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Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III Integrated Amplifier

On Display at The Listening Room
In stock
Regular price $4,495.00
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Call or text: 410-239-2020

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At this level, every detail matters: your room, your system, what you’re driving it with, what you’re listening to. I handle these orders personally because an investment like this deserves more than an Add to Cart button. We’ll work through system synergy, I’ll make sure the setup is right, and we’ll coordinate delivery so it arrives exactly how it should. A few of our brands require this direct approach, but at this price point, it’s how I’d do it anyway. Use the button above, or call/text me directly at 410-239-2020.

Mike's Take

These are some of the best values in high fidelity audio: one hundred watts per channel of tube power, enough to drive any pair of speakers including Magnepan. Everything is made in the United States: the chassis is bent by a local machine shop, the transformers are U.S. made, and the remote control circuit board is hand soldered in Pennsylvania.

You can switch between Triode and Ultralinear modes on the fly. Triode is a warmer, more vintage sound with a little more midrange emphasis. Ultralinear is cleaner, more linear, and more modern.

The Dark Edition has twenty five percent more power supply capacitance and uses upgraded components throughout. It feels significantly more powerful with larger and harder to drive speakers like the 3.7.

Availability

In-stock and ready for same-day pickup. Online orders typically ship within 24 hours. Pallet shipments take a couple of days to coordinate.

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Family-Owned Authorized Dealer

We're an authorized dealer for every brand listed on this site, so your warranty is valid and fully supported. We're a real brick-and-mortar shop in Chestertown, MD with shelves of actual inventory, not a drop-shipper. Family-owned and run for three generations, since 1978.

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The Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III is an all-tube integrated amplifier delivering 100 watts per channel, with a built-in phono stage, headphone amplifier, and the ability to switch between ultralinear and triode modes on the fly. It's designed and hand-built in Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania, and it sounds like it.

Key Features of the Cronus Magnum III

  • 100 Watts Per Channel: KT88-driven output stage in ultralinear mode, 60 WPC in triode mode
  • Triode/Ultralinear Switching: Switch between power and grip (ultralinear) or a softer, more harmonically rich sound (triode) on the fly
  • Built-In Phono Stage: MM and MC compatible with two gain settings (45dB/60dB) and five load settings
  • High-Performance Headphone Amplifier: 2W MOSFET-buffered output based on the RH-5 circuit
  • All-Tube Preamp Section: 2 x 12AX7 and 3 x 12AU7 driving the signal path
  • Buffered Variable Outputs: Dedicated subwoofer output plus active outputs for bi-amping
  • 4 and 8 Ohm Output Taps: Matches a wide range of speaker impedances
  • Slow-Start Sequencing: Protects tubes and extends component life
  • Aluminum Remote: Volume and mute control
  • Handcrafted in the USA: Designed and built in Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania

Amplifier Architecture

The Cronus Magnum III pairs a pure tube triode preamplifier with Rogue's Atlas Magnum power amplifier circuit. The preamp section uses 12AX7 and 12AU7 tubes to shape the signal before handing it off to four KT88 output tubes that produce 100 watts per channel. The large, oversized linear power supply with slow-start sequencing provides stable, clean power to the entire circuit, and short signal paths keep the noise floor low. This is the same fundamental architecture that earned the Cronus line its reputation, refined over three generations.

Triode and Ultralinear Modes

A front-panel switch lets you choose between two operating modes. Ultralinear mode delivers the full 100 watts per channel with a commanding grip on bass and dynamic authority for demanding passages. Triode mode drops to 60 watts per channel but offers a softer, more harmonically rich sound with a wider, more dimensional soundstage. Most listeners settle on one mode for a given pair of speakers, but having both means you can optimize for different recordings or listening moods without swapping gear.

Built-In Phono Stage

The phono section was completely redesigned for the Mark III and is one of the most capable built-in phono stages at this price point. It accommodates both MM and MC cartridges with two gain settings (45dB and 60dB) and five individual load settings, so you can properly match your cartridge without needing a separate phono preamp. RIAA accuracy is +/- 0.1dB from 20Hz to 20kHz. If you're running a turntable as your primary source, this is a significant advantage over competitors that either skip the phono stage or tack on an afterthought. For a dedicated external option with even more flexibility, see our Rogue Audio Ares II Phono Preamplifier.

Headphone Amplifier

The headphone circuit is based on Rogue's standalone RH-5 headphone amplifier, using MOSFET buffers to deliver 2 watts of clean, high-current output. It's a simplified single-ended version of the RH-5 circuit and drives demanding headphones properly, not just a token jack on the front panel.

What Changed from Previous Models

  • Redesigned Phono Stage: Now accommodates both MM and MC cartridges with two gain settings and five load settings (previous versions were MM-only)
  • Triode/Ultralinear Switching: Choose between full power and a more intimate sound on the fly
  • New Headphone Amplifier: Completely redesigned circuit based on the RH-5, delivering clean power for demanding headphones
  • Lower Noise Floor: Refined line stage provides a quieter background, letting subtle details come through

"Dark" Version

The Dark edition builds on the standard Cronus Magnum III with component upgrades throughout the signal path:

  • Enhanced power supply: 25% more capacitance, Hex Fred high-speed diodes, polypropylene bypass capacitors
  • Premium signal path: Ultra-premium coupling capacitors, Nude Vishay resistors in input stages, upgraded op amps in the phono stage
  • Upgraded tubes: Premium matched octets of KT88 or KT120 output tubes, upgraded small signal tubes from Psvane, Telefunken, and/or RCA
  • High-quality connectors: Rhodium binding posts from Cardas Audio, heavy-duty gold-plated XLR and RCA inputs

System Matching

With 4-ohm and 8-ohm output taps, the Cronus Magnum III pairs well with a wide range of speakers. It has enough power for moderately efficient floorstanders and the finesse for high-sensitivity designs. The buffered variable outputs let you add a subwoofer or bi-amp without compromising the main signal. Four line-level inputs plus the phono stage cover most source configurations, and the aluminum remote handles volume and mute.

If you need more power or want to separate your amplification, consider the Atlas Magnum III power amp paired with an RP-7 or RP-9 preamplifier. For a hybrid approach with solid-state output, the Pharaoh II is worth a listen.

The Listening Room Difference

We're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on trust, not hype. We've carried Rogue Audio for years because their products deliver real value and hold up over time. Every component is designed and built in Pennsylvania, and we're proud to support a manufacturer that shares our commitment to quality. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction.

Specifications

Performance
Power Output 100 WPC (Ultralinear) / 60 WPC (Triode)
Frequency Response 5Hz - 30kHz (+/- 1dB)
Tube Complement 2 x 12AX7, 3 x 12AU7, 4 x KT88 output tubes
Output Taps 4 ohm and 8 ohm
Phono Stage
Gain 45dB / 60dB (selectable)
RIAA Accuracy +/- 0.1dB, 20Hz - 20kHz
Cartridge Compatibility MM and MC, 5 load settings
Headphone Amplifier
Output Power 2W (MOSFET buffers)
Connections
Inputs 4 gold-plated RCA (Phono, Line 1, Line 2, Line 3)
Speaker Outputs Gold-plated binding posts (4 and 8 ohm taps)
Other Outputs Buffered variable outputs, active outputs for subwoofer/bi-amping
Construction
Power Supply High-storage linear supply with slow-start sequencing
Circuit Board Heavy (2 oz) copper with precision components
Faceplate Machined aluminum
Remote Control Aluminum remote (volume and mute)
Power Cord Detachable IEC
Power Requirements 120V - 50/60Hz
Physical
Dimensions 18" W x 17.5" D x 6.75" H
Shipping Weight 55 lbs
Warranty 3 years (6 months on tubes)
Country of Origin Designed and handcrafted in the USA