Upgrading the "original " Rogue Sphinx integrated amp to the new version 2 (v-2)??


I have the original Rogue "Sphinx" integrated amp which was introduced approx. 4 years ago. There are upgrades now available for $400.00 plus round trip shipping. The upgrades focus on headphone output level;  increasing output level of phono stage, and general noise floor reduction,  Has any original  Rogue. Sphinx owner had these upgrades done?? and is it WORTH IT, THAT IS, demonstrates a noticeable improvement in sound quality. especially noise floor

I ask because the upgrades with  shipping will cost $600 from Rogue's factory in Pennsylvania to the West Coast ( they will not pay for return shipping).  It is a nice integrated amp, but no classic. I have considered taking that $600 and adding maybe $1100, and buying something new or used mint that is superior in sound quality for around $1800-$2000. Must have a excellent phono stage that can do both MM/MC, and be 100-150 RMS.   All suggestions and recommendation are welcomed.   Thank you

sunnyjim
Sunnyjim, I've been a member for 10 years. You really think I'm "pulling your chain"?
Google 6moons review clones 25i.
And even without the 6moons search, I found clones audio easily.
Gimme a break.
Also, if you only ever read the mainstream audio publications, all you'll ever know of are the overpriced mainstream crap out there.
Put those rags down and expose yourself to companies that don't pay for full page advertising to get a good review.

Ok, Devil boy, chill.  I did not intend to offend you or Clones Inc,. but you have to admit that a  company called Clones, or product called Clones 25i  seems a big comical.  However, I will google or gargle up the Clones review on Six Moons. etc. 

As I noted before will these companies be in business in the next 5 years regardless of whether they made the review pages of the major audio rags or not. I am thinking of switching my subscriptions to "Muscle Cars"  and the scouting magazine" Boy's Life"       

To Devil boy. Checked out Clones Audio, and the price is reasonable for separates of AP2 pre-amp and 55PM mono power blocks. However, regardless of their great sound which seems to have impressed everyone at 6 Moons publication, the AP2 pre-amp has no phono or headphone amp. I could always buy an almost equivalent phono stage to much touted  PA1 and PS, like the Vincent two piece set usually on sale. However, the Rogue has a good to very good tube  head phone amp. I only use phones at night to listen to classical, but if I search for  the phono stage and head phone amp to accommodate AP-2, I would easily spend $600-800 for used items.  Worst case scenario, the pre-amp at $1120  plus 700.00 more for the other accessories, and the ticket is nearly $2000, and still no amp.

It  seems much more reasonable  if I was to buy separates instead of 25i integrated which also offers no phono or head phone amp, I would be better served finding an excellent pre-amp with at least a good headphone.  or a pre-amp with both good  phono and  headphone stages.  Unfortunately, the amps may not  match well with the output impedance of other pre-amps.

In some of the reviews, the name "Furjoe" is often referred to, who I assume is the design engineer who have designed  the 55PM  mono amps to work optimally. with ONLY his mono blocks.  Despite the reasonable pricing, this company's products are becoming less and less interesting to me because of their lack of utility functions. 

Therefore, DB, considering what you may feel is the ripoff of the big ticket items recommended by so-called major "ragazines"  , I am not convinced these products serve my sonic and/ or simple functional needs. however,  I don't need or want an inboard DAC,  HT loop, multiple inputs for several subs that many of the big ticket components feel is needed by consumers....  BS, they are just ratching up the retail price. and misdirecting manufacturing costs that could be used for better parts,  mil spec transformers, etc.  

I can appreciate Clones Audio desire to strive for the best sound without the bells and whistle, but a few are necessary.  BTW, there is also no guarantee the mono amp will sound good,  or have enough power with either the Maggie .7 or the 1.7i    I think I will pass at this moment, unless I hear them at some audio store in SoCal, and am convinced of their superior sound quality to Rogue, PASS. ARC. etc..