This is a Rogue Atlas Magnum III amplifier that I had to replace a socket on. While there are a few things that this amp gets right - I really like the individual bias and fusing for the power tubes - I’m not a fan of the mechanical design.

The problem here is everything is on this one giant pcb, which isnt itself a huge issue, but theres no good access to the solder pads on the underside of the board.

Getting to the bottom involves cutting all the zip ties and prying the whole thing up just enough to get your iron under there. Yes, some of these wires are on spade connectors, but many are not, so it would be a lot of desoldering to get the board entirely out. Just getting the board just tipped up like this took an unreasonable amount of struggling.

By the way, see those test points? If Rogue wanted me to be able to use them, they would have labelled them with voltages!

Now you might say “so what, its a little more difficult in the event it needs repaired”. Well, tube amps are like cars. Its not a matter of if something will need repaired, but when. There is no car that will not need a new alternator at some point. For tube amplifiers, there is no socket that will last forever. I’d rather have the car that is easy to work on. I once had a motorcycle that required taking all the fairings off, including the windshield, the mirrors, and the dash, to get to the coolant fill cap. This amplifier reminds me a bit of that motorcycle.

At least this repair turned out really nice. Glad i had a solder vacuum.