Amp and Pre-Amp suggestions needed

The Don Sachs preamp lists at $2500.   It is just a dressed up VTA SP-14, which admittedly comes in a very plain package at $1500 assembled, or $1100 kit.    It will make you smile.

As for a SS amp, I'd look for a classic Sumo Andromeda.  A truly great amp, but a little hard to find.  Well worth the trouble and can be typically had for $1000 or a bit less.   There's a used one on EBay that needs repair that can be had for cheap.  If you've got a good repair tech in your area, that's what I'd do.

But hey.  I love great audio for cheap.  This forum probably isn't the right place for me.

OK audionoobie,
you've got a 6Ω speaker that's 88db efficient, can be driven with 100w-400w of power, & the Rogue is not cutting it with these speakers.

The Cronus is already a pretty fair piece of gear, so don't make the mistake of a laterial move. $5G for a separate pre-amp and amp in the world of new gear maynot get ya leaps & bounds better than the Rogue if you're not careful.
Might I suggest an Ampex 402 pre-amp (see youtube attachment), pair it up with a Krell KSA 300s.

Ampex use to build tube powered recording studios, microphone pre-amps, mixing boads, tape machines, the works. They also made Hi-Fi pre-amps, with outstanding phono-stages. I use to own one, put my Conrad Johnson PV11 to shame and gave my snob Audion 2box Premier an inordinate run for the money. An Ampex 402 can be found for just south of a $grand.

Compliment the lush tubes of the Ampex with the lightning fast Krell. The 300 KSAs is pure Class A power. It's able to grab those 88 db Ohms by the scruf of the neck, & still have enough head room to sustain any crescendo thrown at it. A Krell KSA300s can be had for $3500 bucks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Rq8WrqudzI

There is only one krell ksa 300s for sale right now For $3900 offered by George Meyers audio. This would be way better than the parasound a21,it's completely refurbished by George Meyers, who is a certified krell tech.

+ Vote for a Schiit Loki . I have one that I’ve used intermittently and I like it . You just need an additional pair of interconnects, which will probably cost more than the Loki.  I am considering a Van Alstine amp myself to pair with my Rogue RP-1. As far as preamps , my friend has a recapped CJ with NOS Telefunkens paired with a Benchmark amp . He uses adapters to run the CJ single ended into Benchmark . He is pleased with the sound and plays a lot of higher quality vinyl. I would get a Don Sachs pre , a Schiit Loki, and the higher power Van Alstine amp, if I were you . I’d also call them and inquire about the tube buffered amp too . If you go with a pre that uses small driver tubes vs octal , I’d HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOS Telefunkens. If you want big tubes , I’d go Quicksilver over ASL. And I’d really like to hear what you choose to do, and how it sounds . Best wishes and happy hunting , Mike B. 

Hey gang,

I wanted to provide an update on this thread. When I first got the speakers home it was readily apparent that the Rogue CM III was not up to the task.

The only other amp in my possession was a 75wpc Belles Aria Integrated. Although it sounded really good, it was considerably less wattage than what Dale recommends to drive his speakers. It worked ok except I had to turn the volume knob up a little more to get to desired listening levels.

Step forward to last Saturday. A local retailer let me borrow a brand new Parasound A21+ and Halo P6. And although I didn’t commit to purchasing the units, I still felt some obligation to buy. Well, the combo sounded completely lackluster. There was no life in the sound, no air, no attack. Simply put, the combo left me flat and unengaged.

I spoke to Dale some more, and his philosophy is that the preamp is the heart, soul, and personality of your system. That got me thinking....The Belles besides being an excellent integrated also has Preamp out and Amp in jacks. It can be used as a pre alone, a power amp alone, or an integrated together.

I took the preamp out from the Belles and connected it to the unbalanced inputs of the A21+. BAM!!! There was the magic!!! More attack, more air, more bass, way better soundstage. I was completely engaged.

So, my opinion is the Parasound A21+ is a good bit of kit. But the P6 may not be up to the task in some systems, certainly not mine. Perhaps it’s a case of a piece of gear that tries to do too much? In addition to being a pre-amp it also has tone controls, bass management, home theatre features, a headphone amp, a phono pre, and a DAC.

I will eventually get the preamp that Dale recommends, a Conrad Johnson PV11 or 12. In the meantime I will continue to use the Belles as a pre.

Side note: I’m not even missing tone controls, the sound is that good!

Thank you everyone for you valuable input and suggestions on this topic. I certainly learned a lot.

Cheers,
Joe