Short update on the Rogue Pharaoh, after 2 short months of daily use it has gone south for the winter. Currently back at the birthplace for warranty repair. Although I really like the performance of the Pharaoh, when working properly, I now question it's reliability. It may of course have been a fluke. We will see when I hear something back from Rogue Audio. Rogue Audio representative was very helpful and professional and gave all information needed to return the unit. Note: shipping charges are not covered by warranty, return shipping is by digression of the manufacturer who decides whether or not they will pay for return shipping. I'll deal with that when it happens. Here is what went wrong with the Pharaoh, during use, phono, a pop was heard and the right channel went silent. I followed the instructions in the manual, checked all connections and reset unit. After first reset, again no right channel, after 2nd reset both channels producing sound but without any soundstage or depth. Mono? Turning balance knob either right or left changed nothing, both speakers continued to play. Same happened with all sources, not just phono. Well its back at the factory for diagnostics and repair, turn around time I am told is 4 to 5 days.
Match of Hybrid Rogue Pharaoh and B&W 803D2 speaker
At end of 2017 I contracted the tube virus. Seeking a cure I explored many medicines and advice from many sources audiogon and otherwise. Many wonderful experts in the field of tubelitis provided their expert conclusions suggesting treatment. Like any other disease treatment costs ranged from lower thousands to astronomical. Having terminal SS disease already for the past 40 years I decided to find treatment in the new hybrid integrated form of treatment against the advice of the experts. One form of my affliction is that I am addicted to concert sound and volume at times. Also I'm a Rockaholic with no regrets but enjoy all forms of musical artestry from A to Z , with the only known exeption of that stuff they call Rap, which I do not place in the catagory of musical artestry.
None of the tubelitis doctors could give me a definitive answer of how a hybrid pill would do with my existing other cure, B&W 803D2, I took a chance on a Rogue Pharaoh Hybrid Intergated. For those reading this, hybrid is a tube preamp married to a SS amplifier stage. In my case and concern was I needed a lot of power to drive the speakers to the levels I require. The Rogue amp is rated at 175W and the B&W are rated at 90db sensitivity at 8ohm.
Well here goes my experience since I married the two for my cure. I'm not a professional reviewer and there is no intent to plug any product. I do have a lot of time on my hands, retired, and listen critically for many hours each and every day in a dedicated and treated listening environment.
Attempted cure: Rogue Pharaoh Integrated
Supporting cast: B&W 803D2, Musical Fidelity A3cd, Sony PS4300 TT, Oppo BDP 103D
Medication(CD, LP, Streaming) AC/DC, Dire Straits, J. Mellencamp, JJ Cale, Little Feat, Wings, E.L. O, INXS, Alan Parsons, Pink Floyd, Supertramp, E. Clapton, Led Zeppelin Cream, Aerosmith, Eagles, Foghat, Good Charlotte, Genesis..........to name a few, lighter dosages of Smetana, Strauss, Mozart, Ravel, Bach.......
Findings: wow, just wow, the Rogue is everything I hoped for and more. It easily drives the speakers at any level up to 95db as measured on Radio Shack dB meter at listening position. At higher level some clarity is lost and it starts to sound a bit harsh therefor straining. No worries though for me as at 95db this place is rocking and rolling and it' rarely at this level. Most listening occurs between 60 and 80db and the Rogue takes it with ease and superb reproduction of the source. I'm truly impressed. It' a keeper for sure. Some of the most noticeable improvements over the SS equipment were: increased soundstage, depth, clarity, wide and airy, warmth. Also the absolute silence (black) is astonishing. Artists voices and inflections are totally reproduced and audible, reduced sibilance at the higher frequencies. Musical passages are just beautifully rendered in all their glory. Brushed cymbals are noticeable in its correct space. Highs are gorgeous and deep lows are fast and punchy.
Conclusion : the match between the Rogue and B&W is the best I've heard to date. I worried for no reason. Hybrid designs incorporate the best of 2 world' if done right. Tube anything is everything tube enthusiasts say it is and I regret not going there earlier in life. Shame on me for not getting the tubelitis disease earlier I have found my cure in the Rogue and B&W combination. In one months time it has become my go to system handily.
I have found the feature of preamp bypass really revealing as it allowed me to do a side by side comparison between the Lexicon SS preamp (MC12B) and the Rogue tube pre with a push of a button, and yes the difference is obvious. Also the Phono stage is incredible and I removed my seperates Phono stage (Rotel) from the system. I'm happy with the features and see no point in trying to improve, well maybe roll some tubes, but that's another subject.
So finally here is my final take on this. There is a way for tubies and SSties to get the best of both. Tubes do provide a nicer flavor of fidelity, at least in my opinion and everything in this thread is my take and opinion. I'm going to keep it to enjoy.
Contributing test equipment: Lexicon MC12B processor, Krell KAV 250 amp, Musical Fidelity A3cd, Sony PS4300 TT, Oppo BDP -103, B&W 803D2.
Final note: All SS equipment has been relegated to strict HT duty, no more double duty. Tube front end has sole duty of 2 channel reproduction.
I hope this helps someone who may be interested in getting tubelitis disease.
I do not know if a lesser powered tube amp would satisfy large B&W or any make speaker.
Hope you enjoyed the read.
None of the tubelitis doctors could give me a definitive answer of how a hybrid pill would do with my existing other cure, B&W 803D2, I took a chance on a Rogue Pharaoh Hybrid Intergated. For those reading this, hybrid is a tube preamp married to a SS amplifier stage. In my case and concern was I needed a lot of power to drive the speakers to the levels I require. The Rogue amp is rated at 175W and the B&W are rated at 90db sensitivity at 8ohm.
Well here goes my experience since I married the two for my cure. I'm not a professional reviewer and there is no intent to plug any product. I do have a lot of time on my hands, retired, and listen critically for many hours each and every day in a dedicated and treated listening environment.
Attempted cure: Rogue Pharaoh Integrated
Supporting cast: B&W 803D2, Musical Fidelity A3cd, Sony PS4300 TT, Oppo BDP 103D
Medication(CD, LP, Streaming) AC/DC, Dire Straits, J. Mellencamp, JJ Cale, Little Feat, Wings, E.L. O, INXS, Alan Parsons, Pink Floyd, Supertramp, E. Clapton, Led Zeppelin Cream, Aerosmith, Eagles, Foghat, Good Charlotte, Genesis..........to name a few, lighter dosages of Smetana, Strauss, Mozart, Ravel, Bach.......
Findings: wow, just wow, the Rogue is everything I hoped for and more. It easily drives the speakers at any level up to 95db as measured on Radio Shack dB meter at listening position. At higher level some clarity is lost and it starts to sound a bit harsh therefor straining. No worries though for me as at 95db this place is rocking and rolling and it' rarely at this level. Most listening occurs between 60 and 80db and the Rogue takes it with ease and superb reproduction of the source. I'm truly impressed. It' a keeper for sure. Some of the most noticeable improvements over the SS equipment were: increased soundstage, depth, clarity, wide and airy, warmth. Also the absolute silence (black) is astonishing. Artists voices and inflections are totally reproduced and audible, reduced sibilance at the higher frequencies. Musical passages are just beautifully rendered in all their glory. Brushed cymbals are noticeable in its correct space. Highs are gorgeous and deep lows are fast and punchy.
Conclusion : the match between the Rogue and B&W is the best I've heard to date. I worried for no reason. Hybrid designs incorporate the best of 2 world' if done right. Tube anything is everything tube enthusiasts say it is and I regret not going there earlier in life. Shame on me for not getting the tubelitis disease earlier I have found my cure in the Rogue and B&W combination. In one months time it has become my go to system handily.
I have found the feature of preamp bypass really revealing as it allowed me to do a side by side comparison between the Lexicon SS preamp (MC12B) and the Rogue tube pre with a push of a button, and yes the difference is obvious. Also the Phono stage is incredible and I removed my seperates Phono stage (Rotel) from the system. I'm happy with the features and see no point in trying to improve, well maybe roll some tubes, but that's another subject.
So finally here is my final take on this. There is a way for tubies and SSties to get the best of both. Tubes do provide a nicer flavor of fidelity, at least in my opinion and everything in this thread is my take and opinion. I'm going to keep it to enjoy.
Contributing test equipment: Lexicon MC12B processor, Krell KAV 250 amp, Musical Fidelity A3cd, Sony PS4300 TT, Oppo BDP -103, B&W 803D2.
Final note: All SS equipment has been relegated to strict HT duty, no more double duty. Tube front end has sole duty of 2 channel reproduction.
I hope this helps someone who may be interested in getting tubelitis disease.
I do not know if a lesser powered tube amp would satisfy large B&W or any make speaker.
Hope you enjoyed the read.
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