Integrated tube amp vs Tube amp?

@mulveling 

i agree completely but with a cary audio SLP-05 and a Pass XA25 I still miss the sound of the Cronus Magnum II.  I have class A solid state quickness but missing whatever the CM II tube amp did.  And the stereo 100 was not "it".  Too dark.  I liked the polished neutrality of the CM II.  

Wow, very interesting! I guess there's good reason the CM is their huge seller. I'm surprised that the Stereo 100 fell flat for you - I'd have figured that would be an "it" piece to show off the quality of separates. I tried a Stereo 90 long ago and really like it. I have Apollo Darks in my collection and they're anything but "dark" sounding. But there's no arguing with your direct experience! That is some nice separates gear your CM II has gone up against.

+1 @atmasphere ...as per usual.

Long time lurker, first time poster. I am currently running for the last month a MC1502, C2700 into Cornwall IVs.  Honestly, it is the nicest sounding system I have ever had.  I had thought about a MC275, but the MC1502 sounded just a bit nicer/richer to my ears.  I tried a hybrid amp, the MA352 before I returned it and went  with the current combination.  I think something similar would serve you well.

@mulveling

forgot about the dark option, thanks for the mention. i may have to order a stereo 100 dark.  

i tried everything to brighten the non dark version including all sorts of tubes and a bright preamp but no luck.  

forgot about the dark option, thanks for the mention. i may have to order a stereo 100 dark.

i tried everything to brighten the non dark version including all sorts of tubes and a bright preamp but no luck.

Also if you need a bit more top end energy and zing in Rogue amps, the Mazda silver plate 12ax7 (not 5751) is a panacea. It sounds almost like a full component upgrade in the right scenario. I used ’em in Apollos and Apollo Darks, even when not wanting the extra top end for the latter, just because they’re so damned good. They were absolutely a huge upgrade for the original Apollos. I got mine from Brent Jesse. Short of Mazda silvers, the Telefunken ribbed plates is one to try (easier to find and cheaper than Mazda) - NOT the smooth plate kind though, which are warmer.

I’m kinda wondering now if the plain Apollos with Mazdas might have been better than the Apollo Darks lol. The Darks ship with Telefunken smooth plates, which it needs for balanced tonality, but the absence of the Mazda's detail, dynamics, punchiness is quite obvious with that sub.