Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III


I’ve been putting a new system together and was initially decided on a solid state integrated, but I’m starting to have a change of heart and thinking about going for a tube-based integrated instead. 

The Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III (non Dark Edition) has piqued my interest based on the positive reviews I’ve read and the recommendation of an authorized dealer I’ve been working with.  My only source will be a turntable so I also need a high-quality phono stage.  With a desire to keep things simple, a built-in, flexible MC/MM phono stage like that in the Cronus Magnum would be a definite plus.

Before I decide to pursue the Rogue Audio integrated, I was hoping current or previous owners could weigh in.  In particular, how reliable has the product been?  In terms of sound quality, I have heard it said that it sounds more like a solid state amplifier than a tube amplifier, so that has given me a bit of pause.  The other reason I’m hesitant is that I see quite a few of them for sale online right now, which makes me wonder why - unless it’s just a matter of typical audiophile fickleness/upgraditis and not a reflection on the quality of the product cheeky

I should mention that I’ll be using a pair of ProAc Tablette Reference 8 Signature loudspeakers (which are fairly easy to drive), and my current listening room is pretty compact at 11’ x 13’

If you’ve got any thoughts about the integrated, then I’d love to hear them.

Thanks in advance!

 

lpluvr

Current Cronus III owner. Previously owned one, sold it, and immediately regretted my decision. My current unit runs KT120 tubes and would not change a thing, although I might try KT88 tubes in the future. 

My listening space is relatively small (11x13) so there is more than enough power for the Omega CAM monitors and SVS subs (able to connect to 2 subs was a selling feature). This is likely my last amp and will just consider factory upgrades.

Bottom line - you cannot go wrong with this amp, and you have no trouble selling it if you want or need to.   

 

Current owner of the Cronus Dark. My previous amp was a Rogue Audio Pharaoh hybrid. You won’t go wrong with anything from Rogue Audio. Their service is first class, and manufacturing is rock solid. The phono stage in the Cronus is more than acceptable, and will serve you well until you decide to upgrade to a separate phono stage. I use Psvane Summit KT-88’s and Psvane Horizon 12AX7’s. My 12AU7’s are Ray’s Select. I’m driving Klipsch Cornwall IV’s with it, and the sound is excellent. 

If you get the Cronus make sure to get some respectable tubes. I use Gold Lion (Reissue) as power tubes and NOS Sylvania Jan tubes in pre-amp section. I think with many brands, one can always increase the performance and sound with better tubes. I think most audiophiles would agree that different amp topologies and designs will give a distinct sound signature. I have been drawn to tubes upon listening to my first tube amps. That is why I have two integrated tubes amps in two separate systems. A tube phono preamp in another and a tube line stage preamp in a fourth system.

Current Cronus Magnum 2 owner here. Absolutely love it. Powerful and transparent and neutral warm. Unless I have Financial needs, I can't see myself ever really selling this. I'm using Sophia Electric kt88 and electro-harmonics kt88. The Magnum 2 and the Magnum 3 are beautiful amps for an amazing price.

Bought a CM3 for an older friend on Kauai 5 years ago. At 84 she still listens almost daily as background music. I was over there a few weeks ago and listening thru her Gallo 3.1 speakers. She is still happy with the amp and I am asking myself why I never got one for myself (especially after getting a Hegel H120 and being unexcited by it). We had one issue with it a few years ago and emailed Rogue on a weekend hoping to get an answer I could address before leaving 5 days later, which I stated in the email. 4 hours later they had searched out her location and called on the phone on a Saturday. DAMN good service. Guy talked me thru some diagnosis and it turned out just to be a tube that got jarred when she was digging around behind her rack...she is an active 80+er. Reseated it and the amp was good to go. I have not heard the Magnum or Dark versions but I would not hesitate to recommend this amp and company. I went with Hegel after LOTS of pro talk on forums and in retrospect should have just gone with something I had already heard.