Rogue RP-5 v2 Tube Preamp, $4000
(4.5h, 18.5w, 14.5d, 30 lbs.)
Rogue has just enhanced its RP-5 preamp to RP-5v2. RP-5 was always smooth and warm- great characteristics, of course. RP-5v2 is, nonetheless, a dramatic upgrade! I’m happily shocked at the level of improvement.
RP-5v2 transmutes a distinctly improved level of TRANSPARENCY to the party that its predecessor didn’t have!
RP-5v2 will compete head to head with the priciest Macs, ARCs or VTLs at half their pricing or less. You can absolutely, positively, throw RP-5v2 into the deep end with those players and keep thousands in your wallet.
An especially auspicious pairing is when you mate RP-5v2 with Rogue’s own Dragon power amp. At $8k you have enormous power, serenity and resolution to challenge the state of the art. This combo has transient speed and delineation that isn’t masked by the endemic nature of valves.
If you’re looking for a tube preamp, with the golden hue that valve technology can deliver, Rogue’s RP-5 v2 is a star. It employs four 12AU7 tubes and large supply caps. RP-5v2 does voices and instruments with the lush flavor tube lovers demand. It will make vocals bigger and rounder than what you’ve been listening to.
Listening to RP-5v2 is like watching a video image with warm color, instead of a sterile presentation. The bass has a bit of a bloom instead of being dry. If your system has an edge to it, consider RP-5v2 to soften the bite.
It has volume steps in .5dB increments, so you can land exactly where you want. Channel tracking is spot on, yet it has a balance control too. In addition, you’ll love RP-5v2 with your headphones due to a dedicated headphone amp.
It has phono for MM & MC. RP-5v2’s phono stage is a big step up from its predecessor. It is ideal for the low output MC you should run with a preamp of this caliber.
It has two variable outs and one fixed out. You can run a power amp or two, or an amp and a sub. It’s single ended all the way. Rogue is made in the USA with TLC and it SOUNDS like it!
I’m delighted with RP-5v2 on its own. You can run it with virtually any power amp. But please consider mating it with Rogue’s Dragon to hear the vision of designer Mark O’Brien.
