Fusion
Active Member
An update...I finally started using my Rogue Tempest II.
Oh. My. God.
This is not at all what my old Audio Space Galaxy 34 sounded like, which had an overall thin sound. The Tempest II is full, rich, liquid goodness.
Bass loses some slam and snap compared to my Bryston, sounding just a little flabbier. But the richness and texture it has is just astounding, as is how deep it seems to go. I marveled at how the 118 never sounded thin...well it's like it gained an extra order of thickness with the Rogue, with weighty bass the likes of which I've never heard my system produce.
Mids are similarly rich and full sounding. Each instrument just feels like it is more live and there. Guitar, piano, drums; like they have a bit more flesh on their bones. All the while sounding clear and open, with an uncanny sense of space.
I notice a bit less of a difference in the highs. They are probably just a little bit subdued but not in a bad way.
I'm not sure what I will do here...the Rogue is a beast. Bigger and heavier than I'd like. I am afraid to put it on my audio rack so it sits on the ground on a couple of wood platforms, but there isn't enough room there either. I am mulling over my long term plans, which I think involve getting a lighter and smaller KT88/6550 integrated - possibly from Opera Consonance. I don't know if the sound will compare however. The tubes would be almost identical, but I know that's not the only factor in a tube amp's sound.
Oh. My. God.
This is not at all what my old Audio Space Galaxy 34 sounded like, which had an overall thin sound. The Tempest II is full, rich, liquid goodness.
Bass loses some slam and snap compared to my Bryston, sounding just a little flabbier. But the richness and texture it has is just astounding, as is how deep it seems to go. I marveled at how the 118 never sounded thin...well it's like it gained an extra order of thickness with the Rogue, with weighty bass the likes of which I've never heard my system produce.
Mids are similarly rich and full sounding. Each instrument just feels like it is more live and there. Guitar, piano, drums; like they have a bit more flesh on their bones. All the while sounding clear and open, with an uncanny sense of space.
I notice a bit less of a difference in the highs. They are probably just a little bit subdued but not in a bad way.
I'm not sure what I will do here...the Rogue is a beast. Bigger and heavier than I'd like. I am afraid to put it on my audio rack so it sits on the ground on a couple of wood platforms, but there isn't enough room there either. I am mulling over my long term plans, which I think involve getting a lighter and smaller KT88/6550 integrated - possibly from Opera Consonance. I don't know if the sound will compare however. The tubes would be almost identical, but I know that's not the only factor in a tube amp's sound.