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How quiet is your Rogue Sphinx?

I have a new Rogue sphinx, I don't recall the unit I demoed to be especially noisy but I do find my unit to have some noise despite other owners describing the model as 'dead quiet'.

In both 'standby' and 'on' there is a quiet though audible hum coming from the right hand half of the unit (maybe I can hear it through the vent on the top). You need to put your ears pretty close to the unit though.

There is also a similar hum to be heard through the mid/bass unit, audible about 2 feet away. This is aside from the more common 'hiss' that is also present. Oddly if I turn my balance control left all the way, the hum becomes much louder through the right speaker only and can be heard about 10 feet away. If I turn the balance to the right the original hum in the left speaker actually decreases in volume!

I am used to speakers having a hiss but the question I ask is do any other sphinx owners notice this extra layer of hum/buzz that varies with the balance control in this way? Is your actual amplifier unit dead quiet or does it have a faint hum also?

Just trying to figure out if my unit operates typically or otherwise.

Thanks in advance.
big_katydid

Showing 5 responses by devilboy

devilboy
1,176 posts
 
Well here we go...I will never purchase another Rogue product. I purchased a used Sphinx and it was probably the most regretful purchase I ever made. In Rogue's defense, I never gave it enough time to fully break in (I bought it fairly new). I also heard swooshing and popping sounds coming from the left channel. When changing the inputs from the front panel knob, the right channel completely cut out. I sent this back to Rogue where they assured me they fixed the problems and after that, could not duplicate them in their shop. I sold the integrated last week and the gentleman who purchased it HEARD EXACTLY THE SAME THING AS I DID. Wtf? How could that be? But wait....it gets better.....

Four times, FOUR TIMES when Rogue said they would call me back for updates, or returning my call, whatever, they failed to do so. In my audio experience, probably the worst customer service I ever had the displeasure of dealing with. I know other people have had better experiences, and that's great. Not this audiophile.
devilboy
1,176 posts
 
By the way, the gentleman who purchased my Rogue Sphinx had to send it back to Rogue less than one week after he got it.
devilboy
1,176 posts
 
From Simao: "Hell, my MLA Statement hybrid integrated (originally $11500) has some hum when it's on. Does it screw up the music?"

Ummmm.....yes, it does.

My Rogue had a hum so easily heard from the listening seat that it was actually distracting. Any amplifier I've had that had a hum was distracting. To me it's like listening to vinyl with all the clicks and pops....sorry, I don't want to spend my money listening to that.

Also, let me make another thing perfectly clear. In addition to the hum, the Rogue made "swooshing" and "popping" sounds from the left channel with or without music playing. There was obviously something defective with the amp. Not just transformer hum. I'm with Wolf. I detest ANY noise other than music coming from my speakers. It's way to distracting and removes me from the emotional connection.

I was at a friend of a friend's house about 15 minutes from my home about a month ago. He has a system that retails for somewhere just south of 300K. He played vinyl on his $30Kish 'table. Every album he played sounded like crap. Yes, garbage, because of all the pops. Way too distracting.
devilboy
1,176 posts
 
Rpeluso.....???
devilboy
1,176 posts
 
Joekapahulu, you would be wise to. How is it that two regular guys like myself and the person I sold it to heard two different problems immediately but the pros who built the thing didn't after having it for five days? Thankfully Rogue is not charging him for the "second" repair however I do believe he had to eat the shipping cost to send it back. ????????? Really Rogue? Come on.

As you said Joe, that's something to think about considering where you live.
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