2. amps-preamps
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Rogue Pharaoh II vs Naim Supernait 3 for Revels

Hello! This is my first post here, long time lurker. 

My system is as follows - Rogue Sphinx v2, Revel F206, Matrix X-Sabre Pro MQA dac, Pro-ject RPM 10 Carbon w/Grado Sonata, Graham Slee Reflex M. 

Within the last few years I upgraded from Monitor Silver 8's to the Revels and a Bluesound node to the x-sabre. My system has grown a lot since I first purchased the Sphinx in 2016 and I'm just looking for something nicer. I'd appreciate a larger soundstage and perhaps more bass punch as a I listen to a lot of modern music. 

I've been making my eyes bleed reading about amps for the last year trying to decide and I'm ultimately at naim sn3 and rogue pharaoh.

Knowing that the revels love current, will I be under powering them with the sn3? Will the Pharaoh punch harder? If so, at what cost? 

xlosrnancr
xlosrnancr OP
3 posts
 

Actually went a different route and purchased a NAD C298. Sounds absolutely incredible. Considering pairing it with a Bel Canto Pre5 or a Benchmark LA4. It's currently being fed direct from the Matrix DAC.

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 

Both are winners. For me it would come down to of I really want to have to dabble with tubes or not anymore.

xlosrnancr OP
3 posts
 

No tubes either way, but no I'm over tubes. 

yyzsantabarbara
4,811 posts
 

If you got the NAD C298 then the Benchmark LA4 seems like the natural fit for me. I say this because the Purifi amps are described as being very similarly to the Benchmark AHB2. The LA4 and AHB2 are what I use in one system.

I just bought and returned the NAD M22 V2 which I selected over the NAD C298 because I wanted something that did not sound like the AHB2. I returned the NAD because the AutoStart feature was problematic with my 2-amp setup on my CODA 07x preamp. I was happy with the sound of the NAD M22 V2 for its intended purpose, I just could not disable the AutoStart.

If my similar sounding assumption of the C298 and AHB2 is correct, then a CODA 07x preamp would likely be great the C298. I love the combo of CODA and Benchmark preamps and amps (all combos). The 07x preamp is very different from the LA4. It will add some tuby sound to the mix and it is not dead silent like the LA4. My fav is the LA4, but the 07x could be better with the C298 if you like a bit of warmth.

xlosrnancr OP
3 posts
 

Awesome, appreciate the insight. 

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