Rogue Audio M-120 Monoblock Amplifiers

Rogue Audio M-120 Monoblock Amplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

Mono Block Tube Power Amplifier - Ultra Linear or Triode Modes

USER REVIEWS

Showing 11-20 of 28  
[Mar 16, 2003]
Illoong Kwon
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Very good extension (both to the top and to the bottom). Neutral. Great soundstage and imaging. No need to bias.

Weakness:

Well, they don't look so handsome. Yes, they get hot.

This is a review for a magnum version. Since purchasing these amps, I have no desire for the upgrade. Before these, I've been changing the amps every 6 month. This says all. M120 are powerful and detailed. They drive my Audio Physic Libra (4ohm 86db) with ease, even in the triod mode! I completely agree with the recent Stereophile review. They are on the neutral side, not euphonic like CJ amps. However, they do have tube magic. There is no mistake that these are tube amps. Paired with AP Libra speakers, imaging is also excellent. In a well-recorded opera, you can follow the singers every movement. Initially, I had hums both from the amps and from the speakers. Mark O'brien and Mark Walker at Rogue audio were exteremly helpful. They changed a power transformer and also intructed me an easy grounding fix. After that, my system is extremely quiet. I have to put my ears on the speakers to hear any hum or hiss.

Similar Products Used:

Audio Research VT100II, Bel Canto Evo 200.2, Conrad Johnson Premier 11A, Musical Fidelity A3CR.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 07, 2002]
Kiefer74
AudioPhile

Strength:

Listed above great build quality excellent service

Weakness:

Run hot (summers are a bit tough) at this price or anywhere near-nothing

The past reviews tell the story. I have owned the m-120 mono's 'Magnum version' for a lil over a year now. I was originally scared sh*tless about buying tubed gear, especially amps. To my suprise and relief the word of tubes is much easier to live in than I had thought. It seems to be a common fear for people before they own their 1st tube gear from my experience. The sound is truly spectacular. They don't have a strong tubey sound like some other brands, their much closer to neutral. I also bought the infamous 99 preamp 'Magnum version' at the same time. It was such an upgrade from my previous gear that I felt pure bliss...that is still here a year later. The more they broke in the beter they sounded. Excellent in the highs mids and lows despite what some people say about tubed gear being slow in the bass. I'd recommend Rogue Audio components to just about anyone and feel I was doing a good deed. A must audition if your in the market. Even if your looking at SS you may just go tubed...that's what happened to me ;-) I use an older Marantz model cd player as a transport, Musical Fidelity A3.24 DAC, Rogue Audio m-120's and 99 going to My Maggie 1.6's. All interconnects and speakerwire is Tara Labs RSC. This makes a special recipe for some sweet soundin music of any style any volume.

Similar Products Used:

Many different brands...used to spend hours at a few hi fi shops listening and comparing on a somewhat regular basis

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 17, 2002]
Jerry O
AudioPhile

Strength:

Adds life to the music, and is an incredible bargain.

Weakness:

Significant heat, potential reliability/durability concerns with output tubes, can''t manually bias the output tubes.

I recently picked up a demo (standard version/Sovtek KT88 based). I''m amazed at the improvement it made over my beloved Kinergetics amps. It added significant soundstage depth and texture to the instruments. The music is more natural and lifelike. And, the units appear more powerful then their rating.

Similar Products Used:

VAC PA160, CJ Prem IV, Quicksilver M80, VTL MB150.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 02, 2002]
buckingham
AudioPhile

Strength:

Blue LED, faceplate, build quality and of course they sound wonderful

Weakness:

They have taken the place of my baseboard heaters. These things do get quite hot.

This is a review for the Magnum version of these wonderful Monoblocs. The model year is actually 2002. I will not echo everything the other reviewers have said, I just wanted to post to acknowledge this product''s quality. I am moving up from the Magnum 66 pre to the 99 pre to hear what the 120 Magnums can really do!

Similar Products Used:

Rogue Magnum 88, VAC 100/100, Musical Fidelity A3, Sonic Frontiers SFS 80

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 18, 2000]
Hector Gutierrez
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Incredible sound,clear,deep,well staged. Incredible price.

Weakness:

None that is worth mentioning (cabinet ?)

I have had the Rogue's M-120 for five months now and I
only have good things to tell about them. Connected in
triode mode they deliver the sweetest, warmest, purest
tube sound you could wish. They easily match in performance
that of other tube amplifiers costing three times as much.
Based on my experience while shopping I would say you need
to go to at least to a $5500 amp to beat these
babies, and even then, only in slight details.
I have them connected to a pair of Vadersteen 3A's and
I wouldnt change that combination for anything! The violins
just float in the air, the voices come deep and clear from
the stage, and the bass is tight, accurate and full (those
familiar with Vandersteen know about the 30 Hz coupler that
the 3A has, and if the recording has a deep bass and your
amp can handle it, you *will* hear it. The Rogues can).
These amplifiers are never tiring.

Rogue's service is also tops. They respond requests or
technical questions inmediately, and are tremendously
helpful to get you set up.

All in all this is an incredible product both by quality
and price. If you are a tube fan this is your chance of
getting outstanding performance, high power (up to 60W
per channel in triode mode and 120W in ultralinear)
tube sound for an incredible price.


OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 15, 2000]
Wayne Wilson
Audiophile

Strength:

The M-120 is comprised of an exceptionally rigid and solid chassis coupled to an extremely handsome faceplate. The whole unit exerts an earthy “down to business”
presence without the need for superfluous buttons and dials. I have not seen materials used in such an assembly (6061 Aluminum, full tube cage) in over 20 years. This is truly a commercial grade chassis design. Cooling is achieved by passive convection via the open tube field in the chassis’ rear. Acoustic strengths can be described with one sentence: “The M-120 reproduces its source material with sonic accuracy that is unsurpassed.”

Weakness:

None

I had purchased the M-120 monoblocks and Model 99 Pre-amplifier after only one audition. This is not to say I am an impulse buyer. An exhaustive search had been underway for six months and this was the right product at the right price. Being an Electrical Engineer in a manufacturing environment for ten years and an avid collector of vintage (esoteric) audio equipment, I am very familiar with what goes into a high end audio product with regards to quality versus cost. The point I am making is the big boys, (no name dropping today) should consider reinventing themselves with regard to profit margins. There is now no need to spend 5995.00 for two KT88 based monoblocks. The M-120’s perform as well, if not better, than the over priced amplifiers without question. On all source material, from Gerry Garcia to Frank Sinatra, the acoustics consist of a full, rich, deep, tight bass with a clean, crisp treble response. The M-120’s disprove the transistor vs. tube “soft bass” theory. The low end is delivered with a satisfying “Foreman style” punch that is very commanding. The high frequency response and timber are both clear and precise, unencumbered by any mid or bass range reproduction. Reserve power is definitely worth mentioning here. My M-120’s are currently driving a pair of Krix Euphonics that have a very mediocre sensitivity of 85 dB at 1 watt/meter. With a conservative rating of 120 watts, the Euphonics’ sensitivity was a non-issue for this amplifier. The M-120 amplifier will bring even the most power hungry loudspeaker to symphonic levels and clarity with minimal effort. The owner/operators of Rogue Audio, Mark O’Brien and Mark Walker, are true craftsmen and they obviously have put an enormous amount of time and effort into this product. It is very good to see quality like this!

Similar Products Used:

Rogue Model 99 Pre-Amplifier
Adcom GCD 750 CD Transport
Krix Euphonics Loudspeakers

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 16, 2000]
ken
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Triode mode is sweet,detailed and transparent with quick tight bass

Weakness:

runs pretty hot

I bought these monos based partly on reviews here and in TAS. They were right ! For this kind of money these things are amazing. Triode mode is the way to go with these babies if you can. My Vandersteens love these amps. They open up and become more detailed with quick tight bass. Dynamics, soundstage and detail take a giant leap forward. It sounds like the performers are in the room with you. Sweet music flows in layers. This is the best money I've spent on audio in a long time. I don't think you can do better even at list price !

Mark at rogue has been a great help also.
Top flight service matters !!!!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 06, 2000]
BigJim
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Fantastic Valu, These amps have the beautiful sound of tubes combined with a good amount of balls

Weakness:

Stock Tubes perhpas can benefit from a tube roll

Fantastic Valu and preformance these mono's are indeed!!
I have a pr of these, bought as demo's teamed with Rogues 66 preamp, and have been thrilled with my new system. The drive my Vonschweidkert VR4's incredibly well in ultralinear mode (120W). I have expermented with the 60w triode mode as well and you do indeed benefit from added air and detail, but I thought ultralinear was better suited for my tastes. I plan to preform a tube roll in the month to come and a switch to some harmonic technology Power cables so things should even get better. Also Mark Obrien at Rogue personelly answers the phone and emails, and offers great advice and customer service. if you like you can even get black face plates for them from Rogue. Just a fantastic bargain. mine were 1600$ for a demo pr and they rock! What a great company....now if i can only talk mark into doing a cdp!! : )
see www.rogue.com
associated gear: Rogue 66 Tube pre, Adcom Gdp750 CDP, Rega planar 25 TT, Von Swcheikert VR4's, harmonic technolgy cables.

Similar Products Used:

OTL Super Compact mono's

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 03, 2000]
eric
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Sweet sound

Weakness:

none

Great sounding amps at a nice price...extremely well-built, good looking, that lovely tube sound. The bass doesn't have the greatest 'punch' to it, but these amps do rock. Mids and highs send tingles down my spine. I have never heard as nice a sound in my home! Customer support is amazing...I send email questions to Rogue, and they send answers back the same day.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 17, 2001]
David Schiavone
Audiophile

Strength:

Everything , this review is for the Magnum version

Weakness:

None found,Could benefit from nos tubes.

How can i desribe these mono blocks, JAW DROPPING.I had been using Rogue M-120 for about 6 Mos and loved them.I needed a new interconnect, so off to my dealer i went.When i got there he was busy helping a customer and said he would be right with me.I started to wonder around, it was then that i noticed the MAGNUM'S.My dealer had finished with his client, now it was my turn.I asked him about the Magnums,He said he thought they were the best amps under 7k. I had to hear them and what a mistake,once i did i knew i had to have them.Took a pair home on loan, hooked them up and it was time for the audition.I was floored!!!!!!!!!!The bass was tight, fast and powerful.The midrange on up through those sweet,engaging yet detailed highs,was absolutley amazing.I spent countless hours listening to solo pianos and female vocals.These amps also do classical like there's no tomorrow, perfect instrument placement,see through transparency,the soundstage was deep-wide-high.The amps are also extremely detailed.I bought a pair after hearing them,my guess is you will do the same.See for yourself,this is the best amp i have heard for the money(actually period).There customer support is among the best in the industry.I cannot say anymore about them,just listen for yourself.

Similar Products Used:

Too many to list

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 11-20 of 28  

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