Rogue Audio Stereo Amplifier M 120 User Guide

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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