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REVIEW: Rogue Audio cronus Integrated Amplifier (Tube)

Model: cronus
Category: Integrated Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $1800
Description: 55 watt integrated tube amp
Manufacturer URL: Rogue Audio

Review by digiphobe on May 19, 2007 at 22:23:23
IP Address: 206.116.100.125		Add Your Review
for the cronus

There hasn't been all that much said on this amp, so I thought I'd chip in.
I've owned the Cronus since new (6 months), so we'll consider it run-in. Speaking of run-in; it sure took a long time to break this puppy in - we're talkin some 200 hours before it took on that "relaxed ease" that reeks of tube. Out of the box it sounded powerful and detailed but at the same time it seemed hard and silicone-like.
Early on, I experimented with various small signal tubes such as rca clear tops and sylvania's etc., but nothing too exotic. Ultimately I went back to the stock glass for their lacluster, but even balanced sound. Fast foreward several months; I've installed the Groove tubes 12ax7M's as well as the GT12au7's - wonderful sounding tubes (mullard like?), and to top it off I installed Green lable EH - el34's.( the stock Svetlana's are ok., if a little fuzzy and diffuse) This was another step in the right direction as the amp has taken on more of a golden vintage tone and toooby sparkle. Combine this with my Acoustic solid thread driven TT and there's some serious in-room mojo goin' on...dig?
Now how's about that built in phono stage?....well I compared it to the Aqvox, the Wright, and the Cornet. These are all 1k$ stages. They all did this or that slightly better than the built in, but at the end of the day the Rogue's built-in phono stage won out because of its solid drive and even handed nature. So how do CD's sound through the Cronus?- you tell me because I don't own a player; all the 2-3k$ I've owned sounded like POO !
To conclude, I'll say that the Cronus is a good purchase, and if you swap in some quality fire-bottles you'll have a real winner.

Product Weakness: none
Product Strengths: wonderful tone and feature rich.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Cronus
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Acoustic solid, classic woody
Speakers: Klipsch RF25
Cables/Interconnects: ****
Music Used (Genre/Selections): all types
Room Size (LxWxH): 17 x 13 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments: ****
Time Period/Length of Audition: 6 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): ****
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): ****


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Topic - REVIEW: Rogue Audio cronus Integrated Amplifier (Tube) - digiphobe 22:23:23 05/19/07 (9)
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