Tube life for Rouge RP-1 preamp

the RP-1 is on my list. Maybe a used one. I read manual and no mention of changing the tubes. Just curious what kind of tube life one should expect.


- Tube complement: 2 x 12AU7/ECC82 tubes
- Frequency response: 1Hz – 75KHz +/- 1 dB
- THD: <0.1%
- Gain line stage: 7 dB
- Rated output: 1V
- Output impedance: 750 Ohms
- Gain phono stage: 43dB, 58dB
- RIAA accuracy: +/- 0.1 dB
- Phono overload: 40mV
- Headphone amp: 1W (32 ohms)
- Power consumption off <1W
- Power consumption on: 23W
- Dimensions: 15.25 ”W X 14.5 ”D X 3.2” H
- Weight 16 pounds
- Shipping weight 20 pounds
- Power requirements 115V – 50/60Hz
- Power requirements 220/230/240V – 50/60Hz

 

A preamp differs greatly from a power amp when it comes to tube life. I might change my power amp's tubes after 3 years of moderate use while my preamp's would likely last at least 7 or so.

 

Preamp tubes generally go a long time as most preamp circuits aren't really working those tubes that hard. There are exceptions - I own one - but normally those small signal tubes can last for a pretty long time in average use. Always a good idea to have spares on hand once you decide what tubes you like.

D.D.

 

You can always call Rogue and ask! Very nice people to jab with.

 

If i find a used one, i may just replace the tubes right away.

 

Reading about other tube preamps, the tubes should last years, even with lots of playing time

 

Should be thousands of hours. That being said, I'd dump the stock JJ's and roll in some NOS Mullards or even new production Gold Lions.

 

Should last long enough to not worry about!

Pre-amps are seldom under full load, although modern pre-amp tubes don't really get the tube life that old ones did...

 

good info thanks

 

I wish there was a local Rogue dealer so i could listen to one

 

They sound very transparent and dynamic, also a very low noise floor. The phono stage is excellent, very clean and flexible. It's not your grandfather's tube preamp. ;-)

Tubes should last a very long time in this. The new, Russian tubes are pretty sturdy and the JJ tubes that the RP-1 normally ships with usually are as well. They actually sound very good in their units as they are voiced with them and also vintage tubes to find a good balance. After a few hundred hours of burn-in, they sound great IME. No need to worry about that. If you want to try others, of course you can, but there is no real need to do so.
-Bill

 

FAQ

My 15 year old Rogue Audio 66 Magnum, purchased as a demo unit, still has the original tubes: 2 Electro-Harmonix 12au7s, and 4 Amperex Jan 7308s in the phono section. They had about 8000+ hours of runtime before I retired it to backup status.

Hope this helps,

Robert Martellaro