Looking for integrated better than my Rogue Sphinx


I have owned a Rogue Sphinx integrated amp for two years (100RMS). I don't have any specific complaints about its performance except at times when played loud, it sounds like it is clipping and delivering more distortion than clean signal. The Rogue retailed at time of purchased for $1325.00 (remote cost $100 bucks more). I thought it wise to check around with members as to their opinions about a step up in sound quality from the Rogue integrated before starting any serious searches.

Most higher end integrated amps today are decked out like cuckoo clocks and so this might be tough one. I have read a lot of good things about the Hegal integrated amps, but don't need a DAC unless it is going to be superior to the one in my Ayre CX-7emp CD player. In addition, I have no interest in computer audio and many of the accessory features of the newer amps will be useless to me.

However, I will need an MM phono stage, and will miss the one in the Rogue which is first rate.

Is it worth while to take a look at some of the older, highly praised integrateds, like Sim-Moon series of 7 years ago, or Krell, Vincent, Musical Fidelity, and possibly Conrad Johnson. CJ offered an integrated amp about 10 years ago and tagged it at $6500. It was rated 200RMS, but had no inboard phono stage It got excellent reviews at the time, though never took the market by storm ( probably because of its price tag in a depressed market) .

Having more power than 100RMS would be nice, but not a priority. My speakers are (newly acquired) Golden Ear Technology Model 7; so far, an extraordinary sounding speaker considering its price of $1400 per pair. Thanks to all
sunnyjim
I so often see comments about power and watts. Watts do not equate to quality. First consider the power requirements of speakers, and the sensitivity of the speakers. One would not want to connect a 200wpc amp to a pair of Cornwall III speakers no matter the quality of the amp. With those speakers a low watt amp of decent quality would be better than a Mac 6600 with 200wpc. Recently at a shop in Indianapolis I listened to a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II. The mid range is super. The bass, and especially the highs are lacking. It looks impressive but I can assure you the Jolida Fusion 3502S amp sounds nicer. I know the Vincent SV500 sounds really nice. The guy at the audio shop in Indy ignored my request to listen to the Sphinx- said it did not sound as good as Cronus. As for Jolida- final assembly, QA, shipping, warranty service, and upgrades are all done in USA. I sell for Jolida. I know. I would think the Vincent SV500 or almost any of the Yamaha integrateds would sound as nice as the Sphinx, and surely the Jolida JD1501BRC would. The styling of the the Jolida is simplistic, but the sound is great. Much of the gear that is supposedly made in USA is assembled in USA using Asian made components. That is why their gear is currently on back order for so long- floods in China are terrible, and have set production back.
Can you please tell us which of 'the gear this is supposedly made in USA is assembled in USA using Asian made components'?  


Easy.  If you like the Sphinx but just want more and better, move up to the Pharoah.  Its  fantastic sounding and very versatile product.  The Sphinx on steroids essentially.

I want to thank all the members who responded to this thread and offered advice and recommendations 

 I decided to go with separates and currently am  looking for a pre-amp. If you tuned into some of my more recent threads,  I recently purchased a used BAT VK-200 amp. It has been a  revelation. I now understand what seeing into the music and recording means  

I have dealt with Rogue for my preowned Cronus Magnum 2 that i bought here in 2017. It was only 3 mos.old but the original owner decided to get the mono blocks instead. 
Anyway they did some upgrade work for me and were fabulous with their pricing.

So yesterday, because of their quality products and service to even a second owner, i bought a used rogue sphinx here for my secondary system. 

I am awaiting a response for my inquiry into whether they will do the circuit board upgrade only as i use a tube phonostage and hardly ever use headphones... i do want the better cuircut design however.

I get that the shipping can be pricey but when your having Rogue do a job for you thats not warranty related i dont see why they would be expected to pay for that?

They would only make half of their upgrade fee in the case of the OP and honestly, Rogue is an American company doing some amazing stuff for what most consider fantastic prices...

Just my opinion of course.. 
Btw OP, did you ever move on from your sphinx? I was also wary of class D but my plan id to eventually grab a vintage SET low watt tube amp to run through the sphinx for when i want the full tube sound say with my vinyl.... the sphinx can be used as a tube preamp only as well. I will have the class d ss power for when or if i move to a lower efficiency speaker than the klipsch quartets i run with the second system now...