2. amps-preamps
  3. 123150-541

Opinions Needed!

Here is the scenario: my secondary system consists of a Rogue Cronus Magnum 100wpc tube integrated amp, a pair of Golden Ear Triton Two speakers, a Sony HAPZ1ES Music Server, a Magnum Dynalab MD90 Tuner and a Sony SCD777ES SACD player. I also have all the audiophile approved connectors, power cords and power conditioners. I like the sound of this system very much, but I am not too thrilled with the bass control of the amp to speakers.

I listen to this system at least 8 hours a day, every day of the year. In the 1 1/2 years of ownership of the tube integrated, I have re-tubed the amp twice to the tune of 450.00 each time(some nos tubes and all purchased from Upscale Audio). The cost of the tubes is killing me!

I have been thinking of replacing the Cronus Magnum with a Parasound Halo Integrated Amp which is solid state and 160wpc. I like the idea of tone controls and the generous amount of inputs on the Halo and all the reviews have been glowing. I also like the idea of the built in ESS Dac as my Sony SACD player is getting long in the tooth and could benefit from the newer dac. I am driving to the closest dealer this coming Saturday to audition one and may be bringing one home with me.

If it weren't for the price of re-tubing, I would keep the Cronus Magnum as I can live with the bass not being as controlled as I would like. I think the Halo will be better able to control the bass. My question is, good move or bad move? I know this is a sideways step, but I really can't afford to keep buying tubes!

I doubt I will sell the Cronus Magnum, my plan is to rotate it in and out of the system when I need my tube fix.

Thoughts?

Thanks

stereo5
solman989
44 posts
 
What tubes are you using?  You shouldn't have to replace the small-signal input tubes that often, especially if they are NOS.  Usually they will start getting noisy or microphonic when they need replacing but I find NOS tends to last longer. 

Output tubes are another story.  Have you tried different output tubes?  I would not get NOS output tubes as they do not make as much a different as the input tubes.  I settled on JJ E34L's after trying KT120s, 6550, and a few others.  Bass is well controlled in my setup using smaller less sensitive speakers, and retubing costs well under $100 for a quad.  Something for you to consider especially since your speakers have powered subs.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

The speakers have powered woofers, so wouldn't the amp just affect the upper bass? Could there be another problem? Sorry, don't know, just asking. Hopefully someone having experience with these speakers can answer.


lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Sounds like a good move, since you also like the onboard DAC with the Parasound.

Regarding the Cronus Magnum, you may not have found the right tubes to give you extended bass. Or the Cronus isn't able to optimally drive the bass frequencies of the Tritons. Are you using the 4 ohm or 8 ohm taps?
rcprince
3,085 posts
 

I had the same question as tls49.  I would not expect an amplifier change to affect the bass, as the woofers for the bass are powered by their own amp. 

I do sympathize with the cost of tubes, though, especially given your high usage of the system.  Going solid state makes sense, and the Parasound is a nice unit, with the DAC being a plus for handling redbook CD over the Sony's built-in DAC.  However, if you like the sound of the Rogue, do you have the ability to audition their Sphinx or Pharoh hybrid integrated amps?  As solman989 says, the small signal tubes in those amps should last a long time.  Downside to that is not improving the DAC over the Sony, which was good in its time but can be bettered these days.

As an aside, that's a lot of use for a "secondary" system!

almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Stereo5, recall this thread, in which you had posted:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/primaluna-prologue-integrated-help-needed

Perhaps the reason your Cronus Magnum amp is having trouble controlling the bass is similar to the bass issue the OP in that thread was having using a PrimaLuna tube amp with the same speakers. Although the symptoms he experienced were different and more severe.

As you’ll recall, in that case a low frequency throbbing occurred when the volume was turned up beyond a certain point. The reason turned out to be that the PrimaLuna tube amp was not happy running essentially unloaded (i.e., into a very high impedance) in the deep bass region. (The impedance curve for your speakers is shown here: www.stereophile.com/content/goldenear-technology-triton-two-loudspeaker-measurements).

I suggested putting an appropriately chosen load resistor across the amp’s output terminals for each channel, which resolved the problem. It may be worth trying the same with your amp, although keep in mind that with your 100W amp you would need higher wattage resistors than the ones I suggested in the other thread.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

More to discover