Rogue Audio Ares II Tube Phono Preamplifier

"I Can’t Think of a Better Phono Stage at This Price"

The Rogue Audio Ares II is an ultra-high performance, low noise vacuum tube phono preamplifier. Ares is compatible with almost all low, medium, and high output moving coil (MC) cartridges and moving magnet (MM) cartridges. "Truly fantastic sounding!" is how Rogue Audio sums up the Ares II.

The new Ares II version upgrades the original Ares with a new circuit board layout along with a mono switch and other improvements.

The Ares II boasts pure tube circuit topology for pleasing, luxurious 'Golden Age' hi-fi sound. The tube complement consists of two 12AX7 tubes and two 12AU7 tubes. An arched metal 'cage' protects the tubes. The tube circuitry is quite flexible and can accommodate several different tube types. If you find that you would like a bit more gain, you can replace the two 12AU7 tubes with 12AT7 or 12AX7 tubes. This may be particularly useful in the case of low output Moving Magnet cartridges.

"More Air, More Detail, More Presence, More Weight"

"The Ares brought out more of everything in the music – more air, more detail, more presence, more weight, yet it never sounded boomy," reports AVrev.com. "The Ares is not for the casual analog kid – its $1,995 price tag ensures that – but if you're looking for a phono preamplifier that can bring out the best in your current system with the flexibility to grow and change with your needs, the Ares is easy to recommend. It's built to last in many more ways than one."

"I can’t think of a better phono stage at this price. I’ve already said the Ares is a stunner and I stand by that statement," notes Scott Hull in his review for Part-Time Audiophile. "This is a product (or more specifically, a version of a product) that is at least aspirational for most real-world audiophiles, and once attained, will happily anchor a vinyl system that will not only please but shock."

"It is wonderfully, delightfully and often enchantingly good. You would not be compromising with the Ares," raves 10audio.com. "Instead of grudgingly mumbling, I could do worse, you will confidently proclaim, It doesn't get much better!."

Cartridge Compatibility

Built like a tank with a solid and immediately striking appearance, the Ares II is highly adaptable when it comes to accommodating your cartridge. Compatible with almost all low, medium, and high output moving coil (MC) cartridges plus moving magnet (MM) cartridges, it has internal settings for the most popular loading options.

Three different gain levels and five different resistive cartridge loads that are available. There is also 150pF that can be added for certain cartridge types that require this. The Ares offers 150 Picofared or 0 capacitance loading along with three gain settings of 40dB, 55dB, and 64dB.

Massive Outboard Power Supply

For ultra-quiet performance, Ares II has a massive, fully regulated outboard power supply to keep RFI and EMI noise away from the delicate phono stage electronics and out of the signal chain. The power supply uses a toroidal transformer plus premium custom-made Cinemag step-up transformers.

It's no surprise that premium, precision components aren't limited to the power supply. Only the highest quality parts are used throughout the build, and these components are meticulously hand-wired to heavy, two-ounce copper circuit boards using Teflon/silver plated hook-up wire.

Timer Delayed Start for Minimum Turn-On Noise

Once the Ares II has been installed in your system and set up according to your cartridge requirements, it is ready to be turned on. The Ares II has a timer circuit built into it to minimize turn on thumps and noises. Nonetheless, the Ares II should always be turned on before the preamplifier and turned off after the preamplifier has been turned off. The on/off power switch is located on the left rear of the unit. After powering on the Ares II, the timer circuit will delay any output for approximately 30 seconds while the tubes warm up and the circuit stabilizes.

Designed and Hand Built in the USA

The Ares II is entirely designed and hand built in the USA. Each unit is individually fully tested, burned-in, and auditioned, assuring you of great sound right out of the box. It comes with a three-year manufacturer's limited warranty from Rogue Audio (six months on the tubes). A high quality detachable IEC AC power cord is included.

The machined aluminum faceplate is available in either black or silver to complement the rest of your components.

Product Features

MM/MC phono preamp
New circuit board layout, mono switch, and other improvements for Ares II version
Pure tube circuit topology
Two 12AX7 tubes and two 12AU7 tubes
Internal settings with most popular loading options
Internal setting for 150 Picofared or 0 capacitance loading
Three gain settings: 40dB, 55dB, 64dB
Precise RIAA equalization
Custom Cinemag step-up transformers
Massive fully regulated outboard power supply
Toroidal transformer
Timer delayed start for minimum turn-on noise
Subsonic filtering
Ultra heavy-duty gold RCA inputs
Precision components throughout
Machined aluminum faceplate
Heavy (2 ounce) copper circuit boards
Teflon/silver plated hook-up wire
Detachable IEC power cord
Entirely designed and built in the USA
3 year limited warranty (six months on tubes)

Product Specs

Dimensions: 17" W x 9" D x 5.5" H
Shipping weight: 21 lbs.

"I can’t think of a better phono stage at this price. I’ve already said the Ares is a stunner and I stand by that statement. While there are, objectively, better products in this space, the sound quality I get with the Ares makes me truly disinclined to pursue them. Don’t like the aesthetic? I can understand that — but understand that we will still have to mock you for your vanity. For the rest of us, this is a product (or more specifically, a version of a product) that is at least aspirational for most real-world audiophiles, and once attained, will happily anchor a vinyl system that will not only please but shock. I’m loving mine — now it’s time to go build a vinyl system around it!"

- Scott Hull, Part-Time Audiophile, December 6, 2013

"The Ares brought out more of everything in the music – more air, more detail, more presence, more weight, yet it never sounded boomy,. The Ares is not for the casual analog kid – its $1,995 price tag ensures that – but if you're looking for a phono preamplifier that can bring out the best in your current system with the flexibility to grow and change with your needs, the Ares is easy to recommend. It's built to last in many more ways than one."

- AVrev.com, December 13, 2010

"It is wonderfully, delightfully and often enchantingly good. You would not be compromising with the Ares. Instead of grudgingly mumbling, I could do worse, you will confidently proclaim, It doesn't get much better!."

- 10audio.com, September 1, 2011