Rogue Audio Cronus 12AU7-12AX7 tubes choices

Sebastien1,

I know this is off topic, but I've seen your postings on Audiogon and HUG in relation to the Harbeth SHL5. I don't know if you are still using that speaker, but it's one I've been most interested in. Are you using the Cronus with the SHL5? I saw that you had some experience with the Luxman integrateds. I believe you had the 505u, and one of the Class A amps, and was wondering why you chose to go the Cronus route after hearing the Luxmans. I've been interested in the Cronus, and have heard the Magnum version at a local dealer , but was hoping to hear your experiences with various Luxmans and Rogues with the Harbeth. I haven't had a chance to start auditioning amps yet, but would appreciate anything you could share about your experiences. I was also wondering if you had any thoughts on the strengths of the Cronus relative to the Magnum version and Luxman integrateds. Any of your thoughts on these questions would be appreciated. I’d be willing to spend the extra money on the one of the Luxmans or the Magnum version of the Rogue if it were worthwhile, but would prefer to save the extra money for music, so it’d be great to hear someone who has heard the Rogue/Harbeth combination after having heard the other combinations. So far, I have the usual suspects of LFD and Luxman on my audition list, based on reviews and forums, but there hasn’t been much about the Cronus/Harbeth combination, aside from a brief mention in Stereophile re: Son Ideal at the Montréal show last year.

Thanks in advance for your time!

Anonymoustao,

Well, let's continue off topic because I don't have other way to communicate with you. First, I still use Harbeth SHL5 and I really appreciate them. In the last year, I had the chance to try many amplifiers with them. I had a great time with two Luxman and I like both the L-505u and L-590AII. The 505u have a dryer bass with the SHL5 but on every aspects, the L-590AII is more interesting with these speakers: voices so natural, fabulous sound of strings instruments, easy on the ear, refine, musical and organic.

The main reason I went back to a "cheaper" amplfier ($2000 vs. $9500) is that I judge that in my system and budget limitation it wasn't worth it. So, I switch back to the Rogue Audio Cronus, which we talk in this thread.

Surprisingly, with the Harbeth, the Cronus does things that even the L-590AII didn't. Good for me! The soundstage is wider and deeper and the timber of intruments are more accurate.

The influence I had to go with the Rogue is that my Harbeth dealer often demo them with Harbeth speakers and that combination plays MUSIC! So, I demo the Cronus at home and enjoy it. It was my first time with EL34 tubes amp and I like it so much. I don't have any regret about the switch I made and I've got back few thousands in my pocket.

Finally, if you'd like to have other information on this subject, we could create a new thread. I'll be happy to contribute.

Let me know.

I've tried RCA clear tops in both the pre-amp and the driver positions. I found them lacking in body/fullness in the former but, with warm pre-amp, phase splitter and power tubes, good in the driver openings. They have really nice, extended highs.

Is there any of you that use 6211 tubes instead of the 12AU7? I know that they are not compatible with every amplifier but when they can, they are a good improvement.