Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III Integrated Amplifier Overview

[@cbug4196]

The manual bias spec is stated as 35 mA noting that “constant biasing will wear out the bias potentiometers prematurely so do not adjust the bias unless it is more than 4-5 mA from the correct setting.”

[@videoguy8958]

Hi. I’m considering this amp (along with Schiit) and curious what exactly a solid state phono stage means as far as sound. Will my lps NOT have the warm tube sound? Confused. Thx

[@HudsonValleyHiFI]

Unless you are buying a serious tube phono preamp you are far better off with solid state. Cheap tube phono stages are always noisy. Give us a call we are happy to discuss with you.

[@zizendorf]

Hope you bought the Rogue Audio. They make a great phono stage! Audio done right!

[@johnsonadekunle7675]

I'm contemplating between this and Cary Audio SLI100 integrated amp for my Marten Django XL speakers.

[@marshallhughes4514]

Which one did you end up buying?

[@issadad]

Thanks. My questions relate to the choice I'm facing between the Cronus Magnum III and the Rogue Audio Pharaoh II: which is the better match to drive Magnepan speakers (I'm probably getting 1.7i). More than just pure wattage, the 4 ohm Maggies like high current, high damping, high slew rate -- and I can't find any of those specs for the Cronus, on which I'd have to reset the speaker taps to 4 ohm (still 100 watts power output into 4 ohm?). Any readers' thoughts will be welcome.

[@HudsonValleyHiFI]

Give us a call, happy to discuss with you. 845-219-1730

[@scottroberts4551]

I'm using my Chronus mag III w/magnepan LRS+'s and it works great, the sound is ethereal.

[@issadad]

@@scottroberts4551 Do you have a small or big room?

[@scottroberts4551]

@@issadad It's 16'x19' w/vaulted ceiling and open to the kitchen on the back and open to the living room on one side - not ideal for sure. the maggies are ~ 3' from the wall and my listening distance is about 10 ' from the speakers. I'm also using a Rythmik 12" sub (active servo - fast bass system, the experts say best pairing for quasi-ribbon speakers) for the real low stuff, turned down pretty low to make it all sound seamless. I've got aa Bluesound node with upgraded internal power board and external linear power supply, feeding a Gustard R26 ladder-DAC. I listen mainly to jazz on this system (Chet Baker, Kenny Burrell, etc.) and get plenty of volume even with the amp set to Triode mode, lowering the power from 100w to 60w (my wife is always telling me to turn it down). The Rogue Chronus Mag III is my first tube amp and it was exactly what i was after. The sound is super smooth. and easy to listen to for hours without fatigue. Voices sound lifelike, saxophones sound velvety, good recordings sound buttery, liquidy... Silly words I know but not sure how else to describe. Rogue just announced a Dark version of the Chronus, w/upgraded components, etc... I'm 99% sure I'll have mine upgraded because I'm so impressed with their quality and customer service (I've called them many times to ask a variety of questions). Btw, Ioriginally got the Rogue Sphinx V3 (the lower powered version of the Pharoh) and it worked great with the maggies as well, 200w @4 ohms. But I wanted a smoother sound so i tried the Chronus, glad I did. i really like the Sphinx V3, (it powers my office system now) but it's not as smooth, and can be a little sharp, edgy. Before I bought my Maggies, I called Magnepan and talked to one of their engineers and asked him for amp suggestions, he mentioned a few brands and Rogue was one of his favs.

[@gianlucazoratto1644]

Hello, first of all congratulations for the review, I have a question to ask, I have a rega brior-r amplifier (2014) that drives the Monitors Audio Silver RX6, I would like to upgrade and I would start with the amplifier: I am a jazz enthusiast and therefore I like the warmth and the detail of the sound I am undecided between the between the Rega Elict R and the Rouge Audio Cronus Magnum III. What do you suggest me?

[@HudsonValleyHiFI]

Very different amps, the Elex-R competes with the Rogue Audio Sphinx in terms of price and performance. The Cronus I feel you may want a speaker upgrade as well.

[@kevin-zd4po]

have they replaced the stereo st100 pwr amp?

[@HudsonValleyHiFI]

The Stereo 100 is a current model. There is a "dark" version available that offers some upgrades.

[@ozziegarcia6262]

How does it sound from your point of view. is it entry level or solid hi fi?

[@HudsonValleyHiFI]

Hi Ozzie, the Cronus is a midfi-hifi piece of equipment. Nothing entry level about it in build quality and sound. I have no doubt thirty years from now guys will be recapping the power supplies in Cronus.

[@ozziegarcia6262]

@@HudsonValleyHiFI thank you for your reply.

[@mr.blackhawk142]

@@HudsonValleyHiFI Thanx for that! What is the release date of the C.M.III ? I just bought a used one and the seller gave me very little info about it. How long do the output tubes last, before they need to be replaced? Thanx in advance!

[@anthonyklein9129]

I have this same amp with the JBL 4429 loudspeakers.

[@mr.blackhawk142]

Congrats! Is there a POINT you wanted to add?

[@fcamiola]

Hi Mike....What would you consider the biggest difference(s) between the Cronus Magnum III and the Sphinx V3, mainly in terms of tonal qualities (treble, mid, bass)? Obviously the price difference is about 1500 between the two units, so that is really the million $$ question.....Cheers!

[@scottroberts4551]

I'd like to know the same thing!

[@HudsonValleyHiFI]

CM3 is all tube and on many speakers has a more authoritative sound. Controls difficult to drive speakers better and has a "big" sound to it. Voicing is not much different. Sphinx is an incredible value but is still an entry level into mid range amp. Price difference is also contributed to all tube design. There are output transformers and ~$400 in output KT120 tubes, not two Hypex MCD180 modules. CM3 overall at it's price point like most Rogue products is still an incredible value.

[@mr.blackhawk142]

@@HudsonValleyHiFI "Controls difficult to drive speakers better and has a "big" sound to it." I have NO IDEA what you are trying to say here?

[@briancampbell7712]

@@mr.blackhawk142 he probably means it drives lower efficiency speakers better than most low wattage tube amps

[@tomhaydon6651]

Hello everyone I've been using this exact amp for a few years now and if your total budget is around 4k then this could be the amp for you. If you have a room that is 12x12 and some boxes and furniture and a bed all in one room then your going to have to add an EQ or this amp will not sound very good at all, even with horn speakers like I have. the remote volume up and down is very touchy either too high or too low. when biasing the tubes make sure the volume is turned all the way down first. the center 12au7 tube socket is a big disappointment 8 out of 10 tubes I put in this center socket have Hiss or pops. I have tried different NOS tubes to the latest Russian tubes.. I have spent hundreds of dollars on tubes. I now have no Hiss or Pops...good luck!

[@mariuszzurawski498]

Hey , you pretty much described my room spot on. let me throw out a crazy question , how can I add an eq?

[@tomhaydon6651]

@@mariuszzurawski498 Plug in a cd player or music streamer into the back of your EQ input RCA jacks then use the output on the EQ and plug into the back of your amplifier RCA jack. Note don't overload the input signal gain too much or it could start to distort the signal.. for even better sound and dynamics use 2 EQs.

[@gastonguev]

According to your experience, what type of tubes have been or are better for this amplifier?

[@tomhaydon6651]

@@gastonguev I was using the stock Power tubes and. Westinghouse 3 mica tall Black Plate12au7 early 60's I think and RCA Red Tip early 60's or late 50's 12ax7 tubes. But now I am using a 12au7 Russian Gold Lion Gold Pin in the center socket and 2 Chrome Plate Siemen 12au7 in the side sockets and 2 Mullard 1985 box plate 12ax7 tubes for a more detail and warm sound with better bass....

[@Blah-blah-sure]

How does this hold up? This would be my 2nd tube integrated. 1st being the boyuu Reisong A10. I love the A10 in a small room & it sounds great. How about this for a larger room & the sound?

[@HudsonValleyHiFI]

I have customers which original Cronus Magnum versions from 12 years ago still going strong. Outside of changing power tubes when they reach end of life there are really no major downsides. The Cronus is not the tubey-est sounding tube amp if your looking for that but has plenty of power to drive difficult speakers and can easily fill a room.

[@Blah-blah-sure]

@@HudsonValleyHiFI thanks, does it come close? Because that's what I'm looking for in a Rogue product Yikes

[@HudsonValleyHiFI]

There is definitely that touch of warmth that tubes bring and changing the preamp tube can have very dramatic effect on the sound. The amp comes with JJ tubes in the preamp and driver stage which are very neutral. Swap that out with other types and you can alter the tone. Out of the box though it is not an extremely mellow amp. The current amp your using is a toy compared to the Cronus.

[@Blah-blah-sure]

@@HudsonValleyHiFI understood, the Boyuu Reisong A10 is my 1st.tube. So I'm new to them and now know that there's a variety of tubes that I have to learn about to change the sound. But yes the A10's output is pretty anemic. Laughs thats y I use it in a small room. Thanks.

[@BicycleJoeTomasello]

Please @@HudsonValleyHiFI does running with a mid-fi tube phono preamp give it greater tube ambiance? Thanks

[@deroy2009]

Are you based in USA? Can I purchase this unit from you? Also does this comes with the cage cover?

[@HudsonValleyHiFI]

Hudson Valley HiFi, 291 Main St, Cornwall, NY 845-219-1730 Cage is an option.

[@nomadicslacker6387]

You mean headphone jack not speaker jack.

[@dennishill290]

Thinking I should have gotten mine in silver instead of...Black now....lol

[@HudsonValleyHiFI]

The black has a brush anodized finish, the silver is sort of raw aluminum faceplate.

[@dennishill290]

@@HudsonValleyHiFI Thanks