Rogue Audio Sphinx V3 Integrated Amplifier / Separate Phono Preamp

Hi John -

I liked the sound quality overall of the Rogue Sphinx v3 quite a bit, but I found the on-board phono preamp to be prone to hum and noise.  Couldn't get to the bottom of it, so I replaced the amp.

For a $2000 hybrid amp, I would imagine a budget of $500 max.  The Parasound Z-phono or the Cambridge Audio come to mind.

Granted, I don't know which TT/ cartridge you are using.  

Rich

Hi Rich,
Project DC Carbon Ortofon Red with magnapan .7 speakers

From my experience the phono stage is really critical. I upgraded mine over and over, over the decades and it was not until I got to the Audio Research PH8 did it get out of the way. To put this in perspective this would be an investment level of Turntable (with Cartridge) = Phonostage = Preamp = Amp... an for that mater = DAC = Streamer in a system with the sound quality being the same for all media. You can see my system under my UsrID. 

So, in your case I would go for the very best you can afford. I'd recommend a used Audio Research, or Zesto if you can find one you can afford.

Look into this one based on the EAR 834P.

Depending on what tubes they supply you might want to pop a little more for a matched pair of 12ax7’s but you can use whatever’s supplied for the 3rd 12ax7buffer tube.

$420 assembled/shipped,

http://www.tubes4hifi.com/PH14.htm

DeKay

Schiit Skoll F$399

Mike

Hi John - 

I started out the same way with the Pro-ject DC Carbon and Ortofon Red.  

Is there anything that you are not satisfied with?  It’s easy to say replace this and that, and you can always find better than what you have, but is it worth it to you?  Tough question.

Assuming you are not having the hum problems I was having.  

I would replace the Ortofon Red if I were to start anywhere.  The Blue and Bronze are significantly and audibly better.  Then again, you wind up with cartridges that cost more than 1/2 your TT.  The phono section in your Rogue is pretty decent.  Well regarded in Herb Reichert’s Stereophile review.  He used the Ortofon Black,  

https://www.stereophile.com/content/rogue-sphinx-v3-integrated-amplifier

To save some space, I landed with the Technics 1210.  I swap out cartridges from time to time (using a Goldring E4 now).  It took some time to get there, before I stopped the chasing.   I like the ability to swap out cartridges when I want.  

Rich

Yeah, replace the Red with a Blue and enjoy the improvement until you get a phono amp and cables.

Anything phono, it is ’preferred’ not ’better’, thus I always encourage having full return/money back option.

Think long, have some flexibility for future cartridges.

Research, opinions, reviews, I tried and returned several respected phono stages, until I finally found keepers for my main system and office system.

Main is SUT (with Pass for MM) to Tube Preamp’s MM Phono. Fidelity Research FRT-4 to McIntosh mx110z

Office is built-in MM or MC (single 100 ohm setting) in little Luxman Tube Integrated SQ-N150

It is always good to have a likeable base unit, to keep listening if problems occur, I compared everything to this $15. unit, and several of my friends have borrowed it during repairs/changes of their systems, to help evaluate. It’s in-line design lets it fit behind anything.

https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Phono-Turntable-Preamp-Preamplifier/dp/B00025742A/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ir_8kqrUutu2bn6xFR-zODmOYT3cB6uLbezuy7t4RzMePh-iavFVWJ8QZYQ0SQ8SHuVLuqRJLqUkFBvTCSkIRWK6U_zTg8zAdfP0e5v1B0kEnGH2rIj4kzDgcvppVhPIEt4MxZRIcAtGyb4EWAS6GtAjp8TJQSgKuNVk_2OrXtVF8qdDMv5AWaeCs_ovbakA3pfHEXofGDgD6QKNXgb_2cKsws6mdKK7EgRjs7sOgQY.3j9XHbZTK8gnRZpIPAI7Un1yiSNDuSuB5sRsYWJtz78&dib_tag=se&keywords=pyle+mm+phono&qid=1754134259&sr=8-3 

Relativity: I always remember, I had an AT120 TT into McIntosh C28 Preamp. I preferred the sound of the dinky switchable RIAA card in the TT to the Preamp's MM Stage

some interesting info is included with this listing of a Ceramic Headshell

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144636153039?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=4c94f286-6f99-11f0-9524-643236336433

a variation

https://exclusive-audio.jp/en/products/fidelix-mitchaku-z-head-shell-straight-arm-effect

additional unusualness

https://elusivedisc.com/nasotec-swing-headshell-normal-version-silver/?/?utm_source=localiq&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=localiq_shoppingaccessories&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18661485504&gbraid=0AAAAAo9LfKrdKbN_flctfn9v3GYzK9V6h&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgJG_3o7sjgMVyU9HAR383BlnEAQYAiABEgI4DvD_BwE

What sound characteristics are most important to you, what specific improvements are you looking for, what’s your budget and are you looking for new or used?

Hi,

As I mentioned in my OP, I'm having an emotional desire to upgrade based on a recent Paul McGowan post regarding Phono stages.  So I really don't know what I'm missing, as this is my first system. I think, based on what I do have, a $500 budget, new or used, is what I was thinking.
I primarily listen to Rock Pop, Female Vocal, and singer-songwriter stuff.

Project DC carbon - red
Rouge
Magnepan .7

This is a well-regarded phono pre that’d likely be a significant improvement…

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbf0fc-lehmann-black-cube-seii-phono-preamp-phono

If you can stretch a bit this would be at a much higher level…

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650231845-liberty-audio-b2b-1-mmmc-phono-preamplifier-all-original-packaging/

Best of luck.