Integrated Shootout: Rogue Tempest/Cary Sli80 sig


The Cary is stock re: all tubes except power tubes, the 6922 tubes are Sovtek, the 5u4g tubes are Sovtek as well, the 6sn7 tubes are Chinese, and the power tubes are Svet 6550 and Electro Harmonix 6550EH.
The Rogue has the Sovtek 12ax7 and JAN Phillips 12au7(tube upgrade from Rogue) and the same power tubes (Svet 6550, EH 6550EH).

Ok. The Cary is a bit more refined. Alot, actually. But the Cary with stock tubes, is brighter (I can't believe I think it sounds bright, but it does).
The Rogue had soundstage DEPTH out the yin-yang, while the Cary is more 2-D (I don't like this at all).
As far as Soundstage width , the Cary is wider, but with the depth lacking so, it seems more "fake" than the Rogue.
The Rogue, because of it's depth and acceptable width, sounds more like music in real space, but with a more "tubey" sound (it sounds colored, but the coloring makes it sound real), while the Cary's tone is purer and the pace more lively, but because of the brightness and flat soundstage, it seems to suffer by comparison. Both throw an image very, very well.

I am going to be tweaking around with some 6sn7 and 6922 tubes for the Cary, in an effort to get the brightness out (I know this can be fixed) and most importantly, the soundstage depth up to snuff. I just wanted to post my results so far. The Tempest, with the upgraded preamp tubes from Rogue (I think a $100 option) gets the nod vs the totally stock Sli80.

This is going to get good.... stay tuned.
Opinions are appreciated...
gthirteen

Showing 3 responses by buckingham

Gthirteen, I also have the Rogue Magnum Tempest. I changed the 12AX7's to Mullard CV4004 from www.kcanostubes. I also put NOS Phillips in the 12AU7 slots like you. I am selling the QUAD of NOS Phillips here on the gon (need cash).
I heard a huge difference after adding both... This unit came with the Magnum upgrade so I don't know the difference between the normal and Magnum versions.
Gthirteen, you seem to really like your planet! If you think it is good, than it is TO YOU. Keep it, and you'll save yourself lots of money. Ignorance is bliss! Sure there's tonnes of better stuff out there, but you can trick yourself by thinking the way you are. If we could all think like that we'd all have much more cash in our pockets. Thanks to Audiogon, there's really no chance in the world for that theory to work for myself... Meh
The Planet is a good little player for the money. But there are better out there for a little more $$$.