Rogue vs ARC

I have had both. The Rogue M-180's and the ARC 110. The ARC does not even come close. The bass is so much more there on the Rogues. The Ref 110..what bass..? it has none! For $5500 retail the Rogue M180's are VERY hard to beat. Even against my Lamm M1.2 Reference ($22,690), the Lamm's were better, but not $17,190 better! I would like to know every ones source. an Air Tight PC-1 supreme on a VPI classic turn table is hard to beat. Yes the cartridge is 3 times more money then the TT, but use that through a $25,000 pre and a $12,000 phono stage, and $32,000 Focals, and you would be suprised how the Rogues become giant killers.The Rogues also killed my VAC 300.1's as well. Listen with your ears and not your wallets.

I have never owned ARC gear, but from the several times I have heard ARC based systems, I have been impressed. However, I am an extremely happy owner of a Rogue Audio
Cronus, and it is truly a wonderful amplifier. It's approaching its third birthday, and it makes wonderful music. It's built to extremely high standards, and I have always been treated very well by Nick and Mark at Rogue. They have been there to give me support and advice whenever needed, and I think the company is getting better and better. Happy Listening.

I cant believe that rogue is not selling more m180s because they are a giant killer. You get so much for your money, a true value in today's market. Yes you can get better sound, but usually for a LOT more money.

Agreed. I got a set of the "lowly" M150's and am blown away how good these sound. A friend, who used to sell Rogue (he has a lot of other high-end brands) had trouble selling them due to low brand awareness, but when I mentioned that I was interested in auditioning my M150's against a MC352 McIntosh he had laying around, he said "don't bother, your M150 will blow it out of the water. I would take it over an MC402 as well". And, Mac is his biggest line...I have spent a lot of money auditioning amps in this price range, and this was really the only one that raised the bar of my system instead of just being a lateral move. It truly punches above it's weight, especially with good tubes. Bass, soundstage depth, female vocals all sound as good as I have heard in my system, and clarity is almost as good as a $6k set of solid state monos I recently had on loan.

Whether it is better than ARC, I can't say. A guy in town has the REF 110's, so maybe I can bring my amps to his place and we can A/B them. I know the REF110 has a bigger name and costs more, but in audio, that means less than nothing without hearing them side-by-side.

Ditka vs. God...... Da Bears........

But Tvad, what would Audiogon be without sweeping generalizations and unwavering opinions and conclusions? All kidding aside, I think the need to discuss all amps in the context of the speakers being used is essential to relevance of any assessment regarding said amp.

I do know there is some really nice synergy with my Tyler Decades and Rogue-several people have that system around here and elsewhere.

I noticed the Rogue M150s has a dampening factor closer to solid state levels, whereas the ARC tube amps spec much lower. Is that why some say Rogue has more of a modern tube sound?

I did have the ARC VT100 an really like it and would recommend it because it does so many things really well, but the bass could be a little fat and uncontrolled at times. At least on the speakers I used that were a little bassy too:)

The REF110 better be better as it cost twice as much.

I don't think ARC has a current offering that would be a good head to head challenge, imo.
It might be more interesting to compare the Rogue M150 monos with the QuickSilver V4 monos with VTL's ST-150 (stereo). All are about the same tube power and close in price-close enough. The closest ARC amp is the VS115, but that cost a little more too.

The best amp for the money is the Rogue M-180's. Awesome. Ref 110? wheres the bass? I will take the M-180 over the Ref 110 any day.The Rogue M-180 is the GIANT KILLER!Look out al you $10-$20k amps.

Has anyone had the Rogue 120 Magnum <> Rogue M-180 upgrade done? I know the price ($2,895).......but I'm wondering what parts from the 120's get used, if any?

I've only read info on the M-150 <> M-180 upgrade which of course costs a whole lot less.

I've had my 120's driving my Apogee Duetta Signatures for around 6 years now. The 120 Magnums sound great on the Apogees but they run very hot! Even hotter than the old Krell Ksa-250 they replaced.

Dave

I directly compared the Pass Labs XA100.5's and the Rogue M180's.. WOW the M180's better than the pass's. The rogues had much more control of the low end and equaled the pass on the midrange and highs. Anyone on he fence about the rogues should make the jump. They are amazing.. My next upgrade will probably be the Rogue Apollos, if the M180's sound this good I can't imagine what the Apollos sound like.

Rogue's Customer Service is beyond expectation, frankly.

Nick and Mark are a team like no others. I own an RP-1 Pre and an Atlas Magnum II and love them both. I am as we speak, ordering a set of M-180's to replace the Atlas and will eventually upgrade to the RP-7. I run these to a pair of Klipsh Forte III's and the sound is just fabulous and I am eagerly anticipating the monoblocks!