Help me diagnose the problem


I've got a Rogue Tempest II Magnum. A couple weeks ago I heard a 'pop' and then noticed that the left channel wasn't quite right. Further probing led me to the KT90 in the V1 position- it was not hot to the touch. Mark at Rogue suggested I check the fuse to V1. Sure enough, fuse blew. Tip off was the tube could not be biased. Put in a new fuse, and we're good.

Today- I heard something not quite right from the left channel again. Popped the lid, saw I could not bias V1. Pulled the fuse and it was blown.

2nd V1 fuse blow in as many weeks.

Why am I blowing the V1 fuse? FWIW, the amp is nearly 4 years old. Could a tube issue be causing the V1 fuse to blow?

Thanks!
128x128zavato
I am going to move the suspect KT90 to a different tube socket. If I continue to blow the V1 fuse it's not the tube. If I blow the fuse corresponding to wherebI move the tube, It's the tube-
could be a loose solder joint on the socket - that happened to me with a tube preamp
It sounds like the tube is shorting and blowing the fuse. It may be time for new tubes.
I agree with the comments above. My amp does not have separate fuses for each tube. So, if I blow tube because it arcs, there's a good chance I took a bias resister along for the ride too. And I agree that changing out a bias resister is an easy fix.

As an aside, I've had a brand new tube arc and blow a bias resister. But more often it's old power tubes that are more likely to arc.

ARC recommends that I change out power tubes every 2000 hours. Don't know what Rogue recommends, but you mention in the OP that your amp is 4 years old. Have you changed out your power tubes yet. If not, you may be way, way overdue.

Otherwise, the advice above is reasonable, including calling Rogue if you are not able to easily resolve the problem. FWIW, tube amps are pretty robust. The only repair issue I ever had with my amp was a blown bias resister -- and that can happen anytime.