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

@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. 

 

I just thought you might experiment as that unit makes pretty big power and sometimes things get bottlenecked at the power filter. I use a simple Richard Gray and when I replaced the heavy original cord with a Shunyata Venom HO I could tell a difference. I replaced my 15 amp duplex with a 20 amp Hubble duplex in order to accommodate the cord. I am aware of what I draw and was not concerned with an overload, although 20 amp circuits are more desirable. Also on tubes I have the RP-1 pre and replacing the JJ’s was absolutely huge. I tried RCA, Mullard, Seimens Nickle and settled on Tekefunkens. I checked the web site and did not see an upgrade to Dark specifically listed, but I saw a used listing for a Dark Pharaoh, maybe I was mistaken. When I recently received my upgraded M-180’s they no longer come with nos, shipping higher grade new production small signal tubes. They came with a couple pairs of the higher quality JJ’s and they were still poor sounding. However the 12AX7 slots had gold pin new production Tung Sol 5751 and they were really nice ! PM me if you have any 12AU7 questions and we can chat. I just had the M-180’s modded but where I live it was 105* today and we have the second highest power rates in the country. I’ll probably be considering something like the Pharaoh or Atmosphere class D mono’s this summer. I have Tekton DI’s coming Tuesday and even with 180 wpc, I think something like you have might be significantly better. I can’t say enough how much Bill and Nick have helped me. Cheers , Mike B. 

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.

 

@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 This why first law of owning tube equipment is having extra properly working tubes on hand, would have avoided this altogether. In any case you have unit working properly so that's good.