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Rogue Cronus too bright

Hi All:
I recently aquired a slightly used Rogue Cronus integrated amp. It's an upgrade from a Jolida 302B. The Cronus is a great amp and is a big improvement in alot of ways over the Jolida, imaging, detail, bass, etc. I do find however that it's a bit too bright for my taste. By that I mean on vocals like Norah Jones some of the high notes leave that wince in my ear that makes me want to turn it down, and it's not loud to begin with. My speakers are Totem Model 1 Signatures (87db) with Analysis Plus Bi-Oval 12 cables. A jolida CD playes and VPI table. Same result from either source. I didn't have this problem with the Jolida. I've upgraded all of the signal tubes in the Cronus. Preamp 12AU7 tube to a Mullard. 12AX7's to RCA long black plates, and other 2 12AU7s to RCA clear tops. Power tubes are stock KT77 from Rogue.

Can anyone offer any thoughts on this? Are these speakers not a good match for this amp? Are my tube choices contributing to the problem? Are there better tubes to try?

Thanks!
arch7
arch7 OP
35 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. Stevecham, in the Jolida I had Electro Harmonics EL34 tubes and the stock signal tubes (also EH tubes). I'm using a Dyanvector 10x5 cart & Jolida JD9 phono stage. I get the same results from the CD or phono. My interconnects are Analysis Plus Cooper Oval and the turntable uses the VPI phono cable. I have a Shunyata Cobra on the chronus, a Shunyata Alpha (non-helix) on the CD, and lesser, but good power cords on the TT and phono stage.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Have you also tried the 4 Ohm taps?
andrewdoan
223 posts
 
Interesting that you feel Rogue is bright. For a short time, I owned a pair 120 mono-blks & 99 Magnum running woth Cabasse speakers and there was absolutly nothing bright at all including NJ CDs. Before upgrading on ICs, PCs, speakers, why don't you send it back to Rogue for a full evaluation since you bought it used. Who knows what it's been thru. On line diagnosis will not give you what Rogue's final assesment will.
ridecycling
17 posts
 
Arch- You may want to experiment with other speaker cables too - maybe lean away from silver - do you biwire? If not that can help too.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
i find the jolida cd player to be more like truth than beauty and the totem speakers to be highly resolving. i have auditioned the analysis plus interconnects and speaker cables. i don't find them warm either.

as for tubes, i would use ge 5814 black plates, rather than mullards and rcas if i wanted a warmer sound. i wouldn't use rca 12ax7 either.

while the rogue may be bright, i think some of your components are unforgiving and adding the rogue does not help.

i owned the jolida cd player and tried many sets of tubes.
it was definitely not a warm player.
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