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Looking for integrated better than my Rogue Sphinx

I have owned a Rogue Sphinx integrated amp for two years (100RMS). I don't have any specific complaints about its performance except at times when played loud, it sounds like it is clipping and delivering more distortion than clean signal. The Rogue retailed at time of purchased for $1325.00 (remote cost $100 bucks more). I thought it wise to check around with members as to their opinions about a step up in sound quality from the Rogue integrated before starting any serious searches.

Most higher end integrated amps today are decked out like cuckoo clocks and so this might be tough one. I have read a lot of good things about the Hegal integrated amps, but don't need a DAC unless it is going to be superior to the one in my Ayre CX-7emp CD player. In addition, I have no interest in computer audio and many of the accessory features of the newer amps will be useless to me.

However, I will need an MM phono stage, and will miss the one in the Rogue which is first rate.

Is it worth while to take a look at some of the older, highly praised integrateds, like Sim-Moon series of 7 years ago, or Krell, Vincent, Musical Fidelity, and possibly Conrad Johnson. CJ offered an integrated amp about 10 years ago and tagged it at $6500. It was rated 200RMS, but had no inboard phono stage It got excellent reviews at the time, though never took the market by storm ( probably because of its price tag in a depressed market) .

Having more power than 100RMS would be nice, but not a priority. My speakers are (newly acquired) Golden Ear Technology Model 7; so far, an extraordinary sounding speaker considering its price of $1400 per pair. Thanks to all
sunnyjim
andysf's avatar
andysf
269 posts
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Audio_Group

Melbaguy1. Where did you hear that Luxman was PRC owned and manufactured? Important to me since I am about to buy a Luxman amp! It seemed to me that when I was researching the brand that they were pretty open about what they made in China (L-305, SQ 30) and what was made in Japan.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
To Lowrider, I used to know much more about the advantages of a high current amp and high damping factor. I am NOT sure they are related. My understanding is that high current amps produce a stable output of power that is coherent across the amp's impedance range A good choice for electrostatics, and planars, ribbon and piezo electric tweeters. Whereas, HIGH DAMPING FACTOR offers much greater control over woofer movement allowing for tighter and deeper bass.

However, that said and assuming you are right, what high current integrated amps are on the market that also are very good in other areas of performance, e.g. highs, transparency, overall musicality?? If you know of a few, please let me know.

In the meantime, I shall stay the course. I am not in a hurry to abandon the Rogue Sphinx, and not entirely sure the amp is clipping at high volume settings.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
As you know, it all has to do with amp/speaker matching and I don't believe the Sphinx can deliver enough current into a low impedance load.

My understanding is that high current amps produce a stable output of power that is coherent across the amp's impedance range

Yes, that's true, but what if the speaker load is not stable? An amp that delivers high current can drive low impedance spikes in the bass frequencies with authority, and will have plenty of reserve power so that it does not go into clipping. There will be no distortion and the speaker will sound more dynamic.
It will handle transients at all frequencies with power to spare.
An example of a high current amp is one that can double it's power from an 8 ohm load to a 4 ohm. e.g., 300wpc/8ohms, 600wpc/4ohms.

I don't think high current and damping factor are related, any well designed amp can have a high damping factor.
A driver with a voice coil is in a magnetic field and for each motion, the coil generates current to the amp. The damping factor is like using the brakes on the voice coil and driver.

Jim, you don't need an amp that doubles it's power to drive your new speakers, but you do need a bigger amp, at least 200wpc.
I've always owned separates, but maybe look for a used Music Fidelity amp.
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greginnh
382 posts
 
Melbguy, I would love for you to cite your source for your statement about Luxman being sold to the Chinese. It is simply not true based on my conversation with the US importer. Perhaps you are confused with another brand?
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
Greg, you are getting into legal questions I am not prepared to comment
on. You obviously want to ruin some people's life's here. I gave an opinion
on this forum, you're free to disagree. Please refer any further questions to
Luxman or your lawyer, as I'm out of this discussion.
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