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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
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

truemaineiac's avatar
truemaineiac
249 posts
 
If you listen to it that much, tubes are not too expensive as a ratio to listening time.  If you like the tube sound that much it will likely be a problem going solid state at some point, sooner or later.  
stereo5's avatar
stereo5 OP
6,568 posts
 

I shouldn't have mentioned the bass as it really isn't a big deal.  The main reason is the cost of re-tubing.  Here is the breakdown:

4 Tung Sol KT-120 tubes cryoed                 232.00

2 Mullard reissue 12au7 tubes cryoed          66.00

1 RCA Cleartop 12au7 tube (preamp)          45.00

2 Svetlana 12ax7 tubes  cryoed                    66.00                

TOTAL     409.00

I stand corrected on the price, not 450.00.   The only nos tube is the RCA cleartop and thats only 20.00 more than a decent 12au7 tube.

I tried KT-88, KT-77 and EL-34 output tubes and I liked the KT-120 tubes best.  The sound of my amp totally influences the entire sound of the Triton 2 speakers, even though the woofers are powered.

Yes, this is a lot of use for my secondary system as my computer is in the same room and I work in my office where the system resides.  My main system gets little use, perhaps 2 times a month and only for a few hours.

Not interested in any of the Rogue hybrid amps, not a fan of class D and wouldn't even consider it.  For me it's class a/ab all the way.

I will be trying a loaner in my system but I wanted opinions if I am sacrificing too much for the sake of the cost of the tubes.

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