[Bigfishhk]

Has anyone heard both of these amps and have any feedback as to the comparison?
I have a Tempest 2. Am intrigued by the newer Cronus Magnum with kt 120's.
 
my system is
SB touch / NAD cd
Tempest 2 with GL kt 88's..
Salk Song towers
Rythmik 12" sub
Eastern Electric minimac dac plus
trasnparent Wave speaker cables (am auditioning some Clear day double shotguns also)

thanks

Tom
 

[decal]

I owned a Tempest II Magnum and have heard several Cronus units including the KT-120 version and to me, the Tempest wins hands down. I don't care for the KT-120 tubes, they sound too strident for my ears.You really should get your ears on both if at all possible. Also remember that the sound will change with different equipment and rooms. Both amps sound great so I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

[Bigfishhk]

I owned a Tempest II Magnum and have heard several Cronus units including the KT-120 version and to me, the Tempest wins hands down. I don't care for the KT-120 tubes, they sound too strident for my ears.You really should get your ears on both if at all possible. Also remember that the sound will change with different equipment and rooms.

thanks for feedback. Interesting especially regarding the kt 120's. 
 I can audition one at a dealer in NY but for sure it will not sound the same as in my room, in my system as you say.  The Tempest has pretty good dynamics considering the passive linestage pre amp. I could do with a bit more headroom volume wise.  But it's impressive in most departments.
Tom

[roscoeiii]

If you could use more headroom, then I would go with the active model.

And the above opinion on the KT120s is in the minority. Not that it isn't a valid POV, but myself and others have preferred 120s. There are always trade offs that intersect with personal prefs.

[Bigfishhk]

If you could use more headroom, then I would go with the active model.

And the above opinion on the KT120s is in the minority. Not that it isn't a valid POV, but myself and others have preferred 120s. There are always trade offs that intersect with personal prefs.[/color]

Hello. What,s your feeling re how they sound in comparison to the k88 's? It's a given that these are all subjective responses... if you have heard the Cronus magnum, what is your opinion of it?

Also intrigued by their new hybrid amps, I think they are called Medusa. Anyone got feedback on them?

Thank you
Tom
 

[Ericus Rex]

I owned a Tempest II Magnum and have heard several Cronus units including the KT-120 version and to me, the Tempest wins hands down. I don't care for the KT-120 tubes, they sound too strident for my ears.You really should get your ears on both if at all possible. Also remember that the sound will change with different equipment and rooms. Both amps sound great so I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

+1

The Tempest 2 sounds much larger and more powerful, with an 'ease' to the sound the Cronus doesn't have.  I like the Cronus too.  If you listen to small scale music you may prefer the Cronus.  The slightly thinner sound may suit your taste in music better, giving it a 'purity' you may prefer.

The Tempest 2 does support the KT120.  You just have to buy them from Rogue since they must be custom selected for height.  Apparently, some of the bottles won't fit in the Tempest chassis.

[Bigfishhk]

+1

The Tempest 2 sounds much larger and more powerful, with an 'ease' to the sound the Cronus doesn't have.  I like the Cronus too.  If you listen to small scale music you may prefer the Cronus.  The slightly thinner sound may suit your taste in music better, giving it a 'purity' you may prefer.

The Tempest 2 does support the KT120.  You just have to buy them from Rogue since they must be custom selected for height.  Apparently, some of the bottles won't fit in the Tempest chassis.

do you think that the k120's would sound good with Tempest 2?   I asked MArk about the k 120's once and he said, I quote- "They won't fit once they et hot and expand the glass."

[Bigfishhk]

 
The Tempest 2 sounds much larger and more powerful, with an 'ease' to the sound the Cronus doesn't have.     If you listen to small scale music you may prefer the Cronus.  The slightly thinner sound may suit your taste in music better, giving it a 'purity' you may prefer.
 

Agree the Tempest has a really rich, powerful sound even at moderate volume. How do you find the bass control and sound?

[mick wolfe]

I owned a Tempest II Magnum and have heard several Cronus units including the KT-120 version and to me, the Tempest wins hands down. I don't care for the KT-120 tubes, they sound too strident for my ears.You really should get your ears on both if at all possible. Also remember that the sound will change with different equipment and rooms. Both amps sound great so I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Everyone is going to have an opinion on this one, but in my Latino ST120, I preferred the GL KT88 over the KT 120. Never really got the additional sense of ease I was looking for and yes, I did notice a touch of stridency. I know this has little bearing on how the KT120 will sound in a Rogue, but I had to throw it out there.

[Ericus Rex]

do you think that the k120's would sound good with Tempest 2?   I asked MArk about the k 120's once and he said, I quote- "They won't fit once they et hot and expand the glass."

That's interesting as what I wrote also came directly from Rogue.  Maybe after telling you that they found that there were some KT120s that were just short enough to fit?  I plan on ordering some from Rogue for my Stereo 90 soon so I'll have more up-to-date info then.

Agree the Tempest has a really rich, powerful sound even at moderate volume. How do you find the bass control and sound?

My Stereo 90 sounds great.  The Tempest 2 is basically a Stereo 90 with volume control.  My speakers spit out lots of tube amps.  They need lots of control or they just sound quite flabby in the bass.  The Stereo 90 handles bass quite nicely where some other big name amps fell short.  I really don't understand why this amp and the Tempest II & III get/got (Tempest is now discontinued...) very little press.   

Generally speaking, if you're looking for a lush, syrupy, tooooby sound then Rogue stuff isn't for you.  If you want the beauty and air of tubes but with a bit more of a SS slam and punch then Rogue is right up your alley.  That being said, I haven't heard there hybrid stuff.