To Samac, What magazine was this comparative review?? I did see a review of the Arcam A-19 in the last issue of either TAS or Stereophile. Is this the review?? If not, please send me the link to that review Thanks, Jim
To Plato, I came very close to buying the Rogue Cronus Magnum II with the KT120 tubes, but did not want to spend the extra $1000 over the cost of Sphinx Also, I was mindful that often tube amps can have a higher noise floor. Also, did not want to get caught up into tube rolling. The Rogue Sphinx is a very good product, and I have no guarantee that CM will provide a marked improvement in the sound, unless I can find a local dealer who will loan me one for the weekend
To Mi8764ag, The Rogue Pharoah might be a great choice, but it retails for (I think) $3800. The dealer I bought the Sphinx from was in NYC and had them on sale, but not the Pharoah at the time. I would probably get badly beat-up on any trade-in toward $3800. and have to spend $100 bucks to ship it to NYC. Even if he gives me $1000-$1100, I will still need to come up with at least $2700-2800. He might spot me the shipping. but I doubt it
So. add another $150-200 to the final receipt for roundtrip shipping to Los Angeles A local dealer might work a similar deal, but I would have to pay 8.5% sales tax on $2800. Regardless, I still would have to be convinced either by audition or a variety of strong reviews, that the Pharoah is much better across the board than Sphinx. I know that the quality of its parts are better...but
Roksan Caspian II integrated?? Maybe, but only, if I can hear it with the red lights turned o0n. Thanks to all other who responded so far
