Quote:
Originally Posted by mulveling
Definitely explore tube rolling options; all the Rogue gear I've had -- past and present -- responds brilliantly to good swaps. The warm vintage stuff like Mullards and RCAs will likely be an improvement over any new production tubes, but Rogue gear tends to *really* take off with higher clarity/resolution/dynamics tubes like Telefunken and especially Mazda (especially chrome plate 12AX7 for those slots - WOW). Also, the 12BH7 is a great swap for the 12AU7, but ask Rogue first, as this tube draws twice the heater current (they've cleared it for my Apollos and Ares).
They're shipping RCA clear-top 12AU7 with their higher-line gear (e.g. Apollo Dark), which might be in your RP-7. A fine tube, BUT there's always a nicer 12BH7 out there, in my experience (tougher to find a quiet 12BH7, though). There's also a French chrome plate 12AU7 that's worth a shot.
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These are some great tips - thanks! One of the appealing things about a tubed preamp for me is it will let me tweak the sound from time to time without having to spend an exorbitant amount of money.
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Primary System (Always in flux):
Analog Source: Rega RP10
Phono Preamp: Bryston BP2/PS3
Digital Software: Roon, Tidal Streaming
Digital Music Server: Melco N1A/2
Digital Sources: Totaldac d1-twelve SE MkII (factory upgraded from MKI) with "live power" 4 output power supply, Oppo UDP-205
Preamplifier: Rogue Audio RP-9 (factory upgraded from RP-7)
Amplifier: Vandersteen M5-HPA
Speakers: Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT w/IsoAcoustics Gaia 1 feet
Cabling: WW Platinum Starlight 7 digital wires, Totaldac Gigafilter USB filter, AQ Sky XLR, AQ Fire RCA
Speaker Cables: AudioQuest Oak spades ---> bi-wire spades
Power Cables: Esprit PC (for DAC), 2 WW Platinum Electra PC (Preamp/Phono Preamp), AQ NRG10 (Melco N1A/2), AQ Blizzard (Quatro Wood CT built-in subs)
Power Conditioning: 2 AQ Niagara 1000, 3 Oyaide R1 outlets
Sound Treatments: 23 ASC Tube Traps and 10 Panels
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