marichelney

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I'm absolutely delighted with my Rogue Audio Stereo 90, which I bought along with a Rogue Audio Athena preamp. I listen to classical music exclusively and decades of concert going have allowed me to know what music is supposed to sound like. Musicality is what I want from my gear and that is what the people at Rogue have given me. I've owned much fine, highly regarded equipment over the years since I bought my first receiver, a Fisher 500, in1964. I've never been more pleased than I am now. By the way, the support Rogue offers is excellent. I had a hum coming from my speakers, telephoned Mark O'Brien at Rogue who said there was a ground loop and then and there talked me through to a solution. My dealing with Mark was especially refreshing because I bought the Stereo 90 with a store credit my audio dealer was nice enough give me in lieu of the run around I recieved from the makers of a defective, considerably more expensive amp I bought months before the Stereo 90. Perhaps the best endorsement I can give Rogue, is my having, just yesterday, a Rogue Audio Tempest ll integrated amp.

patriot1

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 8.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from private party

Summary:
This is good sounding amp but I found mine to be noisy,an annoying hum from across the room.I called Rogue Audio and talked to Mark OBrien about it.He said ,ship to us and we'll fix it for you.I did that.After a few days I called him and he said,its all fixed.We replaced some resisters in the power supply and in the tube biasing to the meter.He also said that two of my input tubes (6sn7 I think)were noisy an that he would give me a great deal on some NOS coin bottom tubes.We usually get $50 each for them but seeing how they are already in the amp,.$25 each.I OK'd,got the amp back and it was humming like it never left the house.I called Mark OBrien and and told him.He said OK,I'll have another look at it.I said,I think you should pick up the shipping both ways.He told me he'll have another look at it but as far as picking up the shipping costs,he wasnt going to do that.I treid to use a few analogies of why he should but he really did'nt seem to care.I also said the new tubes he sold me made no difference in the humming compared to the ones I had originally.So he said ship them back and I'll credit your card for the tubes.He them said to me I've talked to long enough and hung up the phone on me. I later found when lifting up the cicuit board to replace the tube sockets (another story), that the resisters that he replaced,he soldered in WITH OUT lifting the circuit board.He did it from above .The soldering joints were awful to say the least.My total expenses to buy a new shipping box and have it shipped to my house.Ship and insure the Stereo 90 to Rogue,pay them and ship it back to me and ship the new tubes I DID NOT need was about $300..Lets not forget the time spent packing it,going to the shipper,time on the phone and the insult.Anybody got any bridges for sale?

rfthon

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 9.00 votes

Price Paid:  $2100.00 from Factory

Summary:
After some time listen to a solid state amplifier (NVA) I wanted to switch to a tube or class A solid state amp with enough power to use with most speakers. I ended up with the Rogue stereo 90.It has enough power to have grip on most loudspeakers and for the refind you can switch to triode.The mid and high frequencies remind me to the Audio Innovation First triode amp I have owned a couple of years ago.Very open ,liquid,transparant and easy on the ear. The bass is much better then from the AI First but not in the same leaque as some power solid state amp's.Now I am changing tubes just to change the sound to my own taste. For example I use instead of the 6550EH tubes , KT88 from JJ. KT 88 (from JJ)has a more 3D sound.I like it also more because it sounds more "crystal clear".Tube rolling can be very usefull to get most out from the Roque stereo 90. The Rogue stereo 90 delivers special in triode mode a 3D sound.Stage width and depth are very good.There is not the speed of some solid state designs but the musicality of the Rogue is of a high standard.Acoustic instruments shine through the Rogue effortless with a beautiful harmonic structure.

Strengths:
Price/performance ratio Built quality System compatibility by tube rolling.

Weaknesses:
If you don't like maintenance don't go for tubes!

Similar Products Used:
Audio Innovation First NVA solid state amp Le Classe A L'Audiophile (Hiraga)