Bogner Helios 100w tubes...

[FLYINRYAN11]

I just got a used Bogner Helios 100w head. I always like to replace all the tubes when buying something used and wondered if anybody has tried anything other than the JJ's it comes with and the results?

 

[Chester Nimitz]

I know you're going to get at least 30 different replies but ive used these for 6 years with great results.

Powerful, great sounding, rock solid stable bias.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tung-Sol-Factor ... xyyFhTd85w

 

[LP Freak]

I just got a used Bogner Helios 100w head. I always like to replace all the tubes when buying something used and wondered if anybody has tried anything other than the JJ's it comes with and the results?

Instead of ripping out potentially good tubes every time you buy a new amp it's cheaper to buy a tube tester

 

[napalmdeath]

I put JJ KT77's in the 50-watter I had.. Really aggressive, punchy. Loved it!

 

[peckhart]

I put JJ KT77's in the 50-watter I had.. Really aggressive, punchy. Loved it!

Interesting. I have a quad of JJ E34Ls I need to try. I like aggressive

 

[CrazyNutz]

I put JJ KT77's in the 50-watter I had.. Really aggressive, punchy. Loved it!

Interesting. I have a quad of JJ E34Ls I need to try. I like aggressive

The E34L's will rip your face off.

 

[napalmdeath]

I put JJ KT77's in the 50-watter I had.. Really aggressive, punchy. Loved it!

Interesting. I have a quad of JJ E34Ls I need to try. I like aggressive

Tried those as well. KT77's were more aggressive in the mids, and harmonics. I find them both tighter in the lows than most EL34's. 6CA7's are an option as well. Definitely a more 6L6 feel when I had them in my JVM. They sound "big", but I still like the KT77's.

The stock JJ's are kinda bland. A step up in tubes and proper bias wakes that amp up, mine was actually kinda cold, from the factory.

Also, a Tungsol in V1 gives it nice growl, (tried some NOS tubes as well), I'm not a fan of all JJ in the preamp of any amp. Tends to get a little woofy and somewhat sterile.

 

[psychodave]

I just got a used Bogner Helios 100w head. I always like to replace all the tubes when buying something used and wondered if anybody has tried anything other than the JJ's it comes with and the results?

Instead of ripping out potentially good tubes every time you buy a new amp it's cheaper to buy a tube tester

That's what I did.

No more guessing how strong are the tubes I'm using.

 

[LunatiBSW]

I just got a used Bogner Helios 100w head. I always like to replace all the tubes when buying something used and wondered if anybody has tried anything other than the JJ's it comes with and the results?

Instead of ripping out potentially good tubes every time you buy a new amp it's cheaper to buy a tube tester

That's what I did.

No more guessing how strong are the tubes I'm using.

+1 the orange vt-1000 is easy, fast and worth the coin

 

[Racerxrated]

I don't change the tubes because of possible weak/worn out, I put different tubes in for better tone. Sometimes the stock tubes are better than what I have, but I know in a Marshall my NOS stash work best.

 

[FLYINRYAN11]

Im going to check the bias on mine first and go from there. A lot of people seem to say they come from Bogner biased fairly cold. Wonder why that is?

 

[CrazyNutz]

Im going to check the bias on mine first and go from there. A lot of people seem to say they come from Bogner biased fairly cold. Wonder why that is?

Many/most manufactures bias on the cold side. Couple of reasons:
1. Longevity
2. Potentially less warranty work
3. Tubes tend to conduct more as they break-in, and as they warm up, so factory setting them low they will eventually rise anyhow.

For example Soldano bias his amps at 50% or less.

The whole 60 - 70% bias suggestion is not a hard rule. What sounds fine/good vs your expectations of tube life should be where you set the bias.

EDIT: FWIW I find some amps sound big and bold with hotter bias, while others just get obnoxious and Ice Picky. YMMV

 

[napalmdeath]

FWIW I find some amps sound big and bold with hotter bias, while others just get obnoxious and Ice Picky. YMMV

I agree, and I usually don't follow the full 70% rule anyway. But, if an amp is at 28mA and 70% is 38mA, I'd call it cold. That said, I'm good with 34-35. Out of the gazillion amps I've owned, retubed & biased, I've never really had one sound exceptional biased "hot", to be honest. I usually take the tube type /plate voltage, figure 70%, and go 3-5mA lower. With the majority of amps relying on preamp distortion, I just don't see the need to goose it too hot.

If memory serves me, 36mA was perfect on the 50 watt Helios I had. Man, that was a killer amp, just overkill for me.

 

[peckhart]

So I threw the E34Ls in tonight and biased it to about 32mA and it sounds awesome!
Deeper low end with more thump. A little more grind going on too. Can't wait to gig it tomorrow.