Tubes!
Rogue Sphinx V3 Integrated Amp $1700 With Remote
(5h, 17w, 15.5d, 25 lbs, 100×2 into 8 ohms. 200X2 into 4 ohms)
One of my favorite integrated amps on the planet is the tube driven Rogue Sphinx V3 (Version 3). When Rogue went from V2 to V3, it incorporated some important changes that made it a much better performer.
Rogue insists that you can’t put a DAC or Bluetooth in an integrated or you’ll soil its pristine resolution. It’s easy to buy an outboard DAC or Bluetooth device for modest (to crazy) money. Please don’t disqualify the Sphinx because they won’t put such features on board. There is a method to their madness!
V3 uses the tubes in the preamp section to drive the on board solid state amp. V2 just used tubes in the preamp input section. You can hear the improvement in V3. It breathes in a more organic fashion.
V3 has a better phono preamp that supports MC as well as MM. If you want to run top level vinyl you’ll want to consider a low output MC cart like an Ortofon Quintet Black or Blue. Sphinx is ready to make the most of your low output MC.
Sphinx uses two, very quiet 12 AU7 tubes. It is built in Pennsylvania instead of China- like virtually all of its competition.
These tubes are hand matched by Rogue. In other words, they don’t just grab a couple out of boxes and stuff them in. They graph hundreds of tubes and you get a matched set- so your balance will be right on the money. Not many companies take the time and effort to match tubes. Virtually nobody else south of $2k does this!
The Hypex amp on board is rated at 100×2 into 8 ohms and double that into 4. It has more umphh than you would expect from its 100×2 power rating. Most of our customers are very pleased with the results when running Bryston or Magnepan speakers. The latter are more hungry than your average bear. We have many Sphinx/Maggie combos out there living happily ever after.
The headphone section isn’t an after thought. It’s warm sounding.
Sphinx has variable preamp outs. Most people will run these into a subwoofer. However, the outputs are full range preamp outs and you CAN run them into a power amp- if you think you need more muscle than what Sphinx has on board.
Think about this option for a moment. You can start by using Sphinx V3 as an integrated. Later, if you think you need more muscle, you can use Sphinx as a tube preamp with excellent on board MC-MM phono section. It truly offers a building block approach.
The Sound
The best characteristic of Sphinx V3 is its sound. Where it beats the other guys is in a less congested, more open, airy midrange presentation. Vocals have superior dynamic range and more intrinsically accurate personality. Every human has a different voice. Let’s celebrate the nuances with Sphinx vs something more pedestrian.
Rogue Cronus Magnum 3 Integrated Amp $3500: 100 w/ch
(6.75h, 18w, 17.5d, 55 lbs)
CM3 is Rogue’s full tube integrated amp. It has tubes in the preamp section AND power amp section. It’s a tube extravaganza that allows amp operation in triode or ultralinear mode.
It uses five input tubes, (two 12AX7, three 12 AU7) and four KT-88 output tubes.
CM3 is for the customer who wants the full bore tube experience. It is especially well suited for speakers like Bryston, Magnepan & Amphion. These sophisticated speakers allow Rogue’s “magic” to shine through.
Inputs are phono (MM &MC!), CD, Aux 1 & Aux 2. Outputs are one fixed and one variable. You can easily drive a sub from the variable outs. It has HT bypass as well.
CM3 even has a quality headphone amp on board with 1/4” jack.
CM3 is calling out for all of you fans of singer/songwriters. Play your favorite ladies (in particular) with CM3 and you’ll fall in love- again! I hope you didn’t miss the top notch phono section- that supports MC and MM.
First Platinum Album
A Platinum album means it sold one million units, not dollars. The first ever was The Eagles Greatest Hits (1971-75) in 1976.
We can see why.
The first Platinum single? Also in 1976, Johnny Taylor’s “Disco Lady.” Wow!
RIP Sinead O’Connor (1966-2023)
Sinead was one of the most emotional singers of our time. Her various renditions of “Nothing Compares 2 U” bear witness to a singer putting it all on the line in duty to her craft. In addition to her big hit, don’t miss her scrumptious version of Peter Gabriel’s “Don’t Give Up” with Willie Nelson. This lady left nothing on the table.