Reference-Level Hybrid Performance with the Rogue Audio Pharaoh II Dark
The Rogue Audio Pharaoh II Dark Integrated Amplifier elevates Rogue's powerful Pharaoh II platform with a carefully selected package of premium components designed to extract greater transparency, resolution and dynamic performance. Combining a pure tube mu-follower preamplifier with Hypex NCORE solid-state power amplification, the Pharaoh II Dark delivers 250 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 400 watts per channel into 4 ohms, providing tremendous control and headroom for demanding high-performance loudspeakers.
The Dark treatment goes beyond cosmetic changes with larger power-supply capacitors, upgraded coupling and input capacitors, Naked Vishay resistors in critical circuit locations, upgraded phono-stage components, improved speaker binding posts and premium JJ Gold Pin 12AU7 tubes. Add an adjustable MM/MC phono stage, balanced XLR input, home theater bypass, processor loop, remote volume control and powerful hybrid headphone amplifier, and the Pharaoh II Dark becomes a formidable one-box centerpiece for a reference two-channel system.
Highlights & Benefits
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Pharaoh Dark Premium Upgrades — Larger power-supply capacitors, upgraded coupling and input capacitors, Naked Vishay resistors, phono-stage improvements, upgraded binding posts and premium JJ Gold Pin tubes elevate performance beyond the standard Pharaoh II.
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250 WPC into 8 Ohms / 400 WPC into 4 Ohms — Massive output capability provides exceptional dynamic headroom and confident control of demanding floorstanding loudspeakers.
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Tube Mu-Follower Preamplifier — A pair of premium 12AU7 tubes provides the dimensional imaging, natural midrange and harmonic character associated with Rogue Audio's tube electronics.
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Adjustable MM/MC Phono Stage — Integrated phono circuitry accommodates moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges with selectable gain and adjustable loading.
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Extensive System Connectivity — RCA and balanced XLR inputs, home theater bypass, processor loop and a high-power hybrid headphone amplifier make the Pharaoh II Dark exceptionally versatile.
Technology & Design
Pure Tube Mu-Follower Preamplifier — The Rogue Audio Pharaoh II Dark Integrated Amplifier uses two premium JJ Gold Pin 12AU7 tubes in a mu-follower topology for its critical line-level preamplifier stage. This architecture provides the dimensionality and tonal character of tubes before handing the signal to the high-current solid-state output section.
Hypex NCORE Power Amplification — The Pharaoh II's output section is built around highly regarded Hypex NCORE OEM amplifier modules. Delivering 250 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 400 watts per channel into 4 ohms, the design combines high efficiency with extremely high damping factor and authoritative loudspeaker control.
Dark Power-Supply & Signal-Path Upgrades — Larger power-supply capacitors increase available energy storage, while improved coupling capacitors, upgraded input capacitors and Naked Vishay resistors at key circuit locations further refine the signal path. These Dark modifications are designed to improve dynamics, detail, imaging and performance at the frequency extremes.
Advanced Analog System Integration — The Pharaoh II Dark incorporates an adjustable MM/MC phono stage, balanced XLR connectivity, three RCA line inputs, home theater bypass, processor-loop functionality and a dedicated tube/MOSFET headphone circuit. This combination allows the amplifier to serve as the central analog control component in sophisticated stereo and mixed music/home-theater systems.
FAQ — Rogue Audio Pharaoh II Dark
What makes the Pharaoh II Dark different from the standard Pharaoh II?
The Rogue Audio Pharaoh II Dark Integrated Amplifier adds larger power-supply capacitors, upgraded coupling capacitors, upgraded input capacitors, Naked Vishay resistors in critical locations, upgraded phono-stage resistors, improved speaker binding posts and JJ Gold Pin 12AU7 tubes. These upgrades are focused on increasing transparency, dynamics, detail and overall refinement.
How much power does the Pharaoh II Dark produce?
The Pharaoh II platform delivers 250 watts per channel into 8-ohm loads and 400 watts per channel into 4-ohm loads. Its high output capability and damping factor greater than 1000 make it well suited to demanding high-performance loudspeakers.
Can I connect both MM and MC cartridges directly to the Pharaoh II Dark?
Yes. The built-in phono stage supports both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges with selectable gain and adjustable cartridge loading. This allows many high-performance turntables to connect directly without requiring a separate phono preamplifier.
Can the Pharaoh II Dark be integrated into a home theater system?
Yes. Home theater bypass allows the Pharaoh II Dark's power-amplifier section and connected front speakers to become part of a multichannel theater system while retaining the Pharaoh's dedicated two-channel performance for music listening.
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