Rogue Pharaoh Mk2 Tube Integrated Amp $4000: 250×2
(6.5h, 18.5w, 18d, 40 lbs, black or silver)
Rogue’s new Pharaoh Mk2 is a new, KILLER integrated. It is exactly what you would expect it to be- a powerful integrated amp with some lush tube chocolate sauce on top.
I’m calling it P2 below.
P2 is a huge refinement over its predecessor. First of all, P2 is actually QUIET. You CAN run P2 with high SPL speakers like Klipsches!
As a solo classical piano fan first, and female singer lover second, I’ve got to have a quiet background. If you’re listening at a volume you enjoy and pause your source… if the electronics are imbuing hiss through the speakers, no thanks. P2 stays quiet.
The original Pharaoh simply wasn’t quiet enough to use comfortably with high SPL speakers like Ks. The noise floor of that vintage wasn’t acceptable with them. Now, happily, P2 CAN play ball with Klipsch. I’ve run the combo myself. It’s sweet!
We also recommend Bryston, Magnepans & Amphion
P2 with Brystons or Maggies, yum!
P2’s musical timbre is indeed a shade softer than fine solid state integrated competitors like Hegel or NAD for example. Depending on your speaker choice and listening room, P2 might be right up your alley.
P2 has an MM/MC phono input. It isn’t MM only. If you’re uber serious about phono, we’re talking low output MCs. P2 is ready! How about a MoFi UltraGold or Ortofon Quintet Black? If you’re a phono fan first and foremost P2 might be a perfect fit for you.
P2 uses a pair of 12 AU7 tubes in the line section. They’re clean, quiet and don’t overload.
P2 has 4 line inputs. 1 for XLR, 3 for RCA.
P2 has fixed and variable pre outs. Your powered sub(s) runs from variable out(s).
P2 has HT pass through.
P2 has a terrific sounding headphone preamp on board.
P2’s remote moves the volume very slowly per click and is quite useful. One touch doesn’t blast
the windows out. The original Pharaoh’s remote was jumpy. P2’s is subtle and hence useful.
I really like P2’s manual volume control. It is a dead quiet analog control WITHOUT a numerical read out. It has a wighty, old school FEEL that I love.
Let me take a minute to compare P2 to Rogue’s full tube, Cronus Magnum 3 integrated.
CM3 is 100×2 and uses KT120 tubes in the output stage. CM3 sounds more dark. CM3 is fatter in the bass. CM3 runs hotter and the ambient noise floor isn’t acceptable with high SPL speakers.
I’ll take P2 every day of the week. It has tighter and more dynamic bass control. It has faster transient attack. P2 cuts through the grill cloths better than CM3.
Pharaoh 2 is a remarkable value! Rogue sells the DragoN power amp alone for $4k. P2 is for all intents and purposes, an amp within spitting distance of a DragoN, with a tube preamp and fine
MM/MC phono section for no extra charge!
P2 doesn’t have a DAC on board. Rogue feels that market is changing quickly and you should buy a DAC separately. How about a Mytek Liberty 2?!
