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

@dylanfan 

The Rogue Cronus Magnum I, II and III are very nice sounding amplifiers but sound best with much higher efficiency speakers than your Magnepans.  Your speakers per spec recommend no less than 100 WPC at 4 Ohms.  

The Rogue begins clipping at 35 watts at 4-ohms, well under the recommended power.  The sound will be thin and strained at higher volumes- so you are on the right track to find a new amp. 

The Rogue Audio Pharaoh II delivers at least 200 watts per channel a 4-ohms as tested,  I heard your speakers driven by the Rogue Audio DragoN amplifier which have nearly identical amplifier design and execution as the Pharaoh's amplifier section.  The sound was full, powerful and clear without being dry or clinical. They are a proven good match with Magnepans.  

I have heard the HiFi Rose integrated several times driving  various MoFi Sourcepoint speakers.  The sound was powerful but somewhat dry and brash.  Based on these experiences I would recommend the Rogue Pharaoh amp with your speaker.  

Avanti1960 thank you so much for the reply.

that was exactly what I thought using the Cronus but could not put it into such precise wording.

you make a lot of sense. Most reviews of the Pharoah 2 has been favorable but there were a couple that had me question the class D amplifier.

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/

Have you considered one of the Pass models or Parasound. I ran 1.7i with a Parasound HINT with fantastic results, have since moved up to the 3.7i with a Pass set up again fantastic sound. You can stretch your dollar by buying used.