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Rogue M180 replacement tubes

So last night as I powered off my amps, a terrible squeal came out of thr left speaker. I haven't had a power tube go in some time but my recollection is that the horrible noise I heard is an early sign of tube failure. Seems like I'm going to be in the market for some new tubes! Wondering what other power tubes people have tried in thr M180s and what your experience has been. 

To tell you a little more about my system my pre is a Rogue RP-7 and my s l eaters are Vandersteen Quatro Woods.  While the speakers aren't super efficient, they also have a powered sub so the amps don't have to work that hard as they're not driving the woofers, just tweeter mid and mid bass. Most of what I've read is that the KT120s the amp comes with are most people's favorite because the bass really tightens up but for me, that likely won't change much. Wonferinf if people have different 120s they like other than the stock tung sols or if there are 88s or 90s that people are partial to. 

rmdmoore
rmdmoore OP
163 posts
 

@500homeruns  I ended up buying JJ kt88s. I ended up liking them better than the kt120s. If you can afford some nicer 88s or 6550s I think you’d be happy. I would not bother spending a ton on NOS power tubes. Spend your money on the smaller signal tubes. You can also always talk to Nick or Mark at Rogue.

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,661 posts
 

FYI: Tung-Sol is the only manufacturer that makes KT-120 and KT-150 tubes!

500homeruns
11 posts
 

I live relatively close to Rogue Audio (less than an hour). I will probably give them a call and pick up some new tubes soon.

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,895 posts
 

Several of us in the Rogue group over on FBook have discovered that we actually prefer KT88 over KT120 in the bigger Rogue amps. My direct experience is with Apollos, but M180 should be similar. The KT88 midrange is better, and that’s where the Rogue amps need help - they can be a bit dry here. Triode mode doesn’t really touch it, but a good KT88 does.

KT120 will indeed improve bass slam, but that’s where the Rogue amps are inherently strong - they don’t need help here! Now on some of VAC’s amps we can have a bit of the opposite problem, and I prefer KT120 over KT88 there.

Gold Lion KT88 are excellent. EH KT88 are also good, just a different flavor - perhaps better tuned to "rock", while the GL are more refined.

The EH KT90 these amps used to ship with are a bit bright and not very "tubey" sounding. They are worse than either KT120 or KT88, unless your system is dark and needs a lift.

500homeruns
11 posts
 

@mulveling 

That is some really great insight!

I will definitely go with the Gold Lion KT88’s for power tubes. Any other recommendations for the remaining tubes in the Rogue monoblocks?

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