Music Reference RM-5 mkIII

This RM 5 Mk III is freshly returned from a repair (selector switch), and a a full bench check plus new RAM tubes installed by the designer/engineer Roger Modjeski. It is functionally perfect. It looks good, but not like new. You judge from the photos. My price is fair, and includes insured UPS shipping to CONUS. I will happily answer any sensible questions and cheerfully ignore low ballers.
“Music Reference developed the RM-5 preamplifier based on sound engineering principles following years of research. The electrical sections of the RM-5 are the phono RIAA equalizer, phono amplifier, and the line amplifier. Each active stage was designed with a power supply, which exceeds its requirements, by a factor of ten. Thus, each stage is ultimately over-load proof and stable under dynamic and line voltage extremes. The result: an accurate sound stage with precise focus on individual instruments. The RM-5 is built to standards well beyond its price.

The Music Reference RM-5 was ranked by Stereophile as Class B back in 1992. It offers internal dip switches to adjust gain, making it very flexible in matching with a variety of power amplifiers. The main difference between the III and IV (the final model) is that the IV offered an option to turn off the phono tubes if not being used. The preamp sold for about $1950 new in 1992.” (information from another owner)


Short review of RM5 in my system System as of 2011:
SOTA Star, AT 150MLX, Amp. CJ 2500A, Speaker Wire Audioquest Clear 3, Speakers;
Soundlab M3

The stock gain setting put normal listen levels mid control. No hum or noise was noticeable.
Record surface noise is not exaggerated, as it often is with solid state preamps. Only a hint of tube
sound, unlike a Conrad Johnson of similar vintage which also had a new tube set from the same supplier.
By comparison, the CJ sounded downright old fashioned and soft - even a bit indistinct. I recently owned a Quicksilver Full Featured preamp, which sounded a bit darker and generally less neutral than the Music Reference.
To me the RM5 dynamics seem excellent with no hint of slowness or overload, I would call the character of the sound slightly mellow (not unwelcome). I can see how someone might describe the same perception as lacking resolution, however that was not my conclusion. Have I heard better? Yes, but not from anything in this price range.