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Match of Hybrid Rogue Pharaoh and B&W 803D2 speaker

At end of 2017 I contracted the tube virus. Seeking a cure I explored many medicines and advice from many sources audiogon and otherwise. Many wonderful experts in the field of tubelitis provided their expert conclusions suggesting treatment. Like any other disease treatment costs ranged from lower thousands to astronomical. Having terminal SS disease already for the past 40 years I decided to find treatment in the new hybrid integrated form of treatment against the advice of the experts. One form of my affliction is that I am addicted to concert sound and volume at times. Also I'm a Rockaholic with no regrets but enjoy all forms of musical artestry from A to Z , with the only known exeption of that stuff they call Rap, which I do not place in the catagory of musical artestry. 
None of the tubelitis doctors could give me a definitive answer of how a hybrid pill would do with my existing other cure, B&W 803D2, I took a chance on a Rogue Pharaoh Hybrid Intergated. For those reading this, hybrid is a tube preamp married to a SS amplifier stage. In my case and concern was I needed a lot of power to drive the speakers to the levels I require. The Rogue amp is rated at 175W and the B&W are rated at 90db sensitivity at 8ohm. 
Well here goes my experience since I married the two for my cure. I'm not a professional reviewer and there is no intent to plug any product. I do have a lot of time on my hands, retired, and listen critically for many hours each and every day in a dedicated and treated listening environment. 
Attempted cure: Rogue Pharaoh Integrated
Supporting cast: B&W 803D2, Musical Fidelity A3cd,  Sony PS4300 TT, Oppo BDP 103D
Medication(CD, LP, Streaming) AC/DC, Dire Straits, J. Mellencamp,  JJ Cale, Little Feat, Wings, E.L. O, INXS, Alan Parsons, Pink Floyd, Supertramp, E. Clapton, Led Zeppelin  Cream, Aerosmith, Eagles, Foghat, Good Charlotte,  Genesis..........to name a few, lighter dosages of Smetana,  Strauss,  Mozart,  Ravel, Bach.......
Findings: wow, just wow, the Rogue is everything I hoped for and more. It easily drives the speakers at any level up to 95db as measured on Radio Shack dB meter at listening position. At higher level some clarity is lost and it starts to sound a bit harsh therefor straining. No worries though for me as at 95db this place is rocking and rolling and it' rarely at this level. Most listening occurs between 60 and 80db and the Rogue takes it with ease and superb reproduction of the source. I'm truly impressed. It' a keeper for sure. Some of the most noticeable improvements over the SS equipment were: increased soundstage, depth, clarity, wide and airy, warmth. Also the absolute silence (black) is astonishing. Artists voices and inflections are totally reproduced and audible, reduced sibilance at the higher frequencies. Musical passages are just beautifully rendered in all their glory. Brushed cymbals are noticeable in its correct space. Highs are gorgeous and deep lows are fast and punchy.
Conclusion : the match between the Rogue and B&W is the best I've heard to date. I worried for no reason. Hybrid designs incorporate the best of 2 world' if done right. Tube anything is everything tube enthusiasts say it is and I regret not going there earlier in life. Shame on me for not getting the tubelitis disease earlier I have found my cure in the Rogue and B&W combination. In one months time it has become my go to system handily. 
I have found the feature of preamp bypass really revealing as it allowed me to do a side by side comparison between the Lexicon SS preamp (MC12B) and the Rogue tube pre with a push of a button, and yes the difference is obvious. Also the Phono stage is incredible and I removed my seperates Phono stage (Rotel) from the system. I'm happy with the features and see no point in trying to improve,  well maybe roll some tubes, but that's another subject.

So finally here is my final take on this. There is a way for tubies and SSties to get the best of both. Tubes do provide a nicer flavor of fidelity, at least in my opinion and everything in this thread is my take and opinion. I'm going to keep it to enjoy.
Contributing test equipment: Lexicon MC12B processor,  Krell KAV 250 amp, Musical Fidelity A3cd,  Sony PS4300 TT, Oppo BDP -103, B&W 803D2.
Final note: All SS equipment has been relegated to strict HT duty, no more double duty. Tube front end has sole duty of 2 channel reproduction.

I hope this helps someone who may be interested in getting tubelitis disease. 
I do not know if a lesser powered tube amp would satisfy large B&W or any make speaker.
Hope you enjoyed the read.
128x128gillatgh

Showing 4 responses by helomech

helomech
1,494 posts
 
I had a much different experience with the Pharaoh. Sure it had power, but completely cut off the lowest octaves of the music. It wasn’t apparent until I compared it with my old class AB amp.

Once I got into full tube amps I realized these Rogue hybrids have little if any tube magic. I found the CMII has a much wider and more 3-dimensional sound stage. Clarity and resolution also bested the Pharaoh. I’m telling you this because in my experience, the CMII was a much better value and unless you’re stuck with the Pharaoh, I think you should consider the CM. I really can’t understand how Rogue markets the Pharaoh as its flagship integrated when the CMII is far better. I can only guess it’s because it can pair with a greater variety of lifestyles and speakers. 

I apologize for raining on your parade, but that was my my honest experience and I thought it worth sharing in case others are weighing these two options. 
helomech
1,494 posts
 
It was at moderate volumes where I noticed these Rogue hybrids were rolling off the bass. At higher volumes it seemed to level out. Anyway, it’s a good amp overall. One could do a lot worse. You definitely don’t have to worry about clipping with any real-world speaker.
helomech
1,494 posts
 
@mapman 

I was referring to low octave bass at low volumes, like 70db. I often listen around an average SPL of 70db and at those volumes, the Pharoah seemed to cut all the bass below about 50Hz. When I swapped it out for my old Yamaha amp, those low octaves returned. Just for reference, that was with Monitor Audio Silver 8s and Epos Epic 2s.
helomech
1,494 posts
 
I personally think many underestimate what 100 watts or even 40 watts of tube power can achieve, even with low efficiency speakers. It largely depends on the quality of the transformers and tube type. KT120s have a ton of grunt. I have no doubt a CMII could easily drive your speakers within sane volumes.
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