2. amps-preamps
  3. 1015296094

Integrated Shootout: Rogue Tempest/Cary Sli80 sig

The Cary is stock re: all tubes except power tubes, the 6922 tubes are Sovtek, the 5u4g tubes are Sovtek as well, the 6sn7 tubes are Chinese, and the power tubes are Svet 6550 and Electro Harmonix 6550EH.
The Rogue has the Sovtek 12ax7 and JAN Phillips 12au7(tube upgrade from Rogue) and the same power tubes (Svet 6550, EH 6550EH).

Ok. The Cary is a bit more refined. Alot, actually. But the Cary with stock tubes, is brighter (I can't believe I think it sounds bright, but it does).
The Rogue had soundstage DEPTH out the yin-yang, while the Cary is more 2-D (I don't like this at all).
As far as Soundstage width , the Cary is wider, but with the depth lacking so, it seems more "fake" than the Rogue.
The Rogue, because of it's depth and acceptable width, sounds more like music in real space, but with a more "tubey" sound (it sounds colored, but the coloring makes it sound real), while the Cary's tone is purer and the pace more lively, but because of the brightness and flat soundstage, it seems to suffer by comparison. Both throw an image very, very well.

I am going to be tweaking around with some 6sn7 and 6922 tubes for the Cary, in an effort to get the brightness out (I know this can be fixed) and most importantly, the soundstage depth up to snuff. I just wanted to post my results so far. The Tempest, with the upgraded preamp tubes from Rogue (I think a $100 option) gets the nod vs the totally stock Sli80.

This is going to get good.... stay tuned.
Opinions are appreciated...
gthirteen
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drubin
3,267 posts
 
Gthirteen, are you able to play at all with power cords on these amps? They can be an effective way to adjust brightness with some components, but finding the right match can take some time. A Black Mamba might do the trick on the Cary.
david99
1,467 posts
 
Why do some people have such a problem with the Rega Planet? Because it so popular and doesnt cost $3-5K?The Rega Planet will get ya 95% of what the "$best$" players have to offer.Digital products are so close in sound quality I feel its a waste to spend mega bucks on a CD player.You want that very last 3-5% of 'improvement'then lay down the big green.I have a player that sounds very,very good.I have a player that looks real cool and is fun to use.I have a very popular CD player that will hold its value if I decide to sell it(I wont)I didnt pay out the ass for a player that gets me most of the way there.Most of my money goes into analog.I wanted a really good CD player that wouldnt cost me a lot.I found it with the Planet.This CD player sounds and looks great.I know my ears and this is a very musical CD player.
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
I would take the cheaper Rotel 971 over the planet any day. So it's not just that more expensive players are better it's that cheaper ones are!
david99
1,467 posts
 
have you done a side by side with a Planet and anything?
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
Oh yeah Man ! I'm not one of those guys who talks out of my behind. I think though we can settle as sying that perhaps it is more personal taste and associated equipment. I just think that it is a little nutty when some affordable piece of gear gets a good review and everybody runs after it thinking it's a giant killer. Or like all the great reviews of Patricia Barber trying to pass her off as a Jazz singer uhhg.
Finally back to the original post my comments were to make the point that the Rogue products are so good that they really do outclass the little Planet and that I really feel that much more bang for the buck improvements lie with the front end. Have fun, give it a try.
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