2. amps-preamps
  3. 132982-49158

Biggest impact: moving from integrated to separates

I am slowly moving to separates from my Cronus Magnum integrated amp. So far, I’ve upgraded the Phono stage to a Pass Labs XP-15. I’m now looking for the next upgrade. I will need an amp and a line stage preamp. My budget is @ $3K and I am looking for the biggest bang for the buck. Which upgrade should come next? I would like anything I upgrade to have balanced connections (for linestage both ins and outs.)

thanks
asp307
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Asp307, has there been any word from Rogue on the output impedance of the variable output?

BTW, for those who may own a Cronus Magnum II, I found the following statement in a description of that version of the amp at a dealer’s site:
The Cronus Magnum II comes with a host of upgrades over the original Magnum.... The variable outputs are now buffered for better subwoofer performance....
Assuming the buffer which is referred to is an active buffer, which it almost certainly is, I would caution anyone owning a Magnum II that Rogue’s suggestion to the OP that it would be ok for him to connect the output of a line stage to the variable output of his earlier version of the Magnum will not work with the Magnum II. And although it is probably unlikely, doing so could conceivably even cause damage, depending on the specific design of the line stage and the Magnum II’s buffer.

Regards,
-- Al

asp307 OP
159 posts
 
@almarg they said 100K
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
@asp307
they said 100K
OK, if so you won’t have an impedance compatibility problem connecting any reasonably designed line stage to the variable outputs.

That would certainly explain, though, why they added a buffer stage for that output in the Magnum II version. A 100K output impedance would be pretty much useless for driving many and perhaps most powered subs, which commonly have line level input impedances in the area of 5K to 20K. And in an application where treble response may be important, such as using the variable outputs to drive a separate amplifier for biamping, the resulting sensitivity to cable capacitance would be very likely to cause poor results as well.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

asp307 OP
159 posts
 
@almarg thanks, any rule of thumb for best matching on 100K? I know you said it should match anything reasonable. I’ve seen different ratios offered in other threads..thanks.
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
@asp307
If the output impedance of the line stage is 10K or less at all audible frequencies, **or** if the output impedance doesn't vary very much over the frequency range even if it does exceed 10K, there won't be an impedance compatibility problem with a 100K load.  It would be very rare for a line stage to not meet the first of those criteria, much less both of them.

Regards,
-- Al

More to discover