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Anyone trying out the Rogue Audio Dragon power amp?

Absolute Sound just gave the Rogue Audio Dragon power amp an impressive review and a 2020 Product of the Year award.  That being said, I have found that there is little in the way of user reviews.  Sadly, there are no close-in Rogue Audio dealers in near me, so I'm looking for others thoughts before I get in the car (post-vaccine) and drive a long distance to a dealer.    I am considering it as a power upgrade over my current vintage YBA Passion 400 power amp.  The YBA is currently run by a Prima Luna EVO 300 preamp and drives Harbeth 30.2s and an REL T/7i sub.  I primary stream through a Bluesound Node2 run through a Chord Qutest DAC.  I really do like the transparency of the YBA and the REL sub has certainly filled in the bottom end, but YBA's 100 wpc sometimes seems inadequate for my relatively inefficient Harbeth's (which I also love).  I know one option is to buy a newer, more powerful YBA, but I really don't know if the build quality of their amps is the same compared to my vintage 2005 amp.  The Rogue's 300 wpc seems appealing as does it's hybrid character.  Thoughts? 
bfleetwood
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,500 posts
 
I have not heard the DragoN. I have a Hydra which I purchased years ago based on a TAS review and still think it is one of the better, modestly priced amps in the market.  
Odds are the stock tubes will stink and you are going to want to roll in some NOS Mullards, Ciftes, etc... and it will sound underwhelming until you do.  
craiglboyd
1 posts
 

I just bought one. It's excellent. "Upgraded" from PS Audio M 700 monos. Running it to Monitor Audio Platinum 200 v1 with RME ADI dac from Eversolo DMP A6 streamer. Huge soundstage improvement. I rolled out the JJ Tubes for Golden Lions from the start. Very happy and also confused as to why there is very little written about this amp. I got one used for $2700 from TMR. Hopefully my ears never feel the need to wander again! LOL

avanti1960
1,480 posts
 

Heard the newer DragoN mono blocs two years in a row at AXPONA audio show driving Magnepan speakers, of which the sound signature of the stereo model should be identical.    

The sound was powerful, smooth and very enjoyable each time. Hard to beat for a reasonable cost, low weight high powered package.  

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,913 posts
 

The nCore modules it uses are superb, as I’ve enjoyed them in the NAD M22 (v1 and v2 sound largely the same to me). Being myself a longtime user of Rogue gear, and also co-admin of the Facebook Rogue fan group, I thought to try DragonN’s. Chatting with a fellow in that group whom I trust (we have similar findings on ARC gear) - he had owned the DragoN stereo and M22, and told me to stick with the NAD. That said, I would really have to hear for myself to be sure.

Btw even the M22 v1 will hit 300 Watts no problem, beating its spec. I do find it needs to be paired to a tube preamp. A SS pre with this amp is no fun at all. That must be the rational for the tube stage in the DragoN. BUT I’m not a fan of 12AU7 (which Rogue unfortunately seems to pick by default now), and also hate the JJ’s they typically ship gear with.

jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
990 posts
 

I ran a Rogue RP-1 pre and PS Audio S300 (Ice Power) for several years.  I upgraded the RP-1 with Mullards from Andy's Tube Services.   It made me a fan of running Tubed Pre with Class D amps.  Be interested to know how a nice Tubed Pre would sound with class D hybrid. 

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