Rogue pharaoh II or Cronus Magnum III ?

@matias1979 

Much experience with the Pharaoh I, just heard the II at AXPONA this past April. 

The sound signature seemed mainly the same.  Bass heavy, lack of transparency, relatively unrefined midrange and treble.  I thought it was the worst sounding room at AXPONA as mentioned live on another forum.  

Of course speakers matter but so does the amplifier.  

The Cronus Magnum III can sound highly transparent, dynamic and with a high end refinement that never fatigues.  A little judicious swapping of the small signal tubes with NOS and it becomes even better.  

@avanti1960  Thank you, This helps me. I see the brand is good in "tube amps". I still say that I really liked what I heard with the Wharfedale Linton + Pharaoh 1..

From Rogue (Pharaoh 1 vs 2) : 

Hi Matias,

The Pharaoh II is based on the new Hypex NCore modules which offer higher performance, and we also use a more powerful module. The Pharaoh 2 is rated at 250 wpc into 8 ohms and over 400wpc into 4 ohms, so it will give you more dynamics than the V1. The V2 will also have a higher level of transparency and better detail than the V1.

I still own and appreciate their Apollo Dark monoblocks. Haven’t heard the hybrids, but heard good things about the sound. That said - I have no interest in their hybrids. Their "killer app" is full tube power amps, made in USA, with a really great value per Watt and great sound quality. Rogue customer service is superlative.

Their tube amps don’t have all the sweetness of "traditional" tubes, but offer amazing dynamics & bass, and huge scale at each price point - with a touch of the tube sweetness and a large soundstage. They also respond well to tube rolling.

Their class D hybrids will always be behind the curve on the latest modules (Eigentakt is newer than nCore). And if I’m going to have one tube type in a hybrid component, I don’t want tit to be 12AU7. Go for the Cronus.

I really wish that people would be specific in these posts. If you've listened to the Pharaoh 1 but not the 2, then you have no right to comment. There's a world of difference between the original and the improved versions of the Pharaoh. I've heard both versions. I've also owned the Sphinx 1, the Sphinx 2, the Cronus Magnum 2, and now the Pharaoh 2. The Pharaoh 2 definitely has bass punch, no argument. But with the proper tube rolling and speakers, I do not want to hear that the midrange is lacking. I have Sonus faber Sonetto 5's, and I have gained midrange with the Pharaoh. I would probably avoid ribbon tweeters and metal tweeters with the Pharaoh as well. I absolutely loved my CM 2, but I have no regrets in moving up to the Pharaoh 2. Glad you're asking questions, but try if you can, to listen and judge for yourself. Realize that the advice you're getting here is worth every penny you're paying for!

@lradder completely agree. I have the Pharaoh II as well as a number of other integrated amps. It is a very nice integrated and it comes in second to my AH Qualiton X200  that is also double the price and then some. Find the mids are better with the X200.