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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 10 responses by chelillingworth

chelillingworth
309 posts
 
Just read through all of the previous posts and without going into lots of detail I have listened to lots of players at home including the planet and planet 2000. So I feel that my opinion of those players is well founded and I would have refrained from commenting otherwise. I really did want to like them. I am certainly not trying to push itmes I own. As I regretfully don't own even the much loved Rogue anymore as I needed something that could be left on all of the time. I am currently playing with a modded sony 9000es which is quite good an I love the versatility but lacks the body of some of the better redbook only players although still a league beyond either Rega.
The Cary house sound is well documented and I have heard it next to a Rogue at a dealer and it lacked the tranparency and drive of the Rogue by quite a bitjust wasnt something I had any interest in lugging home. Again try some other players and have fun. I don't think I need to eat too much crow eh?!
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
You need to hearRogue Tempest Magnum Version. This will walk all over the Cary. Check the Rogue Website for detail on the upgraded model. Much more refinement and depth and control. Upgraded Electre Harmonix output tubes, power supply, caps , resistors. Truly an amazing amp.
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
Yes, and I had the stack version before. If you like the Tempest but would like a large improvement in all areas than go for the Magnum upgrade. What System are you using it with ? I have mine hooked up to Audio Physic Virgo's and it is a beautiful match.
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
I have owned a stock and Magnum Rogue. I haven't bothered to bring that or any other Cary home as their sound from what I have heard at a variety of dealers and systems does not interest me at all. The reason you find the Rogue to sound like real music in a real space is because it is very neutral and detailed, something that you cannot say about many Cary products.

That said I would not spend the extra money on the Magnum upgrade if you are only going to feed it with the rather mediocre Planet CD player ( the most over rate dcd player of all time). You might find your money more well spent upgrading the source which in my opinion is a much larger issue than tube swapping etc...

You will be amazed at how well even the stock Tempest will pass along the added musicality and resolution of a real digital front end.

If you end up with the Cary Then I wouldn't imagine the Cd player would matter much. Ouch ! am I going to make some enemies with Cary fans but man you can keep that stuff ;^)
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
There we go !! I knew I would instigate some sort of riot here. But really, even my old discman could make a bag of potatos out of that "Hey Look Ma ! I'm on the cover of Stereophile" Hunk of Bunk.
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
Oh I don't have any flames, just having a little fun !? It is honestly where I think the money is most well spent.

Special thanks to Dml1 the friendly neighborhood typo police.
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
I would take the cheaper Rotel 971 over the planet any day. So it's not just that more expensive players are better it's that cheaper ones are!
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
Oh yeah Man ! I'm not one of those guys who talks out of my behind. I think though we can settle as sying that perhaps it is more personal taste and associated equipment. I just think that it is a little nutty when some affordable piece of gear gets a good review and everybody runs after it thinking it's a giant killer. Or like all the great reviews of Patricia Barber trying to pass her off as a Jazz singer uhhg.
Finally back to the original post my comments were to make the point that the Rogue products are so good that they really do outclass the little Planet and that I really feel that much more bang for the buck improvements lie with the front end. Have fun, give it a try.
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
The Magnum pumps the Bass and loses the Fuzz. That is a good description ! That is one of the biggest improvements I heard was a pure, clear high end.
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
aha !!

Good for you, the Rogue is amazing.
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