NAD: Helios 100 "latest version"

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SLOgriff

SLOgriff

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Just delivered this morning from Sweetwater. Came with a "free" Bogner Harlow boost pedal.

First off, I've had 3 previous Helios'. When I say "latest version", those are my words (not Bogner's) but spot on. I had one of the first 25 Helios' which was great but noisy. Overall tone seemed thinner and reminded me of the Red channel of the XTC. Clean channel in Plexi input sounded nice....but useless in the Hot input.

2nd version Helios (I had two) was similar to above (still noisy, but better than first run). Gain tones seemed a little thicker, but pretty close to first run. Again, Clean channel sounded great in Plex input...but useless in Hot input. DID NOT COME WITH FOOTSWITCH...

Latest version: COMES WITH A "GOLD" BOGNER, two button, FOOTSWITCH!! :thumbsup:
Amp is VERY QUIET without the old annoying HUM that the others had. Also, tone seems a tad thicker and maybe a little less gain than what I remember from the others (swapping out the JJ's may add gain back). The Clean channel sounds thicker as well in Plex input, but in Hot input NOW VERY USABLE and sounds like a Plexi when master is turned up, rather than a pushed "big muff" tone like the originals!! The Mid control seems to have been tweaked (to my ears). Every switch and option seems to work better...even the "11" switch sounds better.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with this amp and it seems Reinhold addressed the concerns of the early amps. It's a modded Plexi based amp with a good amount of gain (wish it had a tad more), but very punchy with a lot of tones inside!! ......worth a second look for you Modded Marshall fans!

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Kick ass! Been interested in this amp actually.

Most expensive "free" pedal ever!
 
SLOgriff":25x7fugz said:
Just delivered this morning from Sweetwater. Came with a "free" Bogner Harlow boost pedal.

First off, I've had 3 previous Helios'. When I say "latest version", those are my words (not Bogner's) but spot on. I had one of the first 25 Helios' which was great but noisy. Overall tone seemed thinner and reminded me of the Red channel of the XTC. Clean channel in Plexi input sounded nice....but useless in the Hot input.

2nd version Helios (I had two) was similar to above (still noisy, but better than first run). Gain tones seemed a little thicker, but pretty close to first run. Again, Clean channel sounded great in Plex input...but useless in Hot input. DID NOT COME WITH FOOTSWITCH...

Latest version: COMES WITH A "GOLD" BOGNER, two button, FOOTSWITCH!! :thumbsup:
Amp is VERY QUIET without the old annoying HUM that the others had. Also, tone seems a tad thicker and maybe a little less gain than what I remember from the others (swapping out the JJ's may add gain back). The Clean channel sounds thicker as well in Plex input, but in Hot input NOW VERY USABLE and sounds like a Plexi when master is turned up, rather than a pushed "big muff" tone like the originals!! The Mid control seems to have been tweaked (to my ears). Every switch and option seems to work better...even the "11" switch sounds better.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with this amp and it seems Reinhold addressed the concerns of the early amps. It's a modded Plexi based amp with a good amount of gain (wish it had a tad more), but very punchy with a lot of tones inside!! ......worth a second look for you Modded Marshall fans!
Click to expand...

Great stuff...I've been GAS'ing for a Helios myself. DIBZ :D :yes: :thumbsup:
 
Very cool! Thanks for the update! I've been milling over whether or not to pull the trigger on the 50w version.
 
I've been running Ecstasy 101B since the late 90's and love that thing to death, but I still want a Helios in the worst way! Even more so now. Congrats and enjoy!
 
Perfect timing with this review as I was thinking of selling my 20th Shiva to give this one a try.

Have you played a Shiva and how does the high gain sound compare?

I recently watched a live video of Rafael Moriera playing through a Helios and the lead tone was thick with some great bitey mids. It gave me some bad GAS.
 
I've never played a 20th Shiva so I can't compare. I will say this Helios is definatley "bolder/thicker" sounding than the earlier ones I had. I just spent an hour more with it and I think it does have enough gain now....nice and chewy but punchy at the same time.

I just remembered, the previous version Helios sounded a little nasally when in Hot input with 80's mode....this new Helios DOES NOT do that. Nice high gain with punch. I'm also noticing if you crank the gain past 2:30-3:00 on the dial, you start to lose some note definition. I'm being super picky though. Just sounds better with gain between 11:00 - 2:00.
 
nevusofota":c0chnxsg said:
Perfect timing with this review as I was thinking of selling my 20th Shiva to give this one a try.

Have you played a Shiva and how does the high gain sound compare?

I recently watched a live video of Rafael Moriera playing through a Helios and the lead tone was thick with some great bitey mids. It gave me some bad GAS.
Click to expand...

Owned the Shiva 20th. I would say its a lot closer to the XTC than the Helios. The Helios is way more raw and old school. Much more upper mid bite than the Shiva too. However, the Shiva 20th cleans definitely win.
 
I recently got my second Helios. I had one of the early ones myself. It was a 100 watter. I just got a new 50 watter. I love it. Seems to be have more gain on tap than my last one and the hot input clean channel is better. Not as splattery as the last one. Love this amp. It still does pick up radio stations depending on location when on the hot input, but so have most of my vintage marshalls so ?
 
Aw shit... I'm trying to pare DOWN here, people. PARE DOWN my gear :doh: :bash:

That is one spicy sexy beast mate!!!!! :thumbsup: :rock:
 
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