Rogue Audio and Audio Research Comparisons

I’ve had a full stack of current Rogue tube gear (phono + pre + power), have a full current VAC stack, and have the ARC Reference phono + pre. And I’ve mixed & matched these components a lot.

The Rogue tube power amps are excellent (the best components they make), and can absolutely hang with and benefit from more expensive upstream components by ARC or VAC. As far as my Rogue Apollo Darks versus twice as expensive VAC 200iQ monos, the Rogue is a bit dry and SS-like in midrange (VAC more lush and romantic here) but also has decidedly superior bass response. Seriously, the bass is amazing. It absolutely hangs, overall. The Apollo Darks (tons of power and dynamics) with VAC Master preamp (this injects some sweetness and just sounds amazing all-around) and Ref 3SE phono (best phono stage I’ve heard) is a really nice combination. Haven’t heard the ARC power amps in my system yet, though.

As far as the full Rogue stack phono + pre + power - no, that wasn’t my jam. I definitely prefer ARC and/or VAC upstream components. But then I’ve been told the new Ares II makes some good strides forward, and I haven’t heard that yet.

I did try the RP9 with Apollo Darks. Ref 6 or VAC Master is a better match in my system, even with the Apollo Darks. Actually the older Rogue Athena was a better match too. Hera II sounded really good but was too microphonic and noisy. RP9 sounded the most solid-state like out of all (and the Ref 6 is a hybrid too, though mostly tube). If my system was too warm and dark, the RP9 would be a great fit. Yes, it is very airy (so is the Ref 6). But I still feel the Master and Ref 6 are more refined and nuanced.

At least with the RP9 and Athena, a quad of 6H30 shouldn’t be terrible to source for a while and each set should last a long time. The ARC Reference components use 7 of these tubes each, and I'd be a little nervous if I didn't have spares.

The Apollo Dark’s bass impact and dynamics are superb. What did you mean "less" in reference to? Actually it can sometimes be TOO much here, with certain preamp / source and tube combinations (I like to use 12BH7 in place of 12AU7 which definitely contributes to this). I don’t like it to swamp the music, so system matching must be done with care. But it’s got more on tap there than the VAC 200iQ monos, for sure.