NAD: Helios 100

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Green Pro Am

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I received my Helios a week ago. It actually arrived on my birthday.

After having it for a week, I have to say it sounds great! I am running it through a Diezel rear loaded 2x12 with V30s. Very pleased with the sounds I am getting. This amp can cover a lot of ground, and I can see this amp becoming my #1.

Only gripes are:

No foot switch for a $3k amp???
When I run my hand across the tolex under the knobs, there are a few bumps. It seems like there might be sawdust chunks under the tolex. Not quite the same attention to detail as my boogies or diezel.
 
....but ,oh what tone.
Great birthday gift,congrats.
 
Happy Belated-Birthday!

What an awesome b-day gift.

I enjoy the Helios more and more as time goes by, but I kind of knew it was going to fit me musically going in. As you pointed out, there are some minor inconveniences but the payoff is worth it IMO. Enjoy your new amp in good health!
 
if that cabinet is messed up its covered under warranty- you might be able to send them pictures and they could just swap the cabinet for you? They did this for me on a face plate that had lettering coming off - on a brand new amp.
 
Contact Bogner about the cab. Keep in mind they don't personally make the cabs and there customer service is awesome - so why not get a new one. I agree on the footswitch, however I don't find I would ever use it either really. I am spoiled as I have the 50 and the 100, I don't know if I need both - but they both sound so awesome. Plus, it makes sense in a guitar player's head :rock:
 
Hi Green Pro Am... Congrats on the Helios!

These bumps are highly unusual! First time we've heard of that. Anyway you could post or send us some photos?

A little history on the footswitch... Initially to keep the cost as low as possible, the decision was not to include it on the Helios, especially when we had the introductory pricing. It takes a basic 2 button style footswitch. It was easier for those who really wanted one, could probably save a little money buying an aftermarket one. We've found that a lot of players kind of find their Helios sound and more or less "set and forget it" at that point, and just reach back and flip the channel switch on those occasions.

Many of the other Bogner amps do have a bit more complex switching and their footswitch is fairly custom to those amps, which is why those include one.

Thx, Andy
 
I love mine too. I had one of the first ones and stupidly sold it. Just re-purchased one of the current production models and I'm in love. Just the perfect amp for me. I run into the hot input and I have to say I totally dig the clean channel this way. Has an almost wooly type tone that cleans up...oh and no worries on the footswitch, I just bought the aftermarket one and it was only $25!

I've been running it through the Helios 2x12 I got from Sweetwater, which is a perfect match.
 
for those who tried both heads 50 watt and 100 watt what is the big difference between the 2?
 
ReloadZ,
The 100 watt has more head room tighter bass with thump that hit you in the chest, and the 50 watt is sweeter and smoother with less power. Get the 100 watt cuz you have the option of the 30 watt mod in the helios.
 
Congrats! I had the pleasure of playing through one at a friend's house. I wish I had more time with it, but for the little bit that I did get to experience it, the sound was killer!
 
Green Pro Am":3lsflnq6 said:
Only gripes are:

No foot switch for a $3k amp???
When I run my hand across the tolex under the knobs, there are a few bumps. It seems like there might be sawdust chunks under the tolex. Not quite the same attention to detail as my boogies or diezel.

cant be more agree to that, Green Pro Am!
no footswitch --> like buying a car without a brake, only a throttle pedal!! :doh:
 
Bogner Amps":2tgrkude said:
A little history on the footswitch... Initially to keep the cost as low as possible, the decision was not to include it on the Helios, especially when we had the introductory pricing. It takes a basic 2 button style footswitch. It was easier for those who really wanted one, could probably save a little money buying an aftermarket one. We've found that a lot of players kind of find their Helios sound and more or less "set and forget it" at that point, and just reach back and flip the channel switch on those occasions.

Many of the other Bogner amps do have a bit more complex switching and their footswitch is fairly custom to those amps, which is why those include one.

Thx, Andy

hi andy, i just signed in to this forum to further my issues on the helios, after what i've been through with it (see my other comments somewhere in here) and

bingo!

i found you, the face of the company!

andy, i beg to differ.

i bet people who buys their amp also (automatically) want its supporting accessories included, so that they can harness its fullest potentials, without the extra time and trouble (hassles, if you will) looking & spending more cash for a humble footswitch, especially after shelling out $3k+ investment in your (latest?) spiced-up, super-hotrodded offering (seriously, what else is new in there?); that's why i underlined the sentences after "initially" - the answer of the million dollar question :doh: .

add the lack of tech support is frustrating.

pardon the sarcasms, i know that i'm not alone in the dark here. but for that hefty tag, i think the company can (and should) do better than this.

hassles aside, it's beautiful - both tonally and aesthetically inside-out. but i think that's all there is to it.
 
that amp should come with a footswitch.

I find the canned response from bogner to be pretty lame. everyone paying that much for an amp wants a freaking footswitch and every other manufacturer seems to be able to build one and factor it into their pricing just fine.

congrats to the OP though, sweet amp, HNAD!!!!!!!
 
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