Issue date : 10/6/03
Rogue M-120
Vacuum Tube Monoblock
Power Amplifier
Owners Manual
Vacuum Tube Amplifiers
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase decision! We at Rogue Audio truly
believe that our amplifiers provide the “smartest” value in high-end
audio. If you have never owned a vacuum tube amplifier you will be
thrilled by the silky-smooth sound and incredible detail that only a
tube amplifier can provide. And with your Rogue Audio amplifier,
you can be sure that you are getting the very best in tube
amplification. We at Rogue Audio are extremely proud of our
products and want you to enjoy them to their fullest potential. So
please, take the time to read through this short manual so that you can
be confident that you have set up your amplifier properly.
SETTING UP YOUR POWER AMPLIFIER
tools required: phillips head screwdriver and a clean glove or cloth.
WARNING - This amplifier uses voltages that could cause
injury or death. Never open the amplifier while it is
plugged in, and always wait at least one hour after turning
the unit off to unplug and open the unit. Lethal voltages
can remain in the electronics after the unit is unplugged.
1) Opening the box - Carefully remove the amplifier from the box.
It is important that you retain the packing material and box in the
event that the amplifier ever needs servicing. The packing
material and box have been carefully designed to protect your
valuable equipment during shipping so you don’t want to throw
them away!
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1) Remove Shipping Pallet - The amplifier is shipped attached to a
shipping pallet. This pallet serves two purposes. First, and
foremost it acts to tie down the mechanically isolated transformer
platform. Secondly, it provides strength to the main chassis. Both
of these items are critical to ensure that no damage occurs in
transit. After removing the amplifier from the box and packing
material, CAREFULLY turn the unit upon its side. Remove the 4
thumbscrews and washers. Retain these screws and pallet in the
event that the unit ever needs servicing. See Figure 1.
WARNING : Shipping this unit without correctly attaching
the shipping pallet can result in serious structural damage
to the unit.
Shipping Pallet
Washer (4)
ThumbScrew (4)
Figure 1
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3) Remove Foam Packing – Carefully remove the foam from under
the tube cage at rear of chassis. It is important that you retain the
tube packing material in the event that the amplifier ever needs
servicing. See Figure 2.
Tube Cage
Foam packing
Figure 2
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4) Allign Tubes - Using a glove or a clean dry cloth, straighten any
tubes that may have tilted during shipment as shown in figure 3.
Ensure that tubes are fully seated in their ceramic sockets.
12AU7
12AX7
12AU7
Power Tubes
Power Tubes
(KT88 or 6550)
(KT88 or 6550)
Figure 3
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5) Matching Speaker Impedance - The Rogue M-120 provides
separate binding posts positions for both 4 ohm and 8 ohm
speakers, as shown in Figure 4. The impedance selected will
depend on the speakers used. Consult either the owner’s
manual for your speaker or your local dealer for the correct
choice.
8 Ohm Tap
4 Ohm Tap
Signal
Input
Power
Main
Fuse
5 Amp
Figure 4
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8) Attach Power Cord - Connect the IEC end of detachable power
cord to the amplifier, and plug opposite end into corresponding
outlet. See Figure 4.
10) Connections to other components -. The input connections from
the preamplifier are made via RCA jacks on the rear of the
amplifier. Be sure to use high quality interconnect cables - they
do make a difference. See figure 4.
11) Polarity - The Rogue M-120 amplifier is a non-inverting
amplifier (positive signal in gives positive signal out) so, for best
sound, care should be taken to ensure correct polarity at the
speaker terminals. If your preamplifier is also non-inverting, then
connect the positive (+) outputs of your power amplifier to the
positive (+) terminals of the loudspeakers and the negative (-)
outputs to the
(-) negative loudspeaker terminals. If your
preamplifier is inverting, then connect the positive outputs (+) of
you power amplifier to the negative (-) loudspeaker terminals,
and the negative outputs (-) to the positive (+) loudspeaker
terminals. If you are unsure whether your preamplifier is
inverting, check the owners manual or contact the manufacturer.
If all else fails, try both connections and listen to which sounds
better (do this using several different recordings as not all
recordings are made with correct phase).
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9) Amplifier Location - The Rogue M-120 amplifier is an open tube
design and is designed such that natural convection flow patterns
provide cooling as required. This cooling has been designed and
tested to ensure long term reliability and safety. Therefore, to
ensure proper cooling, the unit should be located in a position so
that these air flows are not impeded. Since there are vents on the
bottom of the unit, it should always rest on a firm surface to
ensure adequate spacing between the resting surface and bottom
of unit.
WARNING - To ensure proper cooling, the amplifier
should not rest on carpet or other soft surface. In addition,
the unit should not be set in an enclosed shelf, and should
have a minimum of 6 inches of free space on all sides.
Failure to allow proper spacing will cause the unit to
overheat.
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OPERATING YOUR AMPLIFIER
1) Powering up the system - First turn on the amplifier by pushing in
the “power” button. The red LED will light after several seconds
after which the unit is ready for use. Always turn on the
preamplifier in the system before the power amplifier and source
materials, and always turn off the power amplifier first
2) Breaking in the amplifier - As with many high-quality audio
amplifiers, the sound of the Rogue M-120 amplifier will improve
during the first few hours of use. This time is required for
components to “burn in.” No special techniques are required
other than standard operation.
3) Switching between ultralinear and triode operation - An
important feature of the M-120 monoblocks is that they can be
configured for operation in either triode or ultralinear mode. In
triode operation the amplifier will produce somewhat less power
but may offer a more appealing sound with some speaker/room
combinations. To switch operating modes, there is a switch on
the rear panel of each monoblock. If the amp is not switched off
a small and harmless switching noise will be heard when
switching from ultralinear to triode.
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MAINTENANCE
The Rogue M-120 has been designed to provide many years of enjoyable
and reliable service. The greatest care has been taken to select vacuum tubes
that provide superior sound and ensure long life. However, at some point in
time, the tubes will wear out. The factory installed tubes should last
thousands of hours. Should it become necessary to replace a tube, follow
the instructions listed below.
Replace Tubes by :
1) Turn off power at switch.
2) Wait one hour for dangerous voltages to dissipate.
3) Unplug power cord from wall socket.
4) Remove the tube cage.
5) Using a glove or clean dry cloth, carefully remove the tubes from
their sockets - DO NOT TOUCH ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL
COMPONENTS.
6) Obtain and insert a new set of tubes. It is recommended that a
new set of tubes be obtained from Rogue. If tubes are obtained
from another source, follow the diagram in figure 3 for tube type.
7) Insert new tubes in sockets using a glove or cloth. See figure 3 for
locations.
No other items in the unit are designed to be user serviceable.
WARNING - This amplifier uses voltages that could cause
injury or death. Never open the amplifier while it is
plugged in, and always wait at least one hour after turning
the unit off to unplug and open the unit. Lethal voltages
can remain in the electronics after the unit is unplugged.
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IF THERE IS A PROBLEM
Below is a checklist of possible solutions if any problems are encountered.
IF THERE IS NO SOUND
1) Check that all input and output signal connections are secure.
2) Ensure that all tubes are properly seated in sockets.
3) Ensure that power cord is seated securely.
IF SOUND DISTORTIONS ARE PRESENT
1) Ensure tubes are in proper locations. See Figure 3.
2) It is possible that a tube has gone bad. Return the unit to the
dealer to the dealer to test the tubes.
IF THERE IS A 50/60 Hz HUM
1) Make sure that both amps and the preamp are plugged into the
same outlet or power strip.
2) Use the circuit ground lift switch on the rear of one or both
amplifiers to break a ground loop.
3) Unplug all other equipment from the amps and work backwards
connecting the preamp, source, etc back in until the source of the
hum/ground loop is determined.
If these steps do not clear up the problem, please call Rogue Audio
Technical Support on 570-992-9901.
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OWNER AND WARRANTY REGISTRATION FORM
Included with this manual is an Owner and Warranty Registration Form.
Please take a minute to fill out this card and return it to Rogue Audio.
SPECIFICATIONS
output power
frequency response
THD
120 WPC
5Hz - 50 kHz + 3dB
< 0.1%
input sensitivity
dimensions
1.0 V RMS
18 ¼” W x 15 ¾” D x 7” H
42 Lbs
weight
power requirements
115/230V - 50/60Hz
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LIMITED WARRANTY
Warranty Period
This product has been manufactured under the highest standards of quality and
workmanship. Rogue Audio Inc. (hereinafter “Rogue Audio”) warrants this product
against defects in material or workmanship as follows:
With the exception of vacuum tubes, Rogue Audio warrants to the consumer all
parts of this product against defects in material and workmanship for a period of
three years from the date of retail purchase. Rogue Audio warrants the vacuum tubes
for a period of six months from the date of retail purchase. Any defective parts will
be replaced free of charge, excluding shipping and handling.
Proof of purchase in the form of a bill of sale or recited invoice which indicates
that the product is within the warranty period must be presented to obtain warranty
service. Rogue Audio suggests that the purchaser retain the dealers bill of sale as
evidence of the date of retail purchase.
What’s Not Covered
This warranty does not cover cosmetic damage or any damage that results from
product misuse, product abuse, installation error, connection to an improper voltage
supply, accident, improper maintenance, alterations, modifications not authorized in
writing by Rogue Audio, lightening, power surges, or acts of God. Use of any other
than Rogue Audio factory parts may void this warranty.
This warranty does not cover the cost of parts and labor which would be otherwise
provided without charge under this warranty, obtained from any source other than
Rogue Audio.
This warranty applies only to consumer use of this product and does not cover any
product that is used in any trade or business, or in an industrial or commercial
application.
This warranty is valid only in the United States.
YOUR RIGHTS
ROGUE AUDIO LIMITS ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES UNDER STATE LAWS TO A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED THE
WARRANTY PERIOD. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON
HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, AND SOME STATES DO NOT
ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR
EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY GIVES
YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY HAVE OTHER
RIGHTS WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
To Obtain Service
To obtain service, you must contact Rogue Audio and obtain a return authorization
number, The product must be delivered to Rogue Audio in its original packaging
prepaid at the following address:
Rogue Audio Inc.
PO Box 1076
3 Marian Lane
Brodheadsville, PA 18322
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THE ROGUE AUDIO MISSION .........
At Rogue Audio we design and manufacture vacuum tube amplifiers. There is
fierce competition in this market and we will only survive by delivering a
superior product and superior service - we have the engineering and
managerial talent to do so. Our core competencies are electrical, mechanical
and production engineering, along with an overarching passion for excellence.
These skills will be used to create products that offer outstanding value in the
high-end marketplace.
Rogue Audio amplifiers will always be engineered to provide the four key
elements of audio value:
•
•
•
•
superior sonics
high quality and reliability
an outstanding appearance
an affordable price
Our philosophy is simple - We will never design any amplifier that we would
not purchase for ourselves.
Rogue Audio Inc.
PO Box 1076
3 Marian Lane
Brodheadsville, PA 18322
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