Rogue Audio
Medusa
Hybrid Class 'D'
200w @ 8 ohms / 400w @ 4 ohms
msrp - $3995
Just to get things started, this will be an ongoing review since I'm only into about 3-4 hrs listening to it........yes Bernard I had Mark pre-condition it for 500 hrs first .... LOL...:bowdown:
Last month Mark Obrien (Rogue Audio) and I had lunch, caught up on all things audio and when we finished he gave me (short term loan !) one of his Medusa Hybrid amps to put up against my Spire's.
This is a hefty amp, almost 40 lbs, which utilizes a a pair of Russian 12AU7's in the front stage in conjunction with MOSFET powered Class D output stage. As Mark explained to me the effect of the tube usage in the input stage coupled with the small amount of global feedback is to for the amplifier (in laymans terms) to behave more Class A like than D like like, thus reducing switching distorsion, etc.
For comparrison I have 'my reference' amps (SS-Plinius SA-102, TUBE-Rogue M-180 monoblock), all power, interconnects, etc. as per my system description.
As for my initial listening, CD, I found the Medusa to compare quite favorably with my Plinius. While there might be a tad less 'sparkle' on the top end, it held it's own everywhere else. But once the Plinius was biased (switched) to Class A operation it's mid-range magic was at a level above what the Medusa could muster...... and so was the heat output ! yet while in Class A/B the Medusa was every bit it's equal.
Put up against it's siblings (M-180 mono-blocks) faired quite well, again not quite the warm full midrange that I have come to love from the M-180's.
Keep in mind this is an initial observation, I've yet to listen to any vinyl through the Medusa and I do plan on rolling in a different pair of tubes.....I've got a sweet pair of 'black plate' RCA's that I plan on auditioning.
So far I'm impressed with what Mark has offered and will update with more detail as listening time allows.
Rogue Audio link to more 'Medusa info' - http://rogueaudio.com/Products_Medusa.htm
A pic of the Medusa atop my Plinius.......
Medusa
Hybrid Class 'D'
200w @ 8 ohms / 400w @ 4 ohms
msrp - $3995
Just to get things started, this will be an ongoing review since I'm only into about 3-4 hrs listening to it........yes Bernard I had Mark pre-condition it for 500 hrs first .... LOL...:bowdown:
Last month Mark Obrien (Rogue Audio) and I had lunch, caught up on all things audio and when we finished he gave me (short term loan !) one of his Medusa Hybrid amps to put up against my Spire's.
This is a hefty amp, almost 40 lbs, which utilizes a a pair of Russian 12AU7's in the front stage in conjunction with MOSFET powered Class D output stage. As Mark explained to me the effect of the tube usage in the input stage coupled with the small amount of global feedback is to for the amplifier (in laymans terms) to behave more Class A like than D like like, thus reducing switching distorsion, etc.
For comparrison I have 'my reference' amps (SS-Plinius SA-102, TUBE-Rogue M-180 monoblock), all power, interconnects, etc. as per my system description.
As for my initial listening, CD, I found the Medusa to compare quite favorably with my Plinius. While there might be a tad less 'sparkle' on the top end, it held it's own everywhere else. But once the Plinius was biased (switched) to Class A operation it's mid-range magic was at a level above what the Medusa could muster...... and so was the heat output ! yet while in Class A/B the Medusa was every bit it's equal.
Put up against it's siblings (M-180 mono-blocks) faired quite well, again not quite the warm full midrange that I have come to love from the M-180's.
Keep in mind this is an initial observation, I've yet to listen to any vinyl through the Medusa and I do plan on rolling in a different pair of tubes.....I've got a sweet pair of 'black plate' RCA's that I plan on auditioning.
So far I'm impressed with what Mark has offered and will update with more detail as listening time allows.
Rogue Audio link to more 'Medusa info' - http://rogueaudio.com/Products_Medusa.htm
A pic of the Medusa atop my Plinius.......
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