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I was considering this amp to use in my system. I gave the Rogue mono blocks a listen and they sounded ok. Anyway someone mentioned these tube amps are more neutral and sound more like solid state amps. From that I'm wondering if that is the case what then would be the benefit of using this tube amp over a solid state amp? Does it still have some tube plusses that would seperate it from a SS amp? I might just go to a lower power tube amp like a Macintosh or Conrad Johnson if the Rogue amp doesn't set itself apart enough from SS amps. Im already planning on running a Rotel 1070 amp in bi-amping running the woofers on a 3 way speaker set. The mids and tweets would run off the tube amp. I have the ability to control the gain on the woofer amp, so that is not an issue.
Follow Ups:
If the changes from the 88 to the 90 are similiar to the changes from the Magnum120's to the 150's (I made the upgrade) then IMO you will be happy.
If the sound is a lil too forward or SS like for you on certain songs just flip the UL switch to Triode mode and the upfront becomes more laid back...more 'tubelike' some may say. Both UL and Triode have their merits.Personally I recommend giving the 90 an in home audition and see/hear for yourself.
Jon
If you did not hear improved overall clarity, spaciousness, smoothness of the midrange and particularly top end, "snappiness" of the sound, and overall increase in musicality over your Rotel do not blame Rogue amp(s).They may not have as much slam in the bass considering that B&W are not usually easiest to drive (but I do not know that particular model).
If you ask me there are other items to be considered before change, i.e. cables.
Freebie ICs are throw always, and IMHO, Monster ICs and speaker cables that I tried performed consistently the worst for the money, with some ICs were simply atrocious)
Than preamp, sources, amp, speakers.
Catch is to know what amp to buy, you need to know what speakers you will end up, to know what preamp to buy you need to know what amp it will drive, to know what source to buy you need to knew what preamp will you drive, and to buy cables you need to know all of the above.
So, think system.
I agree with the post below. Another consideration. If you are only running mids and tweets and speakers are reasonably efficient you may be able to go with a single ended tube amp. There are plenty of designs that will put out 5-10 watts/ch and can be had for the cost of the Rogue. These will give you a very liquid sort of sound, but don't quite have the bass control of a push pull tube amp. However, if you don't need the bass control....mids can be to die for....Please, don't everyone jump on me re: the single ended vs. Push pull debate - I am just suggesting another avenue to investigate.. there are very good push pull and single ended amps. Many paths to Nirvana as it were (including SS if you want to spend the money).
You either like tubes or you do not. You can make a good sounding system out of Solid State or Tubes. A well designed tube amplifier will sound like a good amplifier. If you want to have a bond with your equipment and interact with it mechanically, tubes are the way to go. If you just want to flip a switch and have music, you are a solid state kind of guy.
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