In The House: The Rogue Audio Stereo 100 (KT120) Power Amp.

[Andre Marc]

In For Review:

Just arrived: The Rogue Audio Stereo 100 power amp.

It uses 4 KT120s to provide 100 wpc. The introductory price is $2995.

Early impressions indicate this may be one of the best sounding Rogue amps
I have heard to date.

 

[mep]

Is it pure Class A/B?

 

[Andre Marc]

Is it pure Class A/B?

http://www.rogueaudio.com/Products_90.htm

General Features:
- Ultra-wide bandwidth output transformers
- Massive fully regulated high voltage supply
- Matched quad output tubes

- Heavy-duty gold plated RCA inputs

- Heavy-duty gold plated binding posts
- User selectable 4 and 8 ohm output taps
- User selectable triode or ultralinear output
- (4) KT120, (2) 12AU7, (2) 12AX7 tube complement
- Built in bias meter

- Integral tube cage
- Machined aluminum faceplate
- Mechanically isolated transformers
- Heavy (2 ounce) copper circuit board
- All precision components
- Fully tested, burned in, and auditioned
- 3 year limited warranty (6 months on tubes)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Specifications:
- output power: 100 WPC minimum

- input impedance: 200K Ohms
- frequency response: 5Hz - 50KHz ± 1dB
- THD: <0.1% typ., <1.0% at rated power
- input sensitivity: 1.0V RMS
- dimensions: 18"W x 15¾"D x 7"H
- weight: 60 lbs.
- power requirements: 115/60Hz or 230V/50Hz

 

[mep]

I only asked the question because in your review of the Burson amp http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-power-amplifiers/stereo-amplifiers/the-burson-conductor-timekeeper-review-2.html you said:

The Timekeeper power amp is pure Class A/B, with excellent quality casework, connectors, binding posts, and a custom transformer.

Normally the term "Pure Class A" with regards to amplifiers is used to differentiate truly Class A amplifiers from those that are really Class A/B amplifiers. I have never heard anyone define an amplifier as "Pure Class A/B" because it's confusing and nonsensical. Pure Class A amplifiers are just that and Class A/B amplifiers generally put out a few watts of Class A output power before they go into Class B operation. So I was just wondering if "Pure Class A/B" was a term that Burson is using or one that you made up.

 

[Andre Marc]

I only asked the question because in your review of the Burson amp http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-power-amplifiers/stereo-amplifiers/the-burson-conductor-timekeeper-review-2.html you said:



Normally the term "Pure Class A" with regards to amplifiers is used to differentiate truly Class A amplifiers from those that are really Class A/B amplifiers. I have never heard anyone define an amplifier as "Pure Class A/B" because it's confusing and nonsensical. Pure Class A amplifiers are just that and Class A/B amplifiers generally put out a few watts of Class A output power before they go into Class B operation. So I was just wondering if "Pure Class A/B" was a term that Burson is using or one that you made up.

Burson uses the term and asked me to use it for one reason. They were afraid that because of the price and small foot print it would be mistaken for that devil Class D.

 

[DaveyF]

Looks like a great amp, Andre. Any thoughts on how it compares to your ARC?
BTW, i read your Burson review and thought it was very well written. The Burson mono blocks should be an interesting listen.

 

[Andre Marc]

Looks like a great amp, Andre. Any thoughts on how it compares to your ARC?
BTW, i read your Burson review and thought it was very well written. The Burson mono blocks should be an interesting listen.

Hi Davey:

It is early days yet, but the Rogue outperforms my ARC in several key areas including bass articulation,
overall weight, and life like scale. It is a fair comparison, as both amps use Tung Sol KT120s.

Still a lot of listening to do. This is the fourth Rogue amplifier I have had in, and I have heard virtually
every model at shows. Off the charts value, made in the USA, and crazy build quality.

Thanks for the kind words! The Burson stuff is really wonderful, in mono block configuration it
goes to another level.

 

[Andre Marc]

Looks like a great amp, Andre. Any thoughts on how it compares to your ARC?
BTW, i read your Burson review and thought it was very well written. The Burson mono blocks should be an interesting listen.

The only downside with the 100 wpc out put is the heat!!!! BTW, I don't know if the picture portrays this, but it is a BIG
amp.

Getting in a pair of Kef LS50s to pair it with.

 

[puroagave]

ive got a rogue tempest III w/ KT120 driving harbeth s-HL5 and it's a wonderful match. great bass extension, control and extended top end. its very similar to the stereo 100 but is 90 wpc and has a remote-controlled passive linestage.

 

[DaveyF]

The only downside with the 100 wpc out put is the heat!!!! BTW, I don't know if the picture portrays this, but it is a BIG
amp.

Getting in a pair of Kef LS50s to pair it with.

Andre, I will be extremely interested in your thoughts of the LS 50's and the Rogue combo.

 

[asiufy]

What ARC did you compare it to?

 

[Andre Marc]

ive got a rogue tempest III w/ KT120 driving harbeth s-HL5 and it's a wonderful match. great bass extension, control and extended top end. its very similar to the stereo 100 but is 90 wpc and has a remote-controlled passive linestage.

The Tempest is a great amp. I can only imagine how nice it sounds with the S-HL5.

 

[Andre Marc]

Andre, I will be extremely interested in your thoughts of the LS 50's and the Rogue combo.

I will find out later today! I will also be using my Harbeth Compact 7's and Thiel CS2.4s as well.

 

[Andre Marc]

What ARC did you compare it to?

VS 55 w/KT120s

 

[Peter Breuninger]

The only downside with the 100 wpc out put is the heat!!!! BTW, I don't know if the picture portrays this, but it is a BIG
amp.

Getting in a pair of Kef LS50s to pair it with.

LS50s like solid state, 100wpc tube... it ain't going to be happening.

 

[Andre Marc]

LS50s like solid state, 100wpc tube... it ain't going to be happening.

Medium/small room. I don't think there will be a problem. However, like all arranged marriages, the wedding night should be interesting.

BTW, I have driven a bunch of coaxial driver based speakers of average sensitivity with tubes..no issues so far.

If it won't work, the Kefs will be mated with 250 watts of McIntosh solid state.

 

[mep]

LS50s like solid state, 100wpc tube... it ain't going to be happening.

Peter-Have you heard the LS50s with tubes and if so, which ones? I have only heard them with SS to date and have no idea how they would sound with them. The LS50s are rated for 100w of input power, but I'm running them with the KSA-250 which seems crazy when you look at the amp and look at the speakers, but it works.

If you hook up a 100w tube amp to the LS50s, obviously sound will come out. The question is what kind of sound and I personally don't know the answer. I will be interested to hear what Andre has to say when he tries it.

 

[DSkip]

Have you had a chance to compare any rogues to my shuguang monos Andre? They were a big contender when I was shopping but decided to get the pre/mono combo for $2k instead. I don't regret it, but always wonder.

 

[mep]

Hey, what happened to hooking up the tubes to the LS50s?

 

[Andre Marc]

Have you had a chance to compare any rogues to my shuguang monos Andre? They were a big contender when I was shopping but decided to get the pre/mono combo for $2k instead. I don't regret it, but always wonder.

Dskip.

I have not had the pleasure of ever hearing any Shuguang products.