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Recommended Component 2024 – Stereophile
Pushes Pharaoh Performance to the Highest Level Yet
When the engineering team at Rogue Audio began development of the Pharaoh amplifier, they had one overarching goal. They wanted to design an integrated amplifier that, without compromise, would offer the performance of the finest separates. They succeeded beyond expectations with the original model of the hybrid tube and solid state Pharaoh.
But that wasn't the end of the story. The new Pharaoh II pushes that performance to an even higher level. A new amplifier circuit designed around the Hypex N-core amplifier modules increases both power and performance. The preamplifier includes numerous upgrades as well as an improved phono section and an all-new hybrid headphone amplifier.
"Recommended Component" Honors
Stereophile honored the Pharaoh II by awarding it the magazine's coveted Recommend Component status for 2024.
According to Stereophile,"With an LP of small-scale Dowland works, HR commented that the phono input was 'pure of tone, clear as water, and light on its feet.' He summed up the Pharoah II by saying it 'delivered enough quiet, clear, clean, effortless class-D power to drive the hard-to-drive… GoldenEar BRX and the current-sucking Magnepan .7 speakers,' adding that the Pharaoh II's phono stage was the best he'd ever found in an integrated amp."
Ric Mancuso at Positive Feedback notes, "The performance, convenience, and value of the Pharaoh II make it hard to pass up for audiophiles with budget constraints or who just want an end game system for themselves."
Solid State Power Amplification with Tube Preamplification
The Pharaoh II uniquely combines solid state power amplification with tube preamplification to deliver amazing dynamics as well as the organic midrange and sweet top end that only a tube amp can provide.
From a technical standpoint, the all-important preamplifier section utilizes a pair of long plate 12AU7 tubes configured in a mu-follower topology. Large coupling capacitors and a host of exotic parts ensure that the audio signal is preserved perfectly during this critical stage of amplification. A huge linear power supply is then used to deliver energy to the solid state power amplifier section. Designed around the highly regarded Hypex N-CORE OEM modules, the amplifiers provide seemingly unlimited power and dynamics.
Along with truly outstanding sonics, the Pharaoh II boasts numerous features including a tube/MOSFET headphone circuit, MM/MC user- adjustable phono, home theater bypass, remote controlled volume with mute, and a processor loop. The Pharaoh II is truly a "one box" solution to all your amplifier needs.
"Best Phono Stage I've Ever Found in an Integrated Amp"
There's no need for an outboard phono preamplifier to enjoy your vinyl records at their best. The built-in phono stage provided in the Pharaoh II is highly flexible and will accommodate both high output moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges as well as low output MC cartridges.
You can adjust phono stage settings to precisely match your cartridge by configuring the small blue DIP switches on the circuit board. See the manual for instructions. The until comes from the factory adjusted for a standard moving magnet cartridge, so you probably don’t have to make any adjustments unless you are using a moving coil cartridge.
So how good is this phono stage? It isn't merely good. It is unequivocally great. In his December 2022 review, Stereophile's Herb Reichert writes, "Forgive me if I am overworking the Pharaoh's phono stage. I can't help myself. … I can't imagine Pharaoh II users wishing for a better phono stage."
Reichert goes on to say, "When I wrote the intro to this story, I already knew the outro: Rogue Audio's Pharaoh II integrated amplifier delivered enough quiet, clear, clean, effortless class-D power to drive the hard-to-drive GoldenEar BRX and the current-sucking Magnepan .7 panel speakers… it did more: It showed me the best phono stage I've ever found in an integrated amp. No question, I got more than what I asked for."
The Pharaoh Takes Command of Your Music
The Pharaoh takes command of your music with a kingly power delivery of 250 watts-per-channel at 8 ohms and a truly majestic 400 watts-per-channel at 4 ohms.
From a technical standpoint, the all-important preamplifier section utilizes a pair of long plate 12AU7 tubes configured in a mu-follower topology. Large coupling caps and a host of exotic parts ensure that the audio signal is preserved perfectly during this critical stage of amplification. A huge linear power supply is then used to deliver energy to the solid state power amplifier section. Designed around the highly regarded Hypex OEM modules, the amplifiers provide seemingly unlimited power and dynamics.
A low power standby mode allows critical amplifier sections to remain continuously powered on (if desired), and a slow start feature allows the tubes to warm up gradually to eliminate turn-on noise and greatly extend tube life. Short circuit protection also safeguards your gear.
Additionally, ultra-high-quality parts are used exclusively throughout the design for the highest quality performance and reliability, including Mundorf EVO oil coupling caps. Connections consist of three pairs of line level inputs, one pair of phono inputs, one pair balanced XLR inputs, and one 1/4" headphone jack.
Designed and Hand Built in the USA
The Pharaoh is entirely designed and hand built in the USA. Each unit is individually fully tested, burned-in, and auditioned, assuring you of great sound right out of the box. It comes with a three-year manufacturer's limited warranty from Rogue Audio (six months on the tubes).
The machined aluminum faceplate is available in either black or silver to compliment the rest of your components and includes an audiophile quality detachable IEC-type AC power cable.
