Sphinx V2 Integrated Amplifier from Rogue Audio
Dynamic, transparent, and profoundly musical, the Rogue Sphinx sets a new standard in affordable integrated amplifiers. Utilizing sophisticated circuitry borrowed from our most advanced designs, the Sphinx is able to outperform separates costing far more than this single box design. And with 100 watts of hybrid power, this integrated is capable of realistic volume levels that will rival the clarity and presence of the original performance.
The Sphinx contains a discrete headphone amplifier and an excellent phono section compatible with high output MM and MC cartridges. Active and fixed outputs allow for the addition of a subwoofer or other outboard devices. A high capacity linear power supply provides tremendous energy storage to recreate the deepest bass passages while various regulated power supply stages provide ultra smooth sound in the midrange and treble. The machined aluminum faceplate is available in either black or silver to compliment the rest of your components and the optional remote further adds the convenience of remote volume operation.
Here is an excerpt of a review by Herb Reichert :
“I went into this review with a clear prejudice against high-power class-D operation. I thought it would sound hard and generalized. I didn’t think the Sphinx would effectively drive my 10-ohm DeVore Fidelity O/93s or my 15-ohm LS3/5As. I assumed that its phono stage would be nothing special. I was certain it would spoil my nuits à Paris.
I was wrong on all counts. The Sphinx played a wide range of high-quality loudspeakers with cunning authority. Its tubed line stage had a sound that was highly detailed, dynamic, and surprisingly transparent. Driven by a high-quality, high-output cartridge, the Rogue’s passive RIAA phono stage was more than just okay or even respectable—it did high-speed boogie, air, and low-level subtlety.
In my full month of listening to the Rogue, I discovered the wisdom of its design. The Sphinx is all analog, which means that, five or even 20 years from now, everything the buyer paid for will still have value. If you upgrade your loudspeakers, that 100W amp should drive them without issue. If you get deep into vinyl, you can add a moving-coil step-up transformer—or even an outboard, super-quality phono stage into the Sphinx’s line inputs.
Digital is evolving and improving so quickly that if you listen mostly to high-resolution digital, you might not want your integrated to include its own DAC. With the Rogue, you can add the modest DAC du jour and surf all the latest computer audio waves. Unlike the Sphinx’s phono stage, whatever DAC these other integrated’s come with will surely be outclassed and upstaged by something better—and sooner rather than later.”