Since PS Audio is going direct, the BHK 250 will be out of my price range when I make an amp purchase at year’s end. I am really enjoying my BHK pre amp that I recently purchased ( I sold my Rogue RP-5). The Stereo 100 is now back on my radar. Just curious who owns one or had owned one and what are your thoughts, likes, and dislikes.
I have heard one many times at a local Rogue dealer. I could not ask for better sound in every possible way. I am on the fence about this one for my final amp purchase- it will be the 100 if I decide to go tube power amp.
It sounded nothing like a tube amp in my system, except for its soundstage expanse, however, I was running it with a solid-state preamp. The bass was excellent but I missed the lush midrange of the CMII. Both amps have transformer hum in my system, even with a DC blocker upstream, so something to consider if you've had any past problems with dirty power. If I were to try the ST-100 again, I would run it with a full tube preamp.
I had one and it's a very good amp. Very heavy. Noisy sometimes depending on tubes. I'm using a Benchmark AHB2 now with my PS BHK preamp and couldn't be happier. It's my last power amp.
I have one and love it. Paired with a McIntosh C2500. Both are my only tube amp/preamp experiences. So take that with a grain of salt. I went from a Bryston 4b and the difference was huge. ( Audiophile's definition of huge) I'm now running vintage Amperex tubes and the stock KT120 power tubes. Mine is not noisy at all and none of the vintage tubes I ever tested made it sound noisy. In fact I can't even hear tweeter noise /hiss when I put my ear directly on the speaker. I have heard about the tube swish sound some tube amps have when dead silent. Mine does not have that at all. Just saying.
Sometimes when I've had a little of this I've been able to tighten down the transformers and improve the situation.
I had one before. Run with a vtl 6.5 pre. It was stunning. I rolled the tubes to JJ kt88 (n the pres too) from the original electro-harmonics. Had no hum probs.
I have the BHK pre myself. and on the fence about the AHb2 myself. One thing that has made me shy a bit with the Rogue is that I've heard about noise issues from others as well. AI'm also thinking of the new Primaluna EVO amps. The top tier models even has balanced inputs. Plus, they are mono capable (like the Benchmark).I'm afraid if I go with the Benchmark, I would still be wondering what all the fuss is about with tubes.
Definitely wasn't the problem unfortunately. I went through quite a lot of troubleshooting over the phone with Mark O. with no solution. It could be my incoming power as about half the amps I've owned behaved similarly.
Take it home and demo it and see if it has noise. Now that I think of it the demo unit did have some noise but mine has been dead silent, so maybe I got a good one.
Does anyone know if this would be a solid match with a Croft Preamp? Using Totem Hawk speakers. I know it’s a broad and subjective question but if anyone has insight, it would be ver appreciated!
Rogue and Totem are a good match. I have listened to the Stereo 100 with RP-1 and Totem Hawk. It was a great combo.
Excellent! Thank you. Hoping this will handle rock as deftly as I’ve seen it handle classical on some YouTube videos. As for the Croft preamp, it’s performed wonders with my Quad solid state. Hoping the Rogue will be a nice match as well.
I know I'm a little late to the party, here, but I used the Stereo 100 with Totem Hawks for a about two years and it was a great combination that I would ave been happy with for many years. I heard the Totem Tribe Towers and decided I liked them a bit more and now use them with my Stereo 100. But your Hawks should sing magnificently with the ST-100. On another note, has anybody upgraded their Stereo 100 to Dark? I'm wondering what the Dark upgrade sounds like.
I have purchased one recently. Took the time to go listen to it before I bought it. Couldn't be happier: very powerful amp, yet with finesse, not just dumb muscle. Drives my PSB X2T's with gusto: speakers go down to 30 Hz, and there is definitely no need for a sub. In fact, I even traded the sub in for a new NOS DAC. No hum at all - zilch, paired with a Brown Audio tube preamp - a pair of 6SN7 and one 6L6GC. Used in ultralinear mode only: cannot hear any benefit when switched to triode. For me - quite likely the endgame amp. Not saying I won't get another, but I won't trade this one in to do it. I traded in a Parasound 2250 and Cambridge Azur 851A to get my ST-100, and do not regret it for a second.
Mine is dead quiet. With original tubes it is not "tubey." But it has the three dimensionality and smoothness of tubes. Sound can be modified with tube rolling, both the power tubes and the small tubes.
I have had a ST100 in my system for about a year and love it. No hum - dead quiet. I'm driving PSB Synchrony ones and am relieved they can handle the difficult impedance load (down to 3 Ohms). I used to have an Atlas and the upgrade was significant (the Atlas did have a transformer hum).
A huge thanks for this! Sorry for super late reply but I just picked up the dark version, today. Currently rearranging the listening space and if you or anyone has any platform or stand recommendations that are affordable, would love to hear it. 60 lbs is No joke!
Hey Callahan : have you been happy with the upgrade? Will post impressions from my end but I’m starting with the dark version so can only post from there.
For the most part, yes. But to be fair, I bought new speakers around the same time I bought my Stereo 100 Dark. So, I wasn’t sure how much of a difference the Dark upgrade made and how much the speakers contributed to the better sound. It’s a great amp! I have zero complaints with how it sounds in my system. That said, I did just order a Leben CS 600X and plan on selling my Stereo 100 and RP-7 preamp. I’m trying to downsize a bit and the integrated amp is calling to me. I also like that tube rolling will a breeze. But yes, the Stereo-100 Dark is one hell of an amp! It can drive pretty much any speaker and sound great
hahaha amazing! That’s kinda what I thought may have happened. Congratulations on the new new upgrade!
