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Upgrading the "original " Rogue Sphinx integrated amp to the new version 2 (v-2)??

I have the original Rogue "Sphinx" integrated amp which was introduced approx. 4 years ago. There are upgrades now available for $400.00 plus round trip shipping. The upgrades focus on headphone output level;  increasing output level of phono stage, and general noise floor reduction,  Has any original  Rogue. Sphinx owner had these upgrades done?? and is it WORTH IT, THAT IS, demonstrates a noticeable improvement in sound quality. especially noise floor

I ask because the upgrades with  shipping will cost $600 from Rogue's factory in Pennsylvania to the West Coast ( they will not pay for return shipping).  It is a nice integrated amp, but no classic. I have considered taking that $600 and adding maybe $1100, and buying something new or used mint that is superior in sound quality for around $1800-$2000. Must have a excellent phono stage that can do both MM/MC, and be 100-150 RMS.   All suggestions and recommendation are welcomed.   Thank you

sunnyjim
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

Guys, unless I missed something( and I will check)  the original  Rogue Sphinx which I have DOES NOT have a pre-amp out to accommodate a separate power amp.  I am sure THE new version of the Sphinx just called v.2 has a pre-out. 

I am not sure I totally agree with smrex13 about the Rogue pre-amp stage.  Early reviews of the v.2 by Steve Guttenberg claimed that Mark O'Brien head design of the Rogue products, redsigned the entire PC board to reduce the noise floor,.... and also increase the gain for the headphone amp, and also the phono stage.  So even if I am wrong about the pre-amp out on my Sphinx and there is one, I don't see what benefits I gain from buying a better power amp.

mesch
3,527 posts
 
Well if you like your Sphinx and want the additional upgrades than I would do as yogiboy suggested and buy the new version and sell the older one.

Though I have listened to several Rouge products and think Rouge a great company to deal with, I have no experience with the Sphinx.  I therefore can't offer insight as to the 'value' of the upgrades. Much might depend on system and need for the extra headphone gain.

smrex13
645 posts
 
I was referring to a review that I had read of the Sphinx V1 in which the reviewer raved about the preamp section of the Rogue.  So I assume there is a preamp out.  He claimed that the preamp was the strength of the amp and that the power section was grainy compared to the amp he hooked it up to.  I'll see if I can find the specific review.

Best, Scott
smrex13
645 posts
 
From dagogo.com:  

"Still, if you only use the Sphinx as an integrated amp you will have no idea how good the preamp and phono stage are. The preamp and phono stage of the Sphinx are the reason to buy it, it really is that good. When I came out of its variable outputs into my Wavac EC-300B, I was genuinely shocked. No, it wasn’t in the same league with the Shindo preamps or the Allnic phono stages and line stages. Still, it was darn good."
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,747 posts
 

image: http://cdn.stereophile.com/images/814rogue.bac.jpg


It has two ,one is fixed and one is variable !
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