Rogue Audio RH-5 Headphone Amplifier

Tubes Where They Matter, Muscle Where It Counts

The Rogue Audio RH-5 is a hybrid headphone amplifier and preamp. Two 12AU7 tubes in a mu-follower circuit handle the voltage gain. High-current MOSFET buffers drive the output. The tubes give the music body and texture. The transistors give it 3.5 watts into 32 ohms.

That power, with an output impedance under 0.1 ohm, drives hard loads that stall smaller amps. Three gain settings of 3, 12 and 16 dB match in-ears, dynamic headphones and power-hungry planars. A 185-step volume control sets level in fine increments.

Headphones connect four ways: a 4-pin XLR, a pair of 3-pin XLRs, or either of two 1/4-inch jacks. Two pairs can play at once. Three RCA inputs and one balanced XLR input take your sources.

A Preamp That Runs the Whole System

Balanced XLR and RCA preamp outputs let the RH-5 drive a power amplifier or powered speakers. One volume knob and one remote can run your headphone and speaker systems together. That is the RP-X preamp platform Rogue builds its full-size preamps on, brought to the headphone world.

An OLED display shows input, gain and volume, and can be dimmed or turned off. A slow-start sequence protects the tubes at power-up. The faceplate and knobs are machined aluminum. Every RH-5 is hand-built, tested and burned in at Rogue's shop in Pennsylvania.

It measures 15 inches wide, 13.5 deep and 4 tall, and weighs 19 pounds. This version has no phono stage. A phono-equipped RH-5 is sold separately for turntable owners who want one.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Herb Reichert reviewed the RH-5 for Stereophile on October 26, 2017, and the magazine named it a Class A Recommended Component. He wrote that it "made every note sound tonally unique" and called it "an important new high-value product."

S. Andrea Sundaram of SoundStage! Solo praised its "full bass, warm midrange, and expansive images" on November 1, 2019. Dave Hanson of Enjoy the Music, in September 2017, singled it out for classical listeners with the Sennheiser HD800.

Who Is This Amplifier Best For?

• You own hard-to-drive planar headphones — 3.5 watts into 32 ohms and three gain settings handle the most demanding loads
• You want tube character with solid-state control — 12AU7 tubes shape the sound, MOSFET buffers deliver the current
• You want one volume control for headphones and speakers — balanced and RCA preamp outputs run a power amp or powered monitors
• You want balanced headphone outputs — a 4-pin XLR and dual 3-pin XLRs sit beside two 1/4-inch jacks
• You need a DAC built in — the RH-5 is analog only, so pair it with one from our digital-to-analog converters

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect a DAC, CD player or streamer to one of the three RCA inputs, or a balanced source to the XLR input. Plug headphones into the 4-pin XLR, the dual 3-pin XLRs or a 1/4-inch jack, and choose the gain that matches them.

To run speakers, connect the XLR or RCA preamp outputs to a power amplifier or powered speakers. Let the tubes warm for a few minutes, and leave room above the chassis for ventilation.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the Rogue RH-5:

• Headphones: Planars and high-impedance dynamics both thrive here — see our Headphones
• DAC: A balanced DAC on the XLR input keeps the chain balanced — see our Digital-to-Analog Converters
• Power Amplifier: Drive one from the preamp outputs — see our Stereo Amplifiers
• Interconnects: XLR or RCA, in and out — see our Interconnect Cables

Frequently Asked Questions

How much power does it have?

3.5 watts per channel into 32 ohms, with output impedance under 0.1 ohm. That drives even low-sensitivity planar headphones with ease.

What tubes does it use?

Two 12AU7 tubes, which can also be swapped for ECC82 equivalents. Rogue covers the stock tubes for six months.

Can I use it as a preamp?

Yes. Balanced XLR and RCA preamp outputs with full volume control drive a power amplifier or powered speakers.

Does it have a phono stage?

Not this version. Rogue offers the RH-5 with a built-in phono stage as a separate model.

Can two people listen at once?

Yes. The RH-5 can drive two pairs of headphones at the same time.

What's the warranty?

Rogue Audio covers the RH-5 with a three-year limited warranty on parts and labor, and six months on the tubes.

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Learn More

Want to learn more about tube hybrid amplifiers, balanced headphones, or building a system around a headphone amp? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.