2. amps-preamps
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Help with possible left channel issue.

My apologies if this is supposed to be within the Tech Talk section. 
 

Recently purchased a used Rogue Audio Pharaoh II.  Have been enjoying it for about a month with a few quibbles (static from speakers when changing volume via the remote and very brief light static from speakers upon power on/off). 
 

My typical system power up is (Innous ZENmini MK3 —> Marantz SACD 30 —> Rogue Audio Pharaoh II). All three are plugged into a Furman PST-8 Digital power strip which is plugged into the wall. A Rel T7i is also plugged into the wall, but I really don’t use it much and only power it on when in use.

Last night after system power up, I hit play on a track via the Innous Sense App and heard a loud static pop from the left speaker. First reaction was to turn the volume down. (typically leave the volume knob at about 7pm) and pause the track. I waited a few second then unpaused the track and raised the volume a bit. All seems ok and I listened to music for two hours or so. Powered down in reverse of power up (Rogue Audio Pharaoh II —> Innous ZENmini MK3 —> Marantz SACD 30). 
 

Today, when I powered up the system and went to listen to the Innous ZENmini MK3, there was no audio out of the left speaker (Sonus Faber Sonetto V Gen 1).  I turned the balance knob left/right and right/left, but only heard slight static from the left speaker when the balance knob was turned passed neutral. I powered down the system and swapped the right speaker cables into the left speaker, powered the system back up and the left speaker was working fine.  I’m guessing that it is the left channel, but I would rather not open up the amp and mess around with tubes, wires, etc. I did reach out to Rogue and and awaiting a response. Luckily they are relatively close, so hoping I can just drop off the amp for a look over and repair if they do find an issue. 
 

In the interim, is there any one here with the same amp or other Rogue Audio product that had a similar channel related issue?  The Pharaoh II is an integrated amp, likely most here are using separates. 
 

Any insights or thoughts on the matter would be greatly appreciated. 
 

Note: A the time of the incident, the Rel Ti7i was never on, though it remains plugged into the wall and connected to the amp via a high lever Speakon connection. 

Thanks. 

shredsled

Showing 5 responses by shredsled

shredsled OP
20 posts
 

jefbij,

Thank you for the insights.

I have not boxed up the  Rogue, so I will try connecting the Marantz SACD 30  to another set of inputs on the Rogue to see if that resolves/insolates anything.  

Not sure what you mean by “L/R swap the interconnects into the Rogue”

However, wanting to get back to listening, I swapped the Rogue for my Marantz Model 30 and everything was fine, so the source would seem ok.  Not that it would necessarily make a difference, but streaming internet radio from the Marantz SACD30 was fine and streaming burned CD’s from the Innous ZENmini MK3 was fine also.  I’m using the DAC in the Marantz SACD30 and the same pairs of interconnects and power cords as I have when the Rogue was set up. 

Hopefully, if it is determined by Rogue that one or more of the items you mentioned is/are the culprit(s), the repair is an easy one and not a lengthy turn around.

Thanks again. 

shredsled OP
20 posts
 

jefbij,

 

Tried connecting the Rogue to the Marantz SACD 30 via input 2 on the Rogue and still no sound out of the left speaker. Also, tried directly connecting the Innous to the Rogue using the DAC of the Innous and no sound in the left speaker either. Went back and replaced the Rogue with the Marantz Model 30 and all was fine.

 

 

shredsled OP
20 posts
 

@buellrider97 

Thanks for sharing your experiences with the Rogue monoblocks.  Wonder if I’ll run into a similar situation regarding the static in addition to the left channel. Pre-purchase, I’d been emailing with Bill at Rogue about an ST-100 and using my Marantz Model 30 as a preamp. He suggested I take a look at the Pharaoh II.

Rogue is slightly over an hour from me, so hoping I can just drop it off.  Interesting thought on the dark upgrade.  I was not aware that it was available for the Pharaoh II . I’ve read positive reviews about to dark upgrade for the Cronus.  As you mentioned maybe if the repair could be covered with the purchase of the dark upgrade that might be that way to go.

With respect to the PST-8, I had the Rogue plugged into one of the unfiltered sockets and the Marantz SACD30N into the filtered socket.  I never A/B tested the sockets, I figured the digital source might benefit more. However, it might be redundant as I have a Shunyata V12 NR power cord on the Marantz SACD 30N. All The Marantz Model 30 and SACD 30N combo were very silent and laid back musically, but I felt that my speakers needed a bit more punch which I feel the Rogue added. 

 

shredsled OP
20 posts
 

@buellrider97 

Thanks for the info on the tubes. Have a lot to learn and look into. 
Apologies as I did not ask Rogue Audio today about a dark upgrade for the Pharaoh II.  I’ll keep that on the back burner if it comes to fruition. 

shredsled OP
20 posts
 

Issue resolved…


This morning, I stopped in at Rogue Audio and they took me on the spot. 
Rolled the Pharaoh II out of my car into the shop and went to work on the bench.  Turns out one of the tubes wasn’t seating in the socket correctly. It worked in the adjacent socket, but for some reason was not liking its original home. Replaced it with a new tube and the left channel was up and running. While in there, they tightened up the toroidal transformer and I was on my way.  5 stars for the team at Rogue Audio…cordial and efficient. The shop itself was cool to see. Very well laid out and tidy.  Happy to be up and running again.

 

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