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 1 response by jspivey

Hi Everyone -

I purchased a used Sphinx a couple of weeks ago. I'm enjoying the amp paired with my KEF LS50's. However, I stumbled upon this thread after researching Sphinx hum/hiss/static.

The actual unit is dead quite but there is an amount of static coming from the speakers that wasn't there with my previous NAD amp. It's only audible a foot or so from the speakers. It increases with volume change but not significantly. I have noticed when balancing all the way to the left, the right channel becomes more audible.

I guess the main question I have is if this is attributable to the normal "noise floor" of the amp? It is minor.. but it is there. More curious to know if the amp if preforming as it should.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated. I'm awaiting a response from Rogue Audio as well.

Thanks,
Joe