Cary SLP98 preamp and Rogue 100 dark amp or Cronus 3


I have a Cary SLP98p preamp in my closet.

I am using a Rogue Cronus 3 integrated amp right now.

I have a chance to get a good deal on a Rogue 100 that has been upgraded to the dark version power amp.

i am trying to decide if I want to use the stereo 100 dark with my Cary preamp or send my Rogue Cronus 3 in to upgrade to dark for $1400.00.

Would the separates be considerably better than the upgraded Cronus 3 dark integrated.

i would probably prefer the integrated space wise on my rack and for convenience.

I am using Magnepan .7 speakers or Falcon ls3/5 gold badge speakers right now.

thanks for any help.

 

 

dylanfan

Have you simply tried your Cary Preamp with your existing Rogue Integrated?

I use my McIntosh MX110z tube tuner/preamp into my Cayin A88T Tube Integrated.

I leave my Cayin remote volume centered, leave my preamp's vintage manual volume centered, and use my Chase RLC-1 remote line controller to get both remote volume and remote balance if/when needed.

When I compare cartridges, I make temp pencil marks on my Cayin Vol control for each to get their volumes similar 

No I have not. Did not even think about the Cary with the Cronus. Would that work?

That’s a great idea.

thanks.

I pair my Cary SLP-98L preamp with 6SN7 tubes to two different amplifier setups.  

Pairing either my Quicksilver Mono 120 tube amplifiers with KT120s (at this time) -or- paring with my Forte Audio Model 3/1 upgraded pure Class A  solid state (Pass) amplifier.  The engaging sound it yields and the type of sound I prefer is a result of using this preamp in front of either of these amplifier setups.    

If you dig it out of the closet and plan to use it, I think its worth having the 98 preamp checked out, also to verify and test what caps are inside, and you can also change the coupling caps inside to help lean the sound in a direction you might prefer. There are many posts on a variety of 6SN7s you can use in the Cary 98, and having done quite a bit of experimentation with this myself, its quite fun to discover the caps and tubes you might enjoy trying in the Cary 98 alone. Enjoy!

@dylanfan 

Love the Cary preamp- talk about holographic sound stage!  (I currently own the SLP-05, the 98's big bro). 

I owned the Cronus Magnum II with KT120s and also the Stereo 100.  The Stereo 100 is pleasing more dynamic and bigger sounding than the Cronus, despite the similar power rating.  It was instantly noticeable as soon as I powered up the 100 for he first time.  I say go Cary / Rogue all the way.