Replace Rogue Cronus 3 with Rogue Pharoah 2 or HiFi Rose rs520 or suggestions


I have a small music room and have been using the Rogue Cronus 3 integrated.

i think the Rogue to me sounds more solid state than my 300b tube amp by a long ways. Maybe I just don’t like the sound with the .7 speakers.

it gets my room a little warm here in Oklahoma with 90 and 100 degree weather.

i also have a Hegel h190 that I have been using.  I think the Hegel h190 sounds better than the Cronus with the Magnepan .7 speakers I am using right now.

i think I just want something new.

i have a local dealer that has the Rogue and HiFi Rose line and been thinking about trading the Cronus for a Rogue Pharoah or a HiFi Rose integrated with streaming capabilities. Read some great reviews about the Pharoah with Magnepan .7 speakers. Should I keep the Rogue or trade for one of these or something else. I am not sure about the class d amp qualities yet. Any advice would be appreciated.

dylanfan

Showing 1 response by soix

Rogue amps have a house sound that skews more neutral and are not as tonally full or warm sounding as some other tube amps, so in addition to the Cronus maybe being a bit underpowered this may also be contributing  to what you’re hearing.  I had their hybrid Medusa power amp in my system for a bit, and it was very good but warm or tube like would not be words I’d use to describe its sound — more solid state neutral sounding with excellent imaging/soundstage, and I’d be a little concerned the Pharaoh may be a bit more of the same as your Cronus.  I think you should give the Unison Unico hybrid amps a look as they skew a little warmer and have a tube input stage and MOSFET solid state output that may work well with your Maggies, and specifically the Due and 90 models should be enough to power your Maggies effectively.  This dealer offers a return period and used to offer a 10% discount though not sure that’s still in effect (might have vanished with tariffs).  I know someone recently bought the Unico 90 from The Music Room and got a 10% discount, and they also offer a return period so that’s another option.  I also linked a recent review of the Unico 90 so you can get more of a feel for its sonic characteristics.  Just another potential option to consider, and best of luck.

https://soundapproach.com/unison-research

https://twitteringmachines.com/review-unison-research-unico-90-integrated-amplifier/