Rogue Audio RP-5 v2 Preamplifier

The Vinyl Lover's Rogue

Every Rogue preamp is hand-built in Pennsylvania, but the RP-5 v2 has a specialty: vinyl. Its phono stage is derived from Rogue's Triton II, a respected standalone phono preamplifier, with selectable gain of 40, 50, 55, or 60dB, user-adjustable cartridge loading, and RIAA accuracy within 0.1dB. Moving magnet or moving coil, common cartridges or exotic ones, the RP-5 v2 meets them on their own terms.

The line stage runs four 12AU7 tubes in Rogue's mu-follower circuit, with frequency response from 1Hz to 100kHz within 1dB and a 27-volt maximum output that will drive any power amplifier. The v2 revision brought real upgrades: a refined volume control stepping in 0.5dB increments with a lower noise floor, a quieter and higher-gain phono stage, and a headphone circuit borrowing technology from Rogue's RH-5 headphone amplifier.

Five input pairs, two variable output pairs, and a fixed pair handle a full system on gold-plated RCA jacks, with a processor loop and unity-gain home theater bypass for movie nights.

Trickle-Down From the Top of the Line

Rogue's approach with the v2 was simple: take what the flagship RP-9 and RH-5 taught them and pass it down. The OLED display shows volume, balance, and source from across the room, defeatable for dark-room listening. A ten-function remote covers volume, balance, mute, and mono.

Build follows Rogue tradition: 30 pounds of machined aluminum in black or silver, hand assembly in the USA, and a 3-year limited warranty (6 months on tubes).

What Reviewers Are Saying

Jim Clements of Home Theater HiFi, in a January 24, 2024 review of the RP-5 v2, noted its "several significant upgrades, many of which are trickled down from some of their top-of-the-line components," concluding: "Your patience will be rewarded with an engaging and fluid musical presentation." His one quirk: there's no mute button on the front panel itself, though the remote provides one.

Who Is This Preamplifier Best For?

• Vinyl is your main event — a Triton II-derived phono stage with adjustable gain and loading is built in.
• You want real tube sound with modern control — four 12AU7s, 0.5dB volume steps, and an OLED display.
• You listen on headphones too — the headphone circuit borrows from Rogue's dedicated RH-5.
• Your system doubles for movies — unity-gain bypass hands the front speakers to your processor cleanly.
• If your system runs balanced XLR, the RP-5 v2 is RCA-only — Rogue's RP-7v2 adds full balanced connectivity.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect the variable RCA outputs to your power amplifier, with the second pair free for a subwoofer. Your turntable joins the phono input, with gain and loading set to match your cartridge. Line sources fill the remaining inputs, your surround processor joins the bypass loop, and headphones plug into the front panel.

Set the cartridge switches once, and the tubes handle everything after.

Pairs Well With

Building around the RP-5 v2? Here are some great companions:

• Turntable: The reason this Rogue exists — see our Turntables.
• Headphones: The RH-5-derived circuit deserves a good pair — see our Headphones.
• Cables: Quality RCA interconnects feed your power amp — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Audio Rack: Give this 30-pound American a proper home — see our Audio Racks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tubes does it use?

Four 12AU7/ECC82 tubes in a mu-follower circuit, a plentiful type that's easy to replace and popular for rolling.

How good is the phono stage?

It's derived from Rogue's Triton II standalone phono preamp, with 40 to 60dB of selectable gain, adjustable loading, and RIAA accuracy within 0.1dB for MM and MC cartridges.

What did the v2 revision change?

A refined 0.5dB-step volume control with a lower noise floor, a quieter and higher-gain phono stage, and a headphone circuit upgraded with RH-5 technology.

Does it have a headphone output?

Yes, an improved headphone amplifier on the front panel.

Does it have balanced XLR connections?

No. All connections are gold-plated RCA; Rogue's RP-7v2 adds balanced XLR.

Where is it made, and what warranty does it carry?

Hand-crafted in the USA, with a 3-year limited warranty (6 months on tubes).

See It in Action

Old Guy Hifi reviews the original RP-5, the platform the v2 refines:

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Learn More

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