{"product_id":"rogue-audio-pharaoh-ii-dark-integrated-amplifier","title":"Rogue Audio Pharaoh II Dark Integrated Amplifier","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"max-width:720px;margin:0 auto;padding:32px 24px 48px 24px;background:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:0 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat the Dark Package Adds to a Pharaoh II\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe Pharaoh II Dark is the standard Pharaoh II with Rogue's Dark component package fitted at the factory. The circuit is the same. What changes is what the signal passes through on its way out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eRogue lists the package this way. Power supply upgrades. Upgraded coupling and input capacitors. Naked Vishay resistors in key spots. Upgraded resistors in the phono stage. Upgraded binding posts. And JJ Gold Pin 12AU7 tubes in place of the standard pair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eNone of that changes the power rating or the connections. It is a parts upgrade, aimed at transparency rather than watts. If those parts are not what you want, the standard Pharaoh II is the same amplifier for less.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eTubes in Front, Hypex Behind\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe preamp stage is a pair of long-plate 12AU7 tubes in a mu-follower topology. Power comes from Hypex N-CORE modules. The pairing is the whole point: tube character at the input, 250 watts a channel of solid-state grip at the output.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eInto 4 ohms that becomes 400 watts. Rogue rates it 5Hz to 20kHz within 1dB. It runs very cool for its output. The manual asks for just an inch of clearance at the sides and top, so a cabinet or a rack shelf is fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eThe Phono Stage and the Headphone Amplifier\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe phono stage takes high-output moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, and low-output moving coil too. Gain is 40dB for MM and 63dB for MC. Rogue holds RIAA accuracy to within 0.25dB from 20Hz to 20kHz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eCartridge loading is adjustable, but note how. The DIP switches sit inside the chassis. Changing them means shutting the amplifier down fully and taking the cover off. Treat it as a setup task, not something to tweak between records.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe headphone amplifier is a hybrid tube and MOSFET circuit. It is rated 2 watts a channel into 32 ohms through a quarter-inch jack. Press the headphone button and the amp drops into partial standby, running only the tubes and low-voltage circuits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eEverything the Back Panel Offers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eInputs are phono, three line-level RCA pairs, and one balanced XLR pair. Outputs come in two sets. Variable outputs are buffered, for a subwoofer or a second amplifier. Fixed outputs suit a recorder or an outboard headphone amp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eA processor loop takes an external signal processor. A unity-gain input pair bypasses the preamp entirely for home theater use. Binding posts accept spades or bananas. Volume sits on the front panel, or on the remote in the box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat Reviewers Are Saying\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eRic Mancuso gave the Pharaoh II a Best of 2022 award at \u003cem\u003eEnjoy the Music\u003c\/em\u003e in September 2022. He heard it as \"open sounding and airy without the sacrifice of weight,\" calling it \"a full-bodied sound, but is not thick.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eHe credited the front end: \"the tube section gives the amp the depth and quickness like a pure good tube component.\" Against the first Pharaoh he found \"more transparency and detail,\" with \"explosive dynamics, when called for.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eTwo cautions are worth knowing. Mancuso warns that engaging unity gain hands volume control to your processor: \"the gain is all out full volume! Bamm! Be mindful of that scenario.\" And for all its connections at this price, the Pharaoh II Dark has no DAC and no digital inputs of any kind, so every source arrives as analog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWho Is This Integrated Amplifier Best For?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYour speakers are hard to drive\u003c\/strong\u003e — 250 watts into 8 ohms and 400 into 4 will hold onto demanding loads that tube power cannot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou want tubes without tube maintenance on the output\u003c\/strong\u003e — only two 12AU7s to replace, and the power section is solid state.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVinyl is central and your cartridge is moving coil\u003c\/strong\u003e — 63dB of MC gain and adjustable loading mean low-output cartridges work without a separate stage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou listen through headphones as often as speakers\u003c\/strong\u003e — 2 watts into 32 ohms from a tube and MOSFET circuit, with the power amp idled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIf your music is digital, budget for a converter\u003c\/strong\u003e — there are no digital inputs at all. A streamer or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/digital-to-analog-converters\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eDAC\u003c\/a\u003e connects to one of the line inputs, and you will want a good one at this level.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eHow Does It Connect to Your System?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eSpeakers go to the upgraded binding posts, spades or bananas. A turntable goes to phono with its ground lead attached. If your cartridge needs different loading, set the internal DIP switches before you rack the amplifier, not after.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eA DAC or streamer takes one of the three line inputs, or the balanced XLR pair if it has one. A subwoofer takes the variable outputs, which are buffered so the sub cannot interact with the Pharaoh's own circuitry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eOne habit to build: after switching the amplifier off, wait a full minute before switching it back on. Rogue is explicit that rapid cycling does not let the power supply discharge and can produce transient noises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003ePairs Well With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eBuilding around the Pharaoh II Dark? Here are some good companions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpeakers:\u003c\/strong\u003e 250 watts a channel opens up the demanding end of the range — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/floorstanding-speakers\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eFloorstanding Speakers\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTurntable:\u003c\/strong\u003e The MM and MC phono stage is already inside — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/turntables\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eTurntables\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeadphones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two watts into 32 ohms deserves a real pair — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/headphones\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eHeadphones\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterconnects:\u003c\/strong\u003e Feed that balanced input properly — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/interconnect-cables\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eInterconnect Cables\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eHow is the Dark different from the standard Pharaoh II?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eSame circuit, better parts. Rogue fits power supply upgrades, upgraded coupling and input capacitors, naked Vishay resistors, upgraded phono-stage resistors, upgraded binding posts and JJ Gold Pin 12AU7s. Power and connections are identical to the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/rogue-audio-pharaoh-ii-integrated-amplifier-black\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003estandard Pharaoh II\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eHow much power does it deliver?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003e250 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 400 watts per channel into 4 ohms, from Hypex N-CORE modules. Distortion is under 0.1% typical, rising to under 1% at rated power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eDoes it have a DAC or digital inputs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe Pharaoh II Dark is entirely analog — phono, three line-level RCA pairs and one balanced XLR pair. Digital sources need their own DAC or streamer feeding a line input.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWill the phono stage handle a moving-coil cartridge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eYes, including low-output moving coil. Gain is 40dB for MM and 63dB for MC. Loading is adjustable by DIP switches inside the chassis, so set it with the amplifier fully powered down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhich tubes does it use, and how often do they need replacing?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eTwo 12AU7s in the preamplifier stage — JJ Gold Pin in the Dark. The power section is solid state, so there are no output tubes to bias or replace. Call us if you would like a spare pair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eIs it covered by a warranty?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eRogue Audio warrants parts and workmanship for three years from the date of retail purchase, and the vacuum tubes for six months. The warranty card must be returned within 30 days of purchase to validate it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eSee It in Action\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.5em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eOur own walkthrough of what makes the Pharaoh II platform work:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2qfT0j9XYxs\" title=\"Why the Rogue Audio Pharaoh 2 is the Ultimate Hybrid Amplifier\" style=\"border:0;margin:0 0 0.9em 0;display:block;\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.5em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eA closer look at the chassis and back panel in 4K:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LNV6XFYVEkg\" title=\"Rogue Audio Pharaoh II Integrated Amplifier - McClelland Inc - 4K\" style=\"border:0;margin:0 0 0.9em 0;display:block;\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhy Audio Advisor?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReal Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eWant to learn more about tube hybrid amplifiers, setting up a moving-coil cartridge, or matching speakers to a high-power amplifier? Visit our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learningcenter.audioadvisor.com\/\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eLearning Center\u003c\/a\u003e for guides, tips, and expert advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n\t\t.backInStock {\n\t\t    visibility: hidden;\n\t\t}\n\t\t.backInStock span {\n\t\t    visibility: hidden;\n\t\t}\n\t\t\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Rogue Audio","offers":[{"title":"Black \/ New","offer_id":45982768201901,"sku":"NEW-RAPHARIIDK-BLK","price":4995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver \/ New","offer_id":45980586803373,"sku":"NEW-RAPHARIIDK-SIL","price":4995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/RAPHARIIDK-SIL_01_front_2026__20483.1769031068.1280.1280_0bb9ea4b-94e7-4edb-9ce5-01952952ff8a.jpg?v=1778166002","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/rogue-audio-pharaoh-ii-dark-integrated-amplifier","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}