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Rogue Cronus too bright

Hi All:
I recently aquired a slightly used Rogue Cronus integrated amp. It's an upgrade from a Jolida 302B. The Cronus is a great amp and is a big improvement in alot of ways over the Jolida, imaging, detail, bass, etc. I do find however that it's a bit too bright for my taste. By that I mean on vocals like Norah Jones some of the high notes leave that wince in my ear that makes me want to turn it down, and it's not loud to begin with. My speakers are Totem Model 1 Signatures (87db) with Analysis Plus Bi-Oval 12 cables. A jolida CD playes and VPI table. Same result from either source. I didn't have this problem with the Jolida. I've upgraded all of the signal tubes in the Cronus. Preamp 12AU7 tube to a Mullard. 12AX7's to RCA long black plates, and other 2 12AU7s to RCA clear tops. Power tubes are stock KT77 from Rogue.

Can anyone offer any thoughts on this? Are these speakers not a good match for this amp? Are my tube choices contributing to the problem? Are there better tubes to try?

Thanks!
arch7
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Is there anything wrong with running 4ohm speakers at 8ohm? What sonic differences are there? Will they play louder or quieter?
4 ohm speakers played through 8 ohm speaker taps will sound a bit rounder, the bass will be looser, and the top may be rolled off a touch. There's nothing at all wrong with doing this. It's simply that the amp is not controlling the speakers quite as well as it can through the 4 ohm taps. However, it's fairly common to experiment with different speaker taps to flavor the sound to one's liking.
jh2os
244 posts
 
I just listened to the Cronus paired w/ Totem Arros & AP Bi-Oval 12 this weekend and heard nothing bright about this system. CDP was Naim CDX2. Granted the Arros have a soft-dome tweeter vs. alloy in the Model Ones. I am a fan of Totem speakers and have owned every floorstander minus the Shaman. I do have a preference towards the Arro/Sttaf w/ their soft-domed tweeters. Totem speakers (especialy the alloy tweeters) can be very revealing. I had the Winds paired with a Krell kav-400xi and used the JD100 to tame the potentially 'too detailed' highs w/ nice results. I used a PrimaLuna PLII w/ Arros with excellent results! I can't imagine getting a 'bright' sound from the Cronus from what I heard with the Arros, but if thats what you're hearing I hope you find a way to remedy it! Maybe it's simply revealing more detail that you've grown used to with the Jolida? And maybe you prefer a more 'laid-back' less detail-retreiving sound?

BTW, I enjoyed the sound of the Cronus enough to order one - can't wait to get it into my system!
tvad
9,467 posts
 
03-06-07: Jh2os
Arros have a soft-dome tweeter vs. alloy in the Model Ones...Totem speakers (especialy the alloy tweeters) can be very revealing.
Exactly.

I, too, am a fan of the Arros. I'd own them for a second system in a heartbeat.
stevecham
3,298 posts
 
What tubes are you running in the Jolida and what cartridge and phono stage are you using? Also, what cables are you using. These can make a big difference.
arch7 OP
35 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. Stevecham, in the Jolida I had Electro Harmonics EL34 tubes and the stock signal tubes (also EH tubes). I'm using a Dyanvector 10x5 cart & Jolida JD9 phono stage. I get the same results from the CD or phono. My interconnects are Analysis Plus Cooper Oval and the turntable uses the VPI phono cable. I have a Shunyata Cobra on the chronus, a Shunyata Alpha (non-helix) on the CD, and lesser, but good power cords on the TT and phono stage.
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