Rogue Audio RH-5 Impression Thread

[4LoveOfSound]

yes it is a bit of work to roll tubes in the rogue. Plus the screws are tiny so you have to take care with them.

I put them in a small zip seal bag, but now I can’t find the little bag

 

[4LoveOfSound]

So, it's been a week since I hooked up the Audio Envy Ocean Elite 3p power cable to my RH-5 and I can say with confidence that this cable doubles down on all the sonic gains of the SR Purple fuse. The background got blacker, the stage has become even more holographic, detail, texture and impact increased and as a result the sound is more lifelike with my VC's. The RH-5 really lets you hear the slightest change to your system and it's ability to scale with better gear including cables and fuses is for real.

Last night while listening with my VC's, the holographic stage and speed was so intense I got a bit dizzy at times, and the impact/bass hit so hard I thought I was going to blow the drivers at one point and had to turn down the volume. You can feel the control/grip this amp has on the drivers, and the bass does not bleed into the mids and only slams when called for. Of note, the tubes I am using are Funkwerk Erfurt ECC82 (Earliest Version Single Getter Post Foil Getters from 58'), of which play a big part as well. This amp truly is a beast and one I am very happy to call my Endgame Hybrid.

Back to musical bliss. . .

Been keeping an eye out for a pair of those Funkwerk. No luck so far

 

[4LoveOfSound]

Ok, now that there is more time on the RH-5 with the RFT foil getter tubes and the SR Purple fuse, I actually prefer the RH-5 to my Pendant SE. The sound stage is wider, cleaner, more linear and just fantastic! This is with my Auteur's with a single ended cable which I had previously preferred with the Pendant SE. It now sounds kind of congested in the mid range compared to the RH-5. Still have been too lazy to try the Auteur on the RH-5 with a balanced cable. I've only had about 15-20 minutes a night so I'd rather just listen than fiddle with cables.

 

[4LoveOfSound]

@Wes S do you have spare Funkwerk that you can take a picture of? I want to make sure I'm looking for the right tube. My ECC83 Funkwerk actually says Funkwerk on the tube. All the ECC82's I see listed as Funkwerk don't have that printed on the glass.

 

[jonathan c]

I put them in a small zip seal bag, but now I can’t find the little bag

….you left the bag in the house & now you can’t find the house…

 

[Wes S]

@Wes S do you have spare Funkwerk that you can take a picture of? I want to make sure I'm looking for the right tube. My ECC83 Funkwerk actually says Funkwerk on the tube. All the ECC82's I see listed as Funkwerk don't have that printed on the glass.

Here is some pics of one of my ECC83 Funkwerk with single getter arm from 58', of which looks identical to the ECC82 version. My Funkwerk ECC82 are in my RH-5 and aren't coming out anytime soon. This version definitely has stronger bass and is more full and organic/natural in the lower mids and smoother in the highs compared to the latter cooler sounding dual post foil getter. Of note - I have seen the dual post latter Foil Getter version labled Funkwerk Erfurt as well, so the key identifiers are the single getter post and date code of 58' or earlier which is pictured below.

Another pic for reference.

 

[Wes S]

@4LoveOfSound Here are some Funkwerk Erfurt ECC82 Single Getter Post Foil Getters for sale, but I can't figure out the site. I think they might be priced crazy high, but not sure on the translation. . .
https://www.ruten.com.tw/item/show?21905765973431

 

[Wes S]

Ok, now that there is more time on the RH-5 with the RFT foil getter tubes and the SR Purple fuse, I actually prefer the RH-5 to my Pendant SE. The sound stage is wider, cleaner, more linear and just fantastic! This is with my Auteur's with a single ended cable which I had previously preferred with the Pendant SE. It now sounds kind of congested in the mid range compared to the RH-5. Still have been too lazy to try the Auteur on the RH-5 with a balanced cable. I've only had about 15-20 minutes a night so I'd rather just listen than fiddle with cables.

Heck yeah! Balanced out (on high gain too) is where this amp really sings, and I agree the RH-5 is in another league compared to the Pendant SE (especially with the earlier Funkwerk ECC82, balanced cables, and the SR Purple fuse).

 

[buson160man]

LOL! Yes, it can be challenging. I usually do mine on the kitchen counter and spread a towel underneath first, keeps those little buggers from hitting and bouncing off the countertop into another dimension.

Thats a great idea using a towel underneath is a good way to make sure that you do not lose one of those tiny screws.

 

[4LoveOfSound]

A Hi-Fi+ review of the Synergistic Research Purple fuse……. I won’t spoil it……
https://hifiplus.com/articles/synergistic-research-purple-uef-fuses/

 

[Wes S]

A Hi-Fi+ review of the Synergistic Research Purple fuse……. I won’t spoil it……
https://hifiplus.com/articles/synergistic-research-purple-uef-fuses/

Yep, nothing but glowing reviews for that little stunner!

I sure do wish they made a size that fit in my Pendant SE and Sonnet Morpheus. . .

 

[4LoveOfSound]

I’d like to try one in my Yggy

 

[Wes S]

Well folks, the Funkwerk Erfurt ECC82 Single Getter Post Foil Getters have finally been pulled and I have found 2 different tubes that are of equal caliber.

1. Sylvania 5814a (JHS) Triple Mica Short Grey Plate Square Getter - This tube is very well balanced top to bottom, with big impactful bass, outstanding texture and detail in the mids, and smooth highs. This tube does wonders for vocals and you will hear all the emotion coming from the singer. The staging is very unique and at times sounds intimate and other times it sounds like I am in a huge concert hall. I would say overall it's more on the intimate side, with outstanding layering and imaging. The detail is as good as I have heard and little nuances are heard quite well, and everything just flows and sounds so natural. While listening with this tube, I simply get lost in the music and always move to the groove. Another interesting and very cool thing about this tube is how it seems to make many tracks sound as if they are being performed live (even on Electronica tracks) and this really adds to the sense of realism and being "there".

Opinions I agree with -
https://tubemaze.info/sylvania-jhs-5814-gray-plates/

2. CBS-HYTRON 5814 (White label) Black Plate Bent/Angled Square Getter - This tube spices things up a bit compared to the Sylvania's neutrality/smoothness, with bigger and harder hitting bass, more forward/better clarity in the mids and smoother highs. The bass on this tube is incredible, with really good texture and detail and it slams. The mids and especially vocals have a bit more bite and clarity to them, and the highs are smoother. Also, the staging is huge and the 3d-ness is in full affect. Immersive, detailed and dynamic are the first words that come to mind when I hear this tube. However, this tube is not bright and actually due to the huge bass it sounds a bit dark overall yet still highly detailed. This tube really reminds me of the famous bass monster tube the Ken-Rad 6SN7GT VT231 Black Glass, with it's contrasting darkish yet highly detailed and dynamic sound and holographic staging to die for.

Opinions I also agree with -
https://tubemaze.info/cbs-hytron-5814a-black-plates/

Both tubes get a big recommendation from me.

Sylvania 5814a and CBS-HYTRON 5814

 

[Wes S]

Started today off with the CBS-Hytron 5814 Black Plates, and man they sound fantastic in the RH-5 with my VC's! Everything just sounds so natural, and right. I am hearing little nuances more clearly, and the immersive factor is in full effect. The bass pounds when called for, and the dynamics I am getting with this tube are awesome. This tube is unique in that it combines transparency/detail, power, and finesse all at once, and I can't stop listening.

 

[4LoveOfSound]

No tube updates, but did add a Kimber Kable copper silver plated USB cable. Made a nice improvement over the circa 1999 Belkin USB printer cable I was using. More defined bass and instrument separation.