-1’s face plate is high quality machined aluminum
- RP-1 has an easy to read OLED display
- RP-1’s display can be turned off if you like
Balance Control
RP-1 also has a precise tracking BALANCE CONTROL. Mark knows that not all audiophiles can sit dead center between the speakers. It’s her house too. Hence RP-1 has a balance control on its face that you can use manually, AND it has channel balance adjustments on the remote.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.audioemporium.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/RP-1-REAR4WEB2.jpg?resize=644%2C185&ssl=1)