NAD/NCD!- Bogner 20th XTC head & cab

[fusedbrain]

This just landed

Amp is the 6L6 version. Cab is loaded with 4 x V30's.
Pretty impressed so far. I used to own a 101B, and the 20th is certainly different, but mostly for the better.
As has been discussed here many times, the clean is fantastic. BIG improvement.
Plexi mode is MUCH better than the 101B, and boost 2 works in plexi mode now as well
The Blue is quite different from the 101B. Kinda surprised that it has LESS gain than the 101B, but way more open sounding.
Red sounds more similar to the 101B than Blue, but also more open and much less compressed.
Overall really pleased with the amp so far...
One question for you Bogner guys: what do you recommend for 6L6's in these amps. Plate voltage is 540V
The tubes in it now are JJ 6L6's and Chinese B's from end to end in the pre-amp. The only change I've made so far is an LPS in the PI.
The JJ's sound fine and all bias within 2 ma, but I want to pick up a spare quad and could use some suggestions.
I have a drawer full of Chinese B's and will be sticking with them for the pre, with the exception of the LPS in the PI.

 

[mooncobra]

great amp, I had one and they kick ass.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Congrats! Had the a 20th Anny Shiva and liked it, but never tried an XTC.

 

[311boogieman]

HNXTCD

Cheers

nice collection you got there

 

[stratjacket]

congrats, looks like a killer setup.

 

[GOHOINC]

Very nice, well done.

 

[fusedbrain]

Thanks for the congrats guys!!
Anybody got any idea about 6L6's for this thing.
I guess I'll call the TubeStore and see what they suggest, but I was hoping somebody might have some experience re-tubing a 20th 6L6, or at least some suggestions to handle the sky high plate voltage.
Thanks

 

[311boogieman]

I've not owned that amp but I've had good luck with JJ 6L6s.

YMMV

 

[firejack]

Congrats mate. Holy Toledo man that's one serious amp collection you got there.

 

[godgrinder]

Plate voltage is 540V

Sovtek 5881 if you need something durable under that kind of plate voltage.

 

[peckhart]

I have always wanted to try the 6L6 20th. I read everything I could on these amps and specifically the difference between the EL34 and 6L6 version when I was wanting to buy one. Finally decided I would go with what they originally designed the amp around even though I am an EL34 guy.
So I pull the trigger on one for sale here. Specifically asked if it was 6L6 or EL34...told it was 6L6...it shows up with EL34s. I decided to keep it after speaking with the seller and having the option to return. Cool amp, but wanted more gain and aggression out of Blue that just wasn't there. I don't know that the 6L6 version would have gotten me what I wanted, but I am still to this day very curious.
If I could keep more expensive amps around I would have one. Not the sound I need for my current band, but a super versatile great sounding amp nonetheless.

 

[fusedbrain]

Finally got around to contacting the Tubestore about 6L6's for this thing. Their recommendation, given the plate voltage involved, was Winged C ( which they still have a stash of) or JJ's.
They specifically recommended I NOT use TAD 6L6GC-STR's or Sovtek 5881's, which was kinda surprising.
Seeing as how the =C= were gonna be $130 Canadian ....EACH!......I went with a quad of JJ's. Should be here tomorrow.
Also, after a little bit of a struggle to get used to the differences between this amp and my old 101b, I'm really starting to dig it a lot.
Biggest mistake I made was trying to eq it like the 101b and expecting a similar result. Once I just closed my eyes and started twisting the knobs, it all came together.
Killer, killer amp indeed!

 

[PBGas]

Amazing amp for you collection!

Many congrats!