Preamp ugrade...help please
okemomagic -- Mon, 08/04/2008 - 12:35
I'd like to upgrade the preamp on my "secondary system." The system currently consists of the following components: Rega Apollo Cd Player, Vincent SP-331 Power Amp, Bang & Olufsen Beovox M-100 Loudspeakers, Panamax Max 5100 Line Conditioner, Tara Labs Interconnects (mostly Ref Gen II), and an old Carver preamp (circa early 80's). I'd like to upgrade the preamp. I'm thinking of either the Rotel RC-1082, or the Rogue Audio Metis. Are either of these a "good fit" for the rest of the system? Which, if either is recommended? Any other suggestions (at this price point)? Thanks!
Both of your candiates are excellent choices.
The Rotel (TAS' 2007 Preamplifier of the Year) will be quieter, have greater resolution, and better performance at the frequency extremes. The Rogue Metis, however, is an excellent preamp as well, with a wonderful harmonic richness in the midrange that comes so naturally to tubes.
Either would be a nice upgrade to your system. Which one you choose depends on your listening tastes.
Perhaps others on the staff with experience with these units will weigh-in.
Robert Harley
Okemomagic,
I'm familiar with most of the components in your current system, and have had the opportunity to hear and review both the preamps you are considering. Both are excellent options.
As Robert mentioned, the Rogue Metis offers pleasing harmonic richness through the midrange. I would hasten to add, though, that its excellence is not limited to the midrange (as is sometimes the case with other affordable tube components). Instead, what I think makes the Metis special is the fact that its overall liveliness, definition, and harmonic richness extend to both frequency extremes. To my mind, this almost solid-state-like virtue is what sets the Metis apart from like-priced, tube-powered competition.
I also agree with Robert's comment that the Rotel is (a bit) quieter and offers greater resolution and absolute performance at the frequency extremes vis-a-vis the Metis. But what makes the Rotel special is that it offers purer, richer, more vibrant tonal colors than most affordable solid-state preamps possess--tonal colors that give the RC-1082 something of the flavor of a tube preamp.
In a sense, you could think of the Rogue Metis as a tube preamp with some solid-state-like virtues, and the Rotel RC-1082 as a solid-state preamp with some tube-like virtues--making the products seem almost like "mirror images" of one another.
You'll have to make the final decision based on listening tastes/preferences, but for what it's worth I found there to be a particularly nice synergy between the RC-1082 and the Vincent SP-331 (purely by luck, I had a chance to audition the components together when I had them in for review). My sense was that the sonic virtues of the two components fit together like a hand in a glove. One way to look at this is that the virtues of the Rogue Metis are somewhat like those of the Vincent SP-331 (i.e., in terms of sonic character they are to a degree "two of a kind"), whereas the strengths of the Rotel and Vincent are different, yet highly complementary. And therein lies the magic...
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
I want to thank each of you, Robert & Chris, for your responses...they have been extremely helpful. If it is not too much trouble, can either or both of you "weigh in" on the other inquiry that I posted? Thanks again, Andrew
OKEMOMAGIC
Which inquiry is that?
Robert, you already sent a reply...I had a question about phono preamps, and you recommended the Sutherland Ph3D...Thanks!
OKEMOMAGIC
Hello, I need help in choosing a bookshelf speakers for under a $1000.00 for my Vincent SA-31 preamp and Vincent SP-331. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Marc
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