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Jolida 1501RC hybrid integrated vs. Rogue's Sphinx

I was all set to purchase Rogue's (new) Sphinx hybrid integrated amp, when I came across an excellent internet sale for a minty Jolida 1501RC. The attraction was saving almost $800.

The Jolida model was first issued in 2004 and is 100wpc and also a hybrid integrated. It does lacks a phono stage which the Rogue offers. I do not know of the official age of the Jolida unit for sale, but am inquiring with the buyer.

However, I have no way to audition either amp side by side or individually. Therefore, can someone inform me as to whether the Jolida 1501RC is a quality product compared to the Rogue's Sphinx integrated which has received two very good reviews

There always seems to be tons of Jolida products for sale on AG. Is Jolida reaching for mid-fi status by offering so many models and options????......... Thanks
sunnyjim
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,682 posts
 
Don't know how much it matters in this case but teh Jolida is older and teh Rogue newer. That might matter even more than with most technology still in the case of the Class D amps used in teh Rogue. The Rogue uses Hypex Class D amp technology, not sure what model, generation or how old the ones used specifically are, but I have a lot of faith in anything that says Rogue on it more so than Jolida in general.
tbromgard
814 posts
 
I have listened to both and both are good. I like the Rogue better. IMO/in my system it sounded better, and has a nice phono stage. Plus its American made.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 
Thanks to all who have responded so far. Regarding other Rogue products, I believe I read that Rogue's Cronos Magnum sounds better than the Sphinx,... that is smoother with a deeper and wider sound stage. However, it is all tubes, needs occasional rebiasing, and nothing can be stacked on it because it has no flat chassis like the Sphinx integrated

If anyone has an opinion about the sound quality of Rogue's Cronus Magnum, please share them with us.

BTW, CM integrated is a about $1000 more than the newer Sphinx with the same phono stage...... Again, many thanks to all who have contributed so far.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Now you're entering into the world of tubes so you'll have to take into consideration the speakers you intend to drive. Do your speakers need SS to get the most out of them or are they tube friendly?

I've heard the 90 watt Cronus Magnum and it is excellent. The new Cronus has the KT120 output tubes, so hopefully someone here can give you an answer.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,682 posts
 
Cronus Magnum is a very fine tube integrated and sounds fantastic with the right speakers to match.

HAve not heard the Sphinx hybrid yet. Need to get down to my local Rogue dealer and see if he has it. I would expect similar good results but not best performance with the same speakers as CM. CM works best with higher efficiency, higher impedance "easier to drive" speakers and also well with planars, like Magnepan. Sphinx I would expect good results with all speaker types, including smaller modern designs that are less efficient, harder to drive, and attempt to squeeze more low end bass response out of a smaller box and drivers. With planars like MAggies, either might come out on top, not quite as sure, but I would give the edge to CM.
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