Rogue Audio Pharoh hybrid integrated

Pycroft
Pycroft Posts: 1,960
edited January 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
Hi,

Has anyone heard this unit? I haven't found much in the ways of reviews for this amp. Any thoughts? It would be powering Sony SS-M9s

James
2 Channel/HT:
Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
Harman Kardon HK354
Sony SACD Player
Post edited by Pycroft on
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited January 2014
    I can't speak for the Hybrid Integrated Amps. that Rogue is building, but I can attest to the build quality and performance of the Cronus Magnum Integrated.

    Rogue makes a great product with even better customer support, akin to Polk Audio. Mark and Nick are very quick to respond to any inquires, I just ordered a new quad of tubes and a new cover for the Cronus yesterday.

    I've had four pieces of Rogue gear over the years and have two in the mix now, I enjoy the Rogue sound and will continue to move up the Rogue ladder as time goes on. I highly recommend their equipment without reservation, I don't think you can go wrong.

    Here's a good looking unit if you haven't seen it already http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649103404-rogue_audio_pharaoh_integrated_amp/ Good luck!
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,963
    edited January 2014
    Basically a digital amp with tubed pre. Knowing Rogue, they don't do anything half-assed so I wouldn't hesitate to give it a whirl. Not sure it will have the headroom of the monos you currently have, but certainly worth a listen if you plan on consolidating gear.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2014
    Class D does not always mean it's a digital amp, they're not one in the same.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited January 2014
    There are others I've researched at the same price point - Wyred 4 Sound STI-500, Krell 400i, there's a Simaudio (not the I7, the one right below that integrated), and a few others. I'm guessing the A/B amps are still more highly regarded over the Class D amps?

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited January 2014
    Pycroft wrote: »
    There are others I've researched at the same price point - Wyred 4 Sound STI-500, Krell 400i, there's a Simaudio (not the I7, the one right below that integrated), and a few others. I'm guessing the A/B amps are still more highly regarded over the Class D amps?

    James

    A wiser fellow told me it depends. A better class A/AB design with good/high quality components may sound better than a Class D. Also it depends on the pre you pair them with too. Recently I had tried a Class D, AB and A with my class A SS pre. I preferred the AB over the D Wyreds but kept the A. It had to do with the neutrality of the AB and D, or as some might say, varying degrees of dry and sterile. YMMV.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2014
    I believe the Pharoh's design is specifically a pair of Hypex amplifier modules fed by a tube buffer no-gain input section. It's a nice design, and should sound better than most class D offerings.
    Jake
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited January 2014
    Has no polkie actually heard it??? THanks for the input so far :)

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited January 2014
    zingo wrote: »
    I believe the Pharoh's design is specifically a pair of Hypex amplifier modules fed by a tube buffer....
    Yes,a pair of UcD 400's.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2014
    zingo wrote: »
    I believe the Pharoh's design is specifically a pair of Hypex amplifier modules fed by a tube buffer no-gain input section. It's a nice design, and should sound better than most class D offerings.
    That's similar to what I was running, and what I will probably go back to soon. You should be familiar with that kind of setup too, if you can remember that far back... :D
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2014
    Face wrote: »
    That's similar to what I was running, and what I will probably go back to soon. You should be familiar with that kind of setup too, if you can remember that far back... :D

    Doesn't ring a bell... :razz:
    Jake
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited January 2014
    I don't know about the newer Rogue Hybrid Class D Integrated but I have the Rogue Tempest III Super Magnum all tube Integrated with 2 Push-Pull KT120 in each channel and can be used either Triode or UltraLinear (Tetrode) mode.

    Triode about 45W and Tetrode about 90W and they sounds the same to me. UltraLinear (Tetrode) mode has juice to power almost all the speakers out there at a reasonable SPL. Has both 4 or 8 ohms output transformer tap and the most versatile int. It is one of the best equipped Int in the all Tube category. You can use it with the External Preamp if you want or use it's preamp section to power other power amps (to bi-amp your speaker) or for sub output.

    But with 90wpc power output, it is not about cranking up loud super loud so if you want more power, go with the newer Rogue Hypex based Int.

    If you want all to roll tubes and want to experience all Tube Int, look for the older all Tube Int and may be a bit more affordable too.
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2014
    I'm going to play a little Devil's Advocate here! Why the push to an integrated? To save "space"? How much space would you actually save? You still have equipment that will stack "vertically" so the footprint remains pretty much unchanged, you merely have a shorter stack. But you can't use the space above that stack so what's the big deal.

    I'm not getting it. Also, I've seen integrateds in the 5 figure range that are the size of separate components so no space saved there.

    And what is the obsession with space saving? It's not like you're living in a coffin-size room in Tokyo for business men who want to spend the night in town? You're in Pa. with I assume "plenty" of living space?

    I guess what I'm saying is, I would never down size just to save space if I had something I really liked. Now if you have an itch to try something "new" something "different", that I can understand. Everyone around here gets that!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited January 2014
    Constantine,

    A mix of everything. I've read a lot on the plusses of integrated amps - less signal loss, less problems with getting a pre that works well with an amp, etc. The space issue is last, but I'm a man of convenience - I like the concept of it all in one box, as long as the sound is great. Space is an issue actually, because we're still renting a home, and looking to buy in the future. That is the least of the considerations though.

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • brgman
    brgman Posts: 2,859
    edited January 2014
    Pycroft wrote: »
    Has no polkie actually heard it??? THanks for the input so far :)

    James

    Drive up the road and listen to it.
    Rogue is about an hour from you.
    Call ahead and i'll bet they try to accomodate you.
    Main Rig-Realistic AM/FM Record player 8 track boasting 4 WPC

    Backup Rig-2 CH-Rogue Audio Zeus w/Factory Special Dark Mods,Joule-Electra 300ME Platinum Preamp,OPPO-105 w/Modwright Tube Mod, Auralic Aries G2.1,Polk 2.3TL,3.1TL's,Dreadnought,RTA-15TL's,1C's All Fully Modded,2xRTA-12c's ,Benchmark DAC3 HGC,Synology NAS,VPI Scout w/Dynavector DV-20XH and Rogue Audio Ares Phono Preamp,Sony PCM-R500 DAT,HHB-850 Pro CDR,Tascam CC-222SLMKII Cassette/CDR,MIT S3.3 Shotgun Cables,Shunyata Hyra-8,Shunyata and Triode Labs Power Cords

    I’M OFFENDED!!!!
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited January 2014
    Ed had a pair of Sony SS-M7 ES speakers paired with some NHT subs. The M series is a great sounding speaker line from Sony!

    Nothing wrong with an integrated provided it has the power you need for your speakers.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited January 2014
    cnh wrote: »
    I'm going to play a little Devil's Advocate here! Why the push to an integrated? To save "space"? How much space would you actually save? You still have equipment that will stack "vertically" so the footprint remains pretty much unchanged, you merely have a shorter stack. But you can't use the space above that stack so what's the big deal.

    I'm not getting it. Also, I've seen integrateds in the 5 figure range that are the size of separate components so no space saved there.

    And what is the obsession with space saving? It's not like you're living in a coffin-size room in Tokyo for business men who want to spend the night in town? You're in Pa. with I assume "plenty" of living space?

    I guess what I'm saying is, I would never down size just to save space if I had something I really liked. Now if you have an itch to try something "new" something "different", that I can understand. Everyone around here gets that!

    cnh

    for one you save money on fewer interconnects and power cables.
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited January 2014
    megasat16 wrote: »
    ...go with the newer Rogue Hypex based Int.
    They are using OEM versions of the Hypex modules which allow the bypassing of the low grade onboard opamps used for input and voltage gain.So basically they are just using the switching MOSFET output stage driven by their own proprietary tube circuit.I'm not a tube o phile but would like to give it a listen.I have older revisions of these modules that unfortunately don't allow for the bypassing of the onboard opamps.
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited January 2014
    I saw the Rogue Pharoh at the capital audiofest and it was very nice. I have been running a Rogue Sphinx in my two channel rig since 5/8/13 and it is a great sounding integrated amplifier.i am using a matched pair of 1958 Amperex Holland script logo 17mm long plate 12AU7's with the foil strip in the front end.the amp uses Hypex modules with a Rogue Audio regulated power supply.
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited January 2014
    FTGV wrote: »
    They are using OEM versions of the Hypex modules which allow the bypassing of the low grade onboard opamps used for input and voltage gain.So basically they are just using the switching MOSFET output stage driven by their own proprietary tube circuit.I'm not a tube o phile but would like to give it a listen.I have older revisions of these modules that unfortunately don't allow for the bypassing of the onboard opamps.

    I have never heard any UcD based hypex amps. But I imagine ability to bypass the onboard opamps is a definite good thing.

    Tube O Phile? :D
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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