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Rogue 99 Mag re-tube Q

I want to re-tube my Rogue 99 Magnum and am unsure of what my choices should be. I know what I'd like to hear but I know jack about getting there. I listen to a wide range of musical genres and prefer a well defined, rich and wide soundstage at low to medium levels but want the shoot out the lights punch when needed. I'm looking for a do it all set up. I've heard that other Rogue owners like to split up the tube pairs so as not to attenuate the shortcomings of one tube type. Price is an object but for 4 tubes I think I can afford almost anything except maybe NOS TungSols or Mullards. Any intelligent thoughts are appreciated.
axspike
philjolet's avatar
philjolet
2,305 posts
 
The reason to buy different tubes for the 99 is because 2 of the tubes are used in a manner which does not affect the sound very much, about 10% (per Mark OBrien) if I remember right. So replace the other tubes with the best you can afford and save some on the 2 that are less critical.
kevziek
323 posts
 
Even though Rogue says the mu-follower, or second position tubes (these are the left tubes), have a small effect on the sonics, this is not true. They have a considerable effect, though not as much as the first position tubes. It is definitely more than 10%, probably more like 30-40%. Believe me, I know, because I own a Rogue M99.
axspike OP
34 posts
 
Thanks Kevziek. What did you put in your M99? Can you describe the sound?
dbui1
28 posts
 
Hi Axspike,
I’ve owned the Rogue 99 magnum and tried many diffident tubes. Here’re two of my favorites:

1st : Sylvania JAN-CHS-6SN7GT (1952’s tall bottle): They have very nice top end extension, liquid treble, lush mids, and solid bass also a bigger soundstage.

2nd: KenRad VT-231 (6SN7GT, mid-1940's staggered plates): killer bass, very dynamic, a bit dark and very smooth.

I talked to Mark O’Brian and he mentioned the layout of tubes inside the 99. The 2 on the right are from top to bottom: right channel amp tube and left channel amp tube. He suggested using the best tubes in these 2 slots. The 2 on the left are from top to bottom: right channel mu follower and left channel mu follower. The two tubes on the right are about 70-80% of the sound while the two tubes on the left contributing 20-30% to the sound. Good luck and keep us posted
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