Tubes

GE 12au7

I've had good luck across the board with Gold Lyon preamp tubes. Also with Gold Lyon KT-88s.

I have been putting some hours on my new tubes over the weekend and are happy with the results so far.Better soundstage ttighter bass a more detailed mids and uppers.Been in touch with Nick from rouge audio for some pointers also.I still love my DNA-1 which I’m going to incorporate into another system later on.

Love them, had KT150 and did not care for them. I enjoy the KT120s also. The 170 is a great all around tube. Like the 120 for Contemporary Jazz and Classical. Tubes are put away until it cools down. 

I have had many rogue mono blocks, I have found a Winner combo Mullard

4003/4004 sweet brings out the best  in these amps.

the Apollos have those in. before that the 120's

Good listening

@tkrtrb125 - I have the AH 100 power amp with KT150 tubes. I replaced the smaller tubes.
 

How do you like the KT170s? I’ve not had the opportunity to hear them.

My AH came with KT170's... 

I have two tube amps: Conrad Johnson and an Audio Hungary. The gold lions were stock tubes that came with the AH amp. Based on some recommendations, I went the route of NOS tubes. There was a clear sonic upgrade when I replaced the new gold lions. It’s an investment, but worth it in my book. 
 

Of course, it’s possible the Rogue is a completely different amp, but I’d bet NOS tubes would bring an improvement. 

@bluethinker what do you base this on?  Do you have the same ST100 by Rouge?  Just wondering what you opinion is based on, fact, or innuendo? 

Those Gold Lion tubes are not optimal. 

@thirsty93 - I recommend reaching out to Brent Jesse for NOS tubes. Those Gold Lion tubes are not optimal. 

Went with the pair of the gold lion12au7 and 12ax7 and Tung sol kt120 match quad set Whars my break in time on this set up?

@rooze  100% agree. I've been a huge NHT fan from the earlier days. 

Love those NHT 2.9 speakers...

I also run a pair of gold lion 12au7 /ecc82 in the rp1

My 2.9’s are 87db also

Two PS Vane 12AU7

Tubes, Two PS Vane 12AX7 Tubes, Four Tung-Sol KT120

Look for the Rogue group on Facebook (I love my Rogue Audio Gear) - you’ll get more feedback. The Gold Lion (Russia) KT88 has been getting traction as the favored power tube in Rogue amps. It has a better midrange than Tung-Sol KT120. The KT120 is still good, to be sure. KT90 are a bit bright in these amps. Rogue gear tends to have less midrange sweetness that other brands of tube components, so the Gold Lion KT88 is a good move to help mitigate that. 

Small tubes - you could go anywhere. Many vintage makes are great. New Russian options like Gold Lion, Mullard, and Tung-Sol are also great. Electro Harmonix 12AX7 / 12AU7 and 1980s Philips ECG tubes are too bright / sterile for me - not particularly recommended on either. RCA clear tops used to be the ubiquitous NOS 12AU7; they’re OK - I don’t love or hate them. Mullard anything is warm. You can also sub 12BH7 in for the 12AU7’s - it will give a more detailed, dynamic, punchy sound than 12AU7. This slot (amp driver) is about the only place you can get away with 12BH7 sub, because they’re much noisier than 12AU7 in other slots. 5814 is another 12AU7 sub you can use (much closer sub than 12BH7) - I like the GE gray-plate, triple-mica 5814.

Mark O’Brian (head guy at Rogue) recommended the Brimar and Telefunken small tubes in his amps for ages.

What tube is in it now?