As many here may already know, Steve used to work for Sound by Singer in Manhattan. Andrew Singer was one of the first dealers to carry the Rogue Audio line of amplifiers. In 1996 I walked into showroom number one and listened to a pair of Audio Physic speakers that was just brought in on a trade. Then I walked into showroom number two and listened to the Rogue. If memory serves me the Rogue had a classic tube sound that was very neutral. Steve, did you still work for Andrew in 1996? I am almost certain that it was you that showed me the speakers and amp set up...
What a great guy! Thanks for doing this interview Steve. I heard this amp the other day driving a pair of the little Sonus Faber Sonetto III and the sound was really very sweet. Those are 89db speakers and it did just great playing digital files from a node 2i. I think if I already wasn’t set with a really nice tube based system I would choose this gem of an amp. Seems to me like a tremendous value and listening to the designer -seller I understand more now about its value. An unpretentious and fun product.
That gooey stuff looks a bit funky, but maybe it's effective. I've never owned Rogue gear, but am considering buying the V3. I've always enjoyed Mark's interviews. And understand that Rogue offers top notch customer service.
Great interview, ..... Thanks Steve ! Mark is really a great guy, with whom I've spoke several times when I needed to replace some tubes. I have the original Rogue Audio Cronus integrated amplifier, driving a wonderful pair of Revel F-12 speakers, with a Rega P3-24 and Rotel RCD-1072 front end. The sound of music is absolutely sublime, and after thirteen years and two "tube turnovers," the amplifier is still sensational ! Thank You Rogue Audio !
Well done Steve and Mark, thank you! I am a big fan of Rogue Audio products and love the sound and value they give me. Currently running an RH-5 linestage into a Stereo100 amplifier using balanced connections and the sound is incredible. You go to audio shows and see that it takes lots of $$$$$$ to sound any better. Totally blown away by the customer service too- Nick and Mark are always happy to help. Peace and continued success !
Steve, model 4 is out! It's not the SG version. It's now going to be the Sphinx V3 Magnum! Lots of new goodies inside! Love my V3 and will be getting the upgrades!
Great company. I had some questions about my Atlas power amp to power my Magnepan 1.7. I think I spoke with Mark as his voice sounds familiar. He was a great help giving me support and instructions on how to reconfigure the Atlad from. 8 to 4 ohms. Great U.S. company highly recommend
I have a Sphinx V2 as well and i am searching for more kick at lower volumes if you know what i mean. I have the BW 685-S2's but recently bought Klipsch RP600Ms for the horn feature. I feel it is somewhat better but still searching how I get the sound I want. ugh
I've had the V3 for a week and LOVE IT! I was using a Levinson ML-11/ML-10A setup and would compare the two as such: The Levinson is quieter, ie. invisible. The rogue has a personality, ie. you know it's there. It's a warm and logical presence with kick, if that makes sense. The phono sounds great! (a little hiss from the tubes at higher volumes, but one of those ears-close-to-the speaker things, not noticeable in the playback. I was using a Schiit Mani because I liked the sound better than the Levinson phono. I was looking for a "pure audiophile workhorse amp" Records/TV/DAC are my inputs, and so far so good. *I haven't done this but I like the fact that I can upgrade to future versions for roughly $500 if I want to)
99.9% of what I read about Rogue products is positive. I recently read a critical comment about their reliability from a non-Rogue dealer. He complained about their reliability, specifically saying they were difficult to repair. He recommended always sending them back to Rogue for repair. After hearing Mark (nice guy) speak, it seems that they make changes pretty frequently, sometimes during a production run, not always reflected by the v1, v2, v3 monikers. Not necessarily a negative comment, just fair warning to potential buyers, myself included!
It would greatly benefit the sound if the Solen coupling caps in the tube linestage section would be changed out to something a bit better (Auricap XO, etc.), but not necessarily super boutique.. Just my opinion.
Hey Steve, I found this german speaker called the SL20 by mohr, and they have very good reviews, coming in at 400 a pair, so I would love to see you doing a review on them, especially as a direct competitor to the rp600m's :) greetings from Germany, love your channel
Between the two video's, great combination of your review and the designer's comments. I do not use either a phono preamp nor a headphone amp. From what I understand there was really no major improvement in the basic amplifier. If true, would I be better off looking for a good, less expensive v2 as opposed to getting the new v3?
I spoke to rogue before I upgraded. Apparently, they also up graded the inputs (higher quality caps and such). It definitely sounds better to my ears than the v2. It would depend on the price difference though. By the way, they also pointed out that if you turned it on, but muted it, the remote control will work to volume control the headphones. Since I’m incredibly lazy (and generally listening on a couch six feet away) that was a good feature for me!
Great content. They seem to be able to add components, but is there a way for customers to subtract components and reap the savings? For example a customer who doesn’t need or want the remote, phono stage, headphone output? I wish more amp companies designed to have modular deletes.
Pete Well sure, but Rogue makes good stuff, and updates when they figure out a cost effective way to make it better. It’s up to you to buy it or not. They also generally sell an upgrade path so you don’t have to sell and buy a new unit. I had my sphinx upgraded to V3 at a very reasonable price.
Easier said than done! Most every product of moderate to high complexity from audio equipment to cars etc. undergoes numerous changes and updates during a model year and the course of its lifespan. Software, firmware, component upgrades, bug fixes, new features etc. Would you be happy with a DAC made in 1978? A car for example will have hundreds of changes during a production model year whether they make it public or not. When a company like Rogue continues to prosper they can offer more value and quality in their products. It's win win for the consumer - products improve as they evolve. Peace.
