Well looking at that particular amp I'd say if you're clueless then at least you are lucky. Or maybe just not as clueless as you let on. Just the fact you are looking at integrateds shows a grasp of the subject a lot of guys blow right past. As they proceed to throw money at a problem that cannot be solved with money. What you are doing, actually listening and comparing based on what you hear, is the only way.
Keeping it simple with an integrated helps a lot too. Getting the most out of your components calls for equally high quality power cords, interconnects, speaker cables, and fuses. At a minimum. Running an integrated is a massive head start because it eliminates a power cord, interconnect, and fuse, easily another $1500-2000, not to mention the space you save.
I prefer tubes but the Rogue being hybrid is probably giving you a pretty good taste of what you can expect if you upgrade down the road. Meantime you get about the same power as a good 50 watt tube amp. (SS watts are worth about half tube watts, subjectively speaking.) The phono stage is 40 dB gain which will work with all MM and probably be fine with some of the higher output MC cartridges too. Depending on how much vinyl you prefer an outboard phono stage will be a nice improvement.
There's a lot to be said for building a system conservatively like this. By the time you carefully match what you have with a good selection of wire chosen by listening you will probably be very pleasantly surprised just how good it will sound for not a lot of money.
Keeping it simple with an integrated helps a lot too. Getting the most out of your components calls for equally high quality power cords, interconnects, speaker cables, and fuses. At a minimum. Running an integrated is a massive head start because it eliminates a power cord, interconnect, and fuse, easily another $1500-2000, not to mention the space you save.
I prefer tubes but the Rogue being hybrid is probably giving you a pretty good taste of what you can expect if you upgrade down the road. Meantime you get about the same power as a good 50 watt tube amp. (SS watts are worth about half tube watts, subjectively speaking.) The phono stage is 40 dB gain which will work with all MM and probably be fine with some of the higher output MC cartridges too. Depending on how much vinyl you prefer an outboard phono stage will be a nice improvement.
There's a lot to be said for building a system conservatively like this. By the time you carefully match what you have with a good selection of wire chosen by listening you will probably be very pleasantly surprised just how good it will sound for not a lot of money.