Rogue Sphinx Magnum $2000 (100×2)
My favorite integrated amp value just got better! An already classic integrated has been improved in crystalline detail and a more airy top end.
Rogue has made the Sphinx v3 ($1700, 100×2 with Skeleton remote) for several years now. It’s a dynamite integrated amp, with MM/MC phono section, outstanding headphone amp and uses two 12AU7 tubes in the preamp stage. The tubes are JJs from the Slovak Republic. Rogue provides a matched pair- vs just grabbing any two out of boxes- to insure you have proper channel balance.
Oh, and it’s built in the USA, at a price point where everything else is made in China or has very little power.
I didn’t even know that Rogue was planning to pull a rabbit out of its hat. From left field Rogue just announced a tweaked version of the Sphinx v3, that they’re dubbing Sphinx Magnum. What a pleasant surprise, that Rogue wasn’t just resting on its laurels- since they already had the best integrated amp performer in our biz for under $2k.
The Mag version has a handful of upgrades that make it an easy choice over v3. Although, if you can hit $1700, but not $2k, we can still get the v3 version for you. But for 3 bills… go a little crazy!
The Mag version has the following upgrades:
*Improved linear power supply that features high speed diodes, larger output coupling caps of higher storage capacity
*PRP resistors in the tube preamp stage and phono stage
*Cardas binding posts for speaker connections
*JJ Gold Pin tubes from the Slovak Republic, which are warmer sounding and more open on top than the non gold pins used in v3
*Comes with more solid metal remote, vs plastic Skeleton remote
Axiom Loudspeakers
These Axiom speakers are the result of the merger of Bryston/Axiom. They are made in Canada with stringent quality control and a five year warranty.
With the arrival of these Axiom models we’ve jettisoned the Chinese imports that have dominated the sub $5k price range.
Axiom speakers are tough- but don’t have Bryston’s uber high power capability or 20 year warranty. Bryston speakers have higher powered drivers, crossovers and more heavily braced cabinetry.
As with Brystons, the Axiom models have a very friendly impedance swing. They’re easy to drive by affordable amplifiers.
If you take a look at speaker TESTS in Stereophile or British Hi-Fi News, you’ll see that most speakers claim to be a 4-8 ohm load. But when actually tested, you’ll see that many of them drop to 2 ohms at some part of their impedance curve. A perfect example is the modestly sized Kef LS50 which dips below 2 ohms in the bass, but is still called an 8 ohm speaker. Flag on the field!
This isn’t the case with Bryston or Axiom models. Bryston knows most of its customers need an impedance that won’t dip below four ohms. Paying attention to this curve is JUST as important as paying attention to providing reasonable efficiency.
Axiom’s new models have a smooth top end as well as deeper, more tuneful bass than the Chinese imports. Virtually all the imports are designed with a “smile curve” response to grab your attention when you first hear them. It’s like watching a TV with vivid cranked up. Those are the characteristics that wear you out in short order. Axiom speakers share Bryston’s Steinway Smooth timbrel balance.
Axiom speakers are available in Black Ash, Boston Cherry (red), Walnut or White.
Models
M-60 Tower, $2000 Per Pair
{37.5h, 9.25w, 15d, 48 lbs, 92 dB SPL, 8 ohms, 10-250 w/ch}
Two 6.5” Aluminum Woofers, One 5.25” Aluminum Midrange, One Titanium Tweeter
M-60 is effectively a scaled down Bryston A3. M-60 benefits from the merger of Bryston/Axiom more than any other model.
M-60 has significantly deeper and cleaner bass than any $2k import. Its bass is only down 3dB at 36Hz. That’s not an advertising claim. That’s a true measurement. To compare, B&W’s 703, $6000 pr, is made in China and measures (Brit Hi-Fi News) down 3dB at 46Hz.
Of even greater importance, M-60’s impedance swing barely touches 5 ohms at 30 Hz. The rest of its impedance measures an amp friendly 7 ohms and up. The B&W measures 2.9 ohms at 111 Hz, proving it is a BEAR to drive and you need a far more expensive amp to control it, vs Axiom.
Bryston parsed the DNA of its highly successful A3. Their goal was to scale back as little as possible but still manage to reduce the price by a grand. By reducing size/weight/power of cabinetry and drive elements, M-60 is still quite formidable.
M-60 has a large image with surprisingly solid bass. The top end is mellow so you’ll enjoy the character of female singers and acoustic instruments.
If you can go north a grand, of course you should buy Bryston’s full bore, higher powered model A3. It has higher power handling, even deeper bass and more precise imaging- along with a 20 year warranty. Bryston’s heavyweight cabinetry with superior bracing and stronger drive elements take you there.
M-3 Stand Mount, $760 Per Pair
{13.5h, 8.5w, 8.25d, 90 dB SPL, 8 ohms, 10-200 w/ch}
One 6.5” Aluminum Woofer, One Titanium Tweeter
M-3 is a terrific, moderately priced bookshelf speaker. As with M-60 above, it shares much of Bryston’s DNA and is scaled back from its more powerful brother, Bryston’s Tiny A.
Up until now, the class leader at this price point has been the Klipsch RP600v2. To hit the price point, K builds its speakers in China. The sonic fingerprint is brighter and fatter than Axiom. It’s got a smile curve. With M-3 we have a more mellow sounding, higher powered monitor with deeper bass, made in Canada! Bryston’s Tiny A is more precise and handles greater power levels.
M-3’s impedance swing is at 8 ohms and above, which makes it very easy to drive.
M-2 Stand Mount, $700 Per Pair
{11.5h, 7.5w, 8.5d, 89 dB SPL, 8 ohms, 10-150 w/ch}
One 5.25” Aluminum Woofer, One Titanium Tweeter
M-2 is a small-ish bookshelf speaker with a smooth top end. Its bass isn’t as rich as M-3 above, so if you have room for M-3, buy it, or better yet, it’s more muscular Bryston brothers.
Yet many customers need a petite, accurate mini that doesn’t sound harsh, for a smaller room. M-2 makes sense in that application. By the way, it’s also made in Canada, not China, with a 5 year warranty.
Good Hearing
It’s generally accepted that humans with great auditory range can hear from 20-20kHz. More specific tests have determined that with most of us, you have to knock 20% off at each end.
What about these guys? We’re told they hear from 360Hz to 42kHz. That explains why they don’t need subwoofers.