Looking for advise regarding Rogue M180’s

@buellrider97 message received, I replied with a separate message as Agon has the Cc policy I wont use nor care to for security reasons.  

Anyhow, reading the thread, IF you did decide to send the Rouge in, and you mentioned your others system with Zu's. Not sure if you plan to use those speakers or not.  

If yes, if you can, I'd stick with the Rogue recommendations to send, test, and dial in those amps with KT77s, [I'm a KT120 tube user btw], but like KT77s for this.  

If I could reconfigure my larger QS Mono 120s, dialed down plate voltage, and bias more, i'd likely be running KT77s instead as I'm like EL34s with a jolt, like KT77s.

If you do send/sent them in - they can bias the input, outputs, and check for noise across the board.  Getting the noise way down is key over which vintage tubes to use any more. Properly set up, tested, you could do fine with new/re-issue tubes imo. This granted you don't need extra power, no need for KT120s, go KT77s,  

@mulveling.   Hi, thanks for more info. FWIT, Bill at Rogue has the ST-100 Dark and Megapan 1.7’s. He likes the Dark upgrade and commented that it’s huge on the ST-100. The Hera has graded Upscale Sovtek’s but the owner can’t recall how many hours on them. Since they’re the second set I’ll use them for now. Those silver Mazda’s interest me, but they are expensive.  I have 4 Siemens Silver 12AU7’s I might try after the Telefunkens. My only concern is the middle tube as I have zero 12AX7’s. I want to get a pair of Tekefunkens and a pair of the lower mu replacements, not sure which and I’m reluctant to go on a spending spree. All my stuff is single ended and Bill recommend to use my current favorite cables. After I get going I’ll consider balanced. I have a loom of Morrow, and they have a generous upgrade offer. I’ll be looking at going balanced with Level 6 stuff. But they really take 400 hours and that sucks. So with the M-180’s coming back with a full set of current factory tubes, I’ll start there. Regards, Mike. 

@decooney  Hi , thanks for your input and I did receive the cc. The M-180’s currently have GL KT-77’s. I borrowed a tube tester and they are so low it advised replace on all eight. I tested the original KT-90’s and they are at about 80%, but one is dead. I tried the GL and JJ KT-77’s in my Had. I like the GL’s. My concern is how much bass they will make. I really didn’t plan on using the ZU’s but with KT’77’s could be pretty interesting. I’m hoping to be happy with the JBL’s, but they’re not a long term speaker. Im hoping to get a big wide sound that I can shake the house and annoy the neighbors. I’ll relive my youth and then look for something more refined. Those big Tannoy’s interest me but I guess I’ll have to go to Upscale to audition them. So keep it coming gentlemen and I’ll post my updates. Regards Mike B. 

To @buellrider97 I just read the specs of the 4312A, https://jblpro.com/en-US/site_elements/4312a-information

Apologize, I missed which speaker you would use above with the Rogue amp, and assumed you were using the efficient ZUs, and flew right by the 4312A part, doh!   

While I like the KT77s for lower power amp usage and the idea of efficient speakers used with them, and reading your comment about "shake the house and annoy the neighbors" to "relieve the youth phase", LOL, I'd probably flip-flop on my comments above and agree to have Rouge set and check with Tung Sol KT120s then. My own KT120s can sound smooth playing with bias a little and using the right interconnects with sources and such, fwiw.  

@decooney , No problem, I overlook the fine print often. The 4312’s are a true studio monitor which is not a forgiving speaker. The specks JBL gives are way to low for power requirements. They are happy at a minimum 200 wpc solid state. I was considering Quicksilver before I went low power and Mike Sanders stated they need 100 wpc with tubes. At the time the KT monos were 50-60 watts ? He strongly recommended the 100 watt monos. I went a different direction and was going to get the current KT’s and run KT-120’s or 150’s but the Rogues became available. I tried the JBL’s with the Modwright KWI 200 we discussed and it drove them well. However the SQ was not enjoyable as the midrange glare and the Ti tweeters were way too bright. Prior to that I ran them with an inexpensive 30 wpc Antique Sound Labs 30 wpc integrated with Winged C EL 34’s and Tungsram 12AU7’s. The SQ was great but way underpowered. Anyway that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. That Modwright KWI was an early one and lacked a DAC that appeared later. I didn’t ask , but my buddy still might have it. He just kept buying gear and storing the used due to lack of interest. It’s been idle longer than this Rogue gear. The Hera was on a storage shelf in his home gym with other gear. His gym had 4 Dali bookshelves wall mounted with a built in passive sub and room correction. He has a theater in his living room and stereo in his outdoor shower. It’s always entertaining to visit him. And no I didn’t try the shower. 😆 Cheers, Mike