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Primaluna Dialogue poremium, Rogue Cronus Magnum II or Jolida 801...who can advise me?

So good morning all..
I am a novice to tubes and an old guy as far as Solid State goes. I am taking the plunge into tubes and planning on an integrated amp.
Currently I have a close to 30 year old set of Paradigm Export Monitors that I bought new many years ago and still are in awesome shape, with a sensitivity around 89dB, but am planning on a set of Tekton Design Lore speakers at 98 dB....I listen primarily to vinyl and although I have heard the PL recently in southern NH at Audio Video Therapy, I like the pricing of the Rogue better and the fact it has both a headphone amp and a Phono stage built in. Who has experience with both and what are our thoughts? And just for entertainment purposes, I also am considering the Jolida 801 Integrated....
Thanks!

eag618
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,571 posts
 

I had a Rogue Cronus Magnum and a Cronus Magnum II integrated at one time, notice I said had.  I felt they inserted a tiny bit of grain into the music.  I noticed it first with the original Cronus Magnum and thought the II version would be better.  It wasn't, the grain was still there and once I noticed it, couldn't get past it.

The PL is in a totally different league, it is an amp you can use for years and never be dissatisfied, they are that good.  PL claims 10,000 hours on the power tubes because they run them with less voltage than other amps.  I heard an EL34 based PL amp which was very addicting sounding,  and then my friend bought KT150 tubes for it and WOW, the bass was to die for.  I am an older audiophile like you and if it was going to be my last tube amp, I would go for the PL.  For myself, I went back to McIntosh solid state which is almost as good as tubes but not quite.

mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Stereo5
It's interesting you mentioned "went back to McIntosh solid state which is almost as good as tubes but not quite."

I had a Mac SS C-45 pre and   MC-402 SS power. I bought a Rogue Pharaoh hybrid integrated amp in an effort to downsize for a large move I was making. Long story short, the Rogue crushed the Mac combo. Took all of 20 seconds of listening. IMO.
johnss
616 posts
 
Bruce in Philly pretty well covered it. You're not taking a plunge you are coming over to amps that have a much greater hold of keeping your rear glued in the listening chair......

best of luck....
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,571 posts
 

@mr_m 

I feel the opposite.  I have never heard a Class D amp or Class D hybrid that I liked.  Not for these ears.

mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Stereo5. 
That's interesting. I guess it really depends on the other equipment it's connected to, and to who's ears are listening! We agree to disagree.....No???
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