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Need Tube Suggestions for Rogue Dragon Monos

I have been using the Rogue Dragon mono blocks for about a week now driving my Magnapan LRS+ and they are doing a great job. They have those panels by the short hairs and won't let go. Are they perfect? No, not quite. I would like more air and better layering in the staging. Tube rolling time.

Any suggestions for 12AU7 tubes to accomplish that? I have been rolling tubes in my preamp (Backert Labs Rhythm). I had a pair of Ray Select that were gutsy and textured but lacked the air/staging I want. Now listing to PSVane Horizons and they are closer to what I need.

I also have a pair of new production Mullards, a pair of Mazda NOS, and a pair of 5418A RCA Mil grade NOS. The tubes in the Dragons (also 12AU7) are the OEMs (not sure what) that come in it. Suggestions?

I'm also looking for a pair of NOS 6922 (Amperex?) for my tube buffer (between my Denifrips T+ 15th and my preamp). 

TIA!

markmuse
elliottbnewcombjr
7,696 posts
 

OP, sorry I cannot help you, except to agree with

@curiousjim 

I agree, I have been very satisfied with a variety of RCA’s for many units over the years, new, new match sets, and used ones people give me, pulled from yard sales, or came in the two Orange GE Serviceman Cases I bought at flea markets.

Sometimes, to solve a blowout, I’ll put 1 used one (thus a temporary mismatched pair) and keep listening until a matched pair I order gets here. Another reason to have a basic tube tester. The unmatched pair, with the used RCA always sounds good, while others, new or used can sound downright lousy.

I absolutely do not understand having tube equipment without having a basic tube tester. I would feel BLIND (and deaf) without mine.

mike4597's avatar
mike4597
303 posts
 

You might query Silversmith Audio on the suitability for the Fideliums for the Maggies given their current draw.  Jeffrey Smith is very responsive to inquiries, and, at one point I asked him about using his cables for my subwoofers, and he actually said they would not bring much improvement for subwoofers.  I did purchase a set of Fidelium XLR ICs to connect my DAC to my preamp, and I am getting superb sound quality out of a modest DAC (Schiit Gungnir2)--the sound does not appear to originate from the speakers but rather from a field between, around, behind, and above the speakers; some of the sound even appears to be coming from the behind the front wall, the depth is so good.  Much of this was the result of switching from some already very reputable cables to the FIdeliums.  I would ask and see what Jeffrey says.  Good hunting and great listening!

markmuse OP
335 posts
 

@mike4597  Ahhh, interconnects! I like what they did for your system! I'll call him.

markmuse OP
335 posts
 

@mike4597 Great suggestions! Using the Fidelium speaker cables now, with outstanding results! Thanks! While I tried and returned them before (2x!) in a completely different system, they are the cat’s meow now.

@buellrider97 see the Fidelium comment above. Still using the JJs in the Dragons but the sound is spectacular! I have a pair of Mazda 12au7’s I will put in them eventually. 


Thanks all!

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