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An Impressive Upgrade of an Already Over-the-Top Tube Amp
For 20 years the Rogue Audio Cronus has been the finest integrated tube amplifier in the world in its price range. It has gone through three major upgrades and several minor upgrades. Rogue improved the sound, increased the power, and added features. But these design wizards are perfectionists, and still they wondered, was it enough?
Rogue Audio is proud to announce the new Cronus Dark. With an impressive package of upgrades, the Cronus Dark reaches a new level of refinement. Dynamics are better and the imaging defies reason for an integrated amplifier at any price point. The detail is remarkable and furthers the illusion of a live performance.
Why a "Dark Version?"
Why do Rogue's special 'amped up' versions of their components sport the label "Dark"? Here's the explanation, according to Ric Mancuso's October 2023 enjoythemusic.com review of the Stereo 100 Dark Amplifier, which includes insights from Rogue Audio's designer Mark O'Brien, who happens to be high-performance car and motorbike enthusiast.
Mark explains, "The term Dark refers to the world of high-performance racing machines. When a car or motorbike is presented to a racing team before modifications, it is delivered in a prime black finish, along with requested tweaked competition parts. So, the 'Dark' connotation is of extremely high performance."
Special Dark Upgrades
Whether your sources are digital or analog, the Cronus Dark will deliver an even more realistic and immersive experience. The upgrades are substantial. They consist of 25% more capacitance in the power supply, upgraded signal tubes, upgraded OP Amps in the phono stage, upgraded binding posts, and upgraded caps and resistors in numerous key locations.
Rogue Audio is leaving us somewhat in the dark as far as specifics regarding some of these upgraded Dark components. But ask yourself, does a master chef reveal every ingredient of a top-end culinary masterpiece? The results are what's important. Trust Rogue Audio to follow the tradition of its other over-the-top Dark Version components and deliver absolutely outstanding performance that will take your breath away.
Pure Tube Design
The Cronus Dark outperforms other integrated amps costing many times more. The pure tube design provides a smooth, almost liquid sound that has made this amp a reviewer favorite. With circuitry borrowed from Rogue Audio's most advanced amplifier designs, the Cronus Dark's 100WPC power delivery effortlessly reproduces even the most demanding musical passages.
A Triode / Ultralinear switch allows for on-the-fly switching between Ultralinear operation and pure triode. Ultralinear offers the most power and a commanding grip on the bass, while triode provides a slightly softer and more romantic sound.
The Cronus Dark uses a triode preamplifier coupled to Rogue Audio's excellent Atlas Magnum power amplifier. A large oversized linear power supply stores tremendous energy for low frequency response and dynamic headroom. The tube circuitry is cutting edge with short signal paths exacted in a low noise design. Finally, precision components are used to provide the transparency and air that are so critical to accurate musical reproduction.
Extraordinary Phono Stage
For vinyl enthusiasts, the phono section excels with both MM and MC cartridges. Two gain settings provide for 45dB and 60dB of gain so you can now use either high or low output cartridges. The phono also has five individual load settings so you can fine tune the phono for optimal results.
Additionally, the line stage has an amazingly low noise floor for a completely black background for your listening.
Premium Headphone Circuit
The premium headphone circuit is based around MOSFET buffers capable of massive current sourcing. The design is basically a simplified single ended version of Rogue Audio's RH-5 headphone amplifier and puts out enough power to drive the most difficult headphones for clean crisp personal audio.
