TEMPEST II Vacuum Tube Integrated Amplifier Owner’s Manual Rogue Audio, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1) Introduction 2 2) Unpacking the Tempest II amplifier 2 3) Installing the Tempest II into your system 3 4) Operation of the Tempest II 5 5) Setting the tube bias 7 6) Troubleshooting 8 7) Fuse values 9 8) Specifications 9 9) Warranty 10 1
INTRODUCTION Congratulations on your purchase decision! We at Rogue Audio truly believe that our amplifiers provide the “smartest” value in high-end audio. If you have never owned a vacuum tube amplifier you will be thrilled by the silky-smooth sound and incredible detail that only a tube amplifier can provide. And with the Tempest II amplifier, you can be sure that you are getting the very best in tube amplification.
Left Binding Post Right Binding Post Bias Meter V1 V2 V3 V4 Potentiometers Rotary Bias Switch 6SN7 12AX7 6SN7 12AX7 External/Internal Preamp Shunts Figure 1 Tube and Deck Layout INSTALLING THE TEMPEST II INTO YOUR SYSTEM Amplifier Location: The Tempest II depends on natural convection flow patterns for proper cooling. To ensure proper cooling, the unit should be located in a position so that the airflow is not impeded.
your speaker or your local dealer to determine the correct choice. The amplifier is factory set to 8 ohm. To switch impedance setting: 1) Using a ½” wrench remove the outermost nut from the positive (red) binding post. 2) Remove the 8 ohm tap (green wire marked 8) from the binding post. Be careful to leave the black wire with heat shrink on the post. 3) Remove the polyurethane tubing from the unused 4 ohm wire (yellow) and lug. 4) Place the 4 ohm wire onto the binding post and replace the outer nut.
Connecting the Tempest II to a subwoofer: The Tempest II has a pair of variable outputs on the back that are labeled “variable out.” You can use these as preamp outs for driving a subwoofer. You may also use the binding posts if your subwoofer is designed to connect directly to these. OPERATING YOUR TEMPEST II 1) Delays- Note that the Tempest is equipped with a slow turn-on feature that protects other equipment from dangerous transients at turn-on as well as significantly prolonging tube life.
Note – Important! After turning off the amplifier, wait at least one minute to turn it back on. Do not turn it on then off and then on again in quick succession. Doing this will not allow the power supply to discharge between on/off cycling and may result in transient noises. USING AN EXTERNAL PREAMPLIFIER The Tempest offers the flexibility of adding an external preamplifier should the user wish to do so.
power level in triode is high enough that it will likely provide plenty of power for almost any speaker load. 3) Ultralinear operation – With this configuration, power levels near those of tetrode mode are achieved with low distortion levels that approach those of triode operation. For loudspeakers that demand very high levels of power, ultralinear should provide excellent sound and plenty of power. The triode/ultralinear switch allows the user to operate the Tempest II in either of the two modes.
Note – There is a small leakage current of 5mA that flows through the meter’s shunt resistor during the tube bias setting operation. To accurately account for this, set the bias current at 5 mA lower than the desired setting. 6) Using the bias tool, slowly turn the screw on the potentiometer that is adjacent to the switch until the bias meter reads ~ 35 miliamps (actually 40mA.) Turn the screw clockwise to lower the bias and counterclockwise to raise the bias. Note that there are two ends on the bias tool.
FUSE VALUES Main fuse located on rear panel (1) – 5 Amp slow blow Tube Fuses (4) – 1/4 Amp slow blow SPECIFICATIONS output power 90 WPC frequency response 5Hz – 50 kHz ± 1dB THD < 0.1% typ, < 1% at rated power input sensitivity 1.
OWNER AND WARRANTY REGISTRATION FORM Included with this manual is an Owner and Warranty Registration Form. Please take a minute to fill out this card and return it to Rogue Audio. This card must be returned within 15 days of purchase to validate the warranty. LIMITED WARRANTY Warranty Period This product has been manufactured under the highest standards of quality and workmanship. Rogue Audio Inc.
