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Looking for integrated better than my Rogue Sphinx

I have owned a Rogue Sphinx integrated amp for two years (100RMS). I don't have any specific complaints about its performance except at times when played loud, it sounds like it is clipping and delivering more distortion than clean signal. The Rogue retailed at time of purchased for $1325.00 (remote cost $100 bucks more). I thought it wise to check around with members as to their opinions about a step up in sound quality from the Rogue integrated before starting any serious searches.

Most higher end integrated amps today are decked out like cuckoo clocks and so this might be tough one. I have read a lot of good things about the Hegal integrated amps, but don't need a DAC unless it is going to be superior to the one in my Ayre CX-7emp CD player. In addition, I have no interest in computer audio and many of the accessory features of the newer amps will be useless to me.

However, I will need an MM phono stage, and will miss the one in the Rogue which is first rate.

Is it worth while to take a look at some of the older, highly praised integrateds, like Sim-Moon series of 7 years ago, or Krell, Vincent, Musical Fidelity, and possibly Conrad Johnson. CJ offered an integrated amp about 10 years ago and tagged it at $6500. It was rated 200RMS, but had no inboard phono stage It got excellent reviews at the time, though never took the market by storm ( probably because of its price tag in a depressed market) .

Having more power than 100RMS would be nice, but not a priority. My speakers are (newly acquired) Golden Ear Technology Model 7; so far, an extraordinary sounding speaker considering its price of $1400 per pair. Thanks to all
sunnyjim

Showing 6 responses by sunnyjim

sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
To Mr M. One of the two Rogue Pharoahs had pre-amp or output stage tubes changed. I believe the the seller is the second owner, and praised the sound improvement, I guess he previously heard the standard version. I am not sure who made the tubes, but I believe they were purchased at Upland Stereo in California. He did not go into details of how the sound was changed.

Some member recommended a similar tube roll for the Sphinx which I never got around to doing. For the record, the Sphinx and Pharaoh use the same phono circuits, and same design of the headphone amp. The remote is the same also. So basically, only increase in power distinguishes the two, though I have been informed that much better parts are used in the Pharoah over the Sphinx As far as those additional inputs and processor loops I could care less

To Soix, see the above; I guess; more power usually is a plus, and could make "X" amount of difference in sound quality. However, even with a healthy resale return on the Sphinx, I would still have to put in about $1100-1400 more from either of the available Pharoahs currently on sale on AG, plus another $70-$100 for shipping I am looking to achieve with more power to get a fuller sound from my current speakers, GET's

7. Another members Dweller, claims he recommended the BAT 300SE integrated several times to me, also suggested to have the cap upgrade done. I don't recall either. Unfortunately, used 300SE's come few and far between, and usually command $3000-3400 at resale Also,I have no idea what the "cap" upgrade would cost, but it will not be cheap. Plus, tube replacements could be expensive.

To Austinbob, the Luxman 505U is a beautiful looking integrated, but I always associated Japanese designed and manufactured electronics as clean, accurate but bright, etched sound, and canned. I am probably wrong, but I have owned a few Luxman amps over the years, however, not expensive ones, Thanks again to all
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
To Samac, What magazine was this comparative review?? I did see a review of the Arcam A-19 in the last issue of either TAS or Stereophile. Is this the review?? If not, please send me the link to that review Thanks, Jim

To Plato, I came very close to buying the Rogue Cronus Magnum II with the KT120 tubes, but did not want to spend the extra $1000 over the cost of Sphinx Also, I was mindful that often tube amps can have a higher noise floor. Also, did not want to get caught up into tube rolling. The Rogue Sphinx is a very good product, and I have no guarantee that CM will provide a marked improvement in the sound, unless I can find a local dealer who will loan me one for the weekend

To Mi8764ag, The Rogue Pharoah might be a great choice, but it retails for (I think) $3800. The dealer I bought the Sphinx from was in NYC and had them on sale, but not the Pharoah at the time. I would probably get badly beat-up on any trade-in toward $3800. and have to spend $100 bucks to ship it to NYC. Even if he gives me $1000-$1100, I will still need to come up with at least $2700-2800. He might spot me the shipping. but I doubt it

So. add another $150-200 to the final receipt for roundtrip shipping to Los Angeles A local dealer might work a similar deal, but I would have to pay 8.5% sales tax on $2800. Regardless, I still would have to be convinced either by audition or a variety of strong reviews, that the Pharoah is much better across the board than Sphinx. I know that the quality of its parts are better...but

Roksan Caspian II integrated?? Maybe, but only, if I can hear it with the red lights turned o0n. Thanks to all other who responded so far
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
To Dweller, I definitely will check out if there are any BAT 300 SE available on AG, or possibly E-bay, and will precede from there,if I think the price is right, and the cap upgrade is reasonable.

Fortunately,In SoCal, there is Upscale Audio which is the premier dealer possibly in the Southwest for purchase of replacement tubes, and also to get solid advice.

Mtbrider. Sounds like good advice, worth at least Upscale Audio's free consultation service. You also mentioned and recommended the Anthem 225 integrated. One of our members recommended this unit to me several times, but I was never overwhelmed by the reviews, and just assumed it was another above average IA. I know the 225 model has been available for probably 10 years,maybe more; however, they don't come up that often o AG. Thanks to all who responded
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
To Lowrider, I used to know much more about the advantages of a high current amp and high damping factor. I am NOT sure they are related. My understanding is that high current amps produce a stable output of power that is coherent across the amp's impedance range A good choice for electrostatics, and planars, ribbon and piezo electric tweeters. Whereas, HIGH DAMPING FACTOR offers much greater control over woofer movement allowing for tighter and deeper bass.

However, that said and assuming you are right, what high current integrated amps are on the market that also are very good in other areas of performance, e.g. highs, transparency, overall musicality?? If you know of a few, please let me know.

In the meantime, I shall stay the course. I am not in a hurry to abandon the Rogue Sphinx, and not entirely sure the amp is clipping at high volume settings.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

Unfortunately, I let this thread get passed me, so I want to thank  every member who responded since my last appearance on it

I want to update those who were kind enough to respond that I still have the Rogue Sphinx v1. I found out before CES 2016, that Rogue had issued an updated version of Sphinx v1 which is now in full production. Unfortunately, updating v1 version to v.2 is  $400 plus shipping both ways. I live on the West Coast, so figure at least $200 to round trip the amp which weighs about 30 lbs boxed. which In my opinion this STINKS.They could at least pay the shipping  both ways.

Steve Guttenberg wrote a review of v2 on March 16 2016 for CNET and raved about the improvements 1) a revised and improved MM/MC stage that is quieter 2) The addition of 3 more RCA inputs 3) the head phone amp  has been improved, probably meaning it has a higher output. 4) Mark O'Brien redesigned the circuit board, and claims the overall sound quality has been improved  ( hopefully less noisy than the original!!).   However, the remote up volume is still too great and you can't quite get the setting you would like......That's just great!! 

Let me mention, that I was advised by another member to upgrade the stock output tubes to Mullards 4003V in August, 2015. It made a difference in taking off some of the edge off the class D amp Rogue uses. The two tubes cost $185.00. 

For new buyers the price of the v2 is the same, plus $100 extra for a slightly revised remote that has a mute switch.

After  almost of 5 years of owning Sphinx v1, I am caught between a rock and hard place, because if I sell it to just move it, I will take a bath on the original price I paid,  However, the changes that were made could pay dividends, for example, the MM stage offers not enough gain for a high out coil. I used a Dynavector 10X5  with it and had to crank the volume to 2'oclock to get decent volume for LP play.  Hopefully the new MC leg of the phono stage  has enough gain to support the lower output MC's like the Denons or AT's, etc.  So, I need to consider my options because I now own a pair of Golden Ear Technology model 7's which sounds very good, but also very dead and lifeless.  I may audition the new Magneplana  .7 speaker which has received very good reviews

However, Maggies need lots of power and are a pain in the butt tot set up in an average size room   Cheers!!.      

sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

I want to thank all the members who responded to this thread and offered advice and recommendations 

 I decided to go with separates and currently am  looking for a pre-amp. If you tuned into some of my more recent threads,  I recently purchased a used BAT VK-200 amp. It has been a  revelation. I now understand what seeing into the music and recording means  

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