napalmdeath
Well-known member
I think it's safe to say, the "demo" unit I received had issues.. I found that the output transformer was pulling from the chassis, and bent to one side, and the smaller one had a dent in it! Effecting the tone? I'd have to say something was, this brand-spanking out-of-the-box new unit totally destroys it! MUCH, MUCH quieter, and tonally superior in every way, shape/form.
This amp is the best sounding/playing amp I've ever played through in my 35 years of playing, and 50-60 amps I've owned. It's quiet, and I also added a new ISP Decimator II, and swapped out the TC Flashback delay for a new DD-3. Something about that TC didn't get along with the Helios' loop, it "popped" from time to time when engaging, no issues with the DD-3, smooth as silk. The amp had some noise issues, for sure.
For those curious about power tubes, I put a new pair of KT77's in it, and HOLY SHIT! They REALLY unleashed the beast of an amp that it is. And for reference, my Pro One read 482 on the plate voltage, and once I dialed it in and stabilized 36mA, it settled at 476. I also put an NOS Blackburn-made Mullard, (circa 1958 that I paid $25 for!), in V1, and a Tungsol in V2, and it further bettered the tone. Stock JJ EL34's, and JJ ECC83S's, which I find sterile in any amp, fully loading the preamp with them.
I've tried many OD's with the other unit, and this one, and believe it or not, the MXR Wylde OD beat out my Randall MOR, MOJO-MOJO, OCD, and GT-OD, Spark Booster by a long shot, IMO. In hot/80's mode, and level dimed/gain zero on the ZW OD, it's truly an aggressive thing of beauty. Don't let the Plexi, 70's/80's themes pigeon-hole this amp to classic/hard-rock, it kicks the shit out of the Splawn Competition and Quick Rods I've owned, (just as a reference for hot-rodded Plexi/JCM-type amps), in terms of aggression, razor-sharp tight chug, and clarity. Harmonics fly out of this amp, bottom is firm, tight, and clear as a bell, (boosted, that is). I have a Maxon OD808 coming, we'll see if that's a win as well. But it WILL do heavy - the sky is really the limit with this thing, it just isn't a super high gain amp - it's more quality/vs. quantity in the gain department, a boost will push it to that next level without much effort.
My only reservations about this amp, (and this is just me and my needs), I wish it were stripped down a bit. I don't need all the switches/bells/whistles. If I could just have a clean and hot 80's mode, I'd be content. It's kind of overkill for my wants/needs, but, the tone is far superior to many of those that are stripped down. A set up like the Quick Rod, with a clean and dirty, and the ability to switch between 70's and 80's, (or Gears if you will), that would be ideal. If the Splawn's tone was as urgent, razor-sharp and clear as the Helios, I'd opt for the Splawn. But, from a tonal standpoint, the Helios eats it's lunch!
This amp is the best sounding/playing amp I've ever played through in my 35 years of playing, and 50-60 amps I've owned. It's quiet, and I also added a new ISP Decimator II, and swapped out the TC Flashback delay for a new DD-3. Something about that TC didn't get along with the Helios' loop, it "popped" from time to time when engaging, no issues with the DD-3, smooth as silk. The amp had some noise issues, for sure.
For those curious about power tubes, I put a new pair of KT77's in it, and HOLY SHIT! They REALLY unleashed the beast of an amp that it is. And for reference, my Pro One read 482 on the plate voltage, and once I dialed it in and stabilized 36mA, it settled at 476. I also put an NOS Blackburn-made Mullard, (circa 1958 that I paid $25 for!), in V1, and a Tungsol in V2, and it further bettered the tone. Stock JJ EL34's, and JJ ECC83S's, which I find sterile in any amp, fully loading the preamp with them.
I've tried many OD's with the other unit, and this one, and believe it or not, the MXR Wylde OD beat out my Randall MOR, MOJO-MOJO, OCD, and GT-OD, Spark Booster by a long shot, IMO. In hot/80's mode, and level dimed/gain zero on the ZW OD, it's truly an aggressive thing of beauty. Don't let the Plexi, 70's/80's themes pigeon-hole this amp to classic/hard-rock, it kicks the shit out of the Splawn Competition and Quick Rods I've owned, (just as a reference for hot-rodded Plexi/JCM-type amps), in terms of aggression, razor-sharp tight chug, and clarity. Harmonics fly out of this amp, bottom is firm, tight, and clear as a bell, (boosted, that is). I have a Maxon OD808 coming, we'll see if that's a win as well. But it WILL do heavy - the sky is really the limit with this thing, it just isn't a super high gain amp - it's more quality/vs. quantity in the gain department, a boost will push it to that next level without much effort.
My only reservations about this amp, (and this is just me and my needs), I wish it were stripped down a bit. I don't need all the switches/bells/whistles. If I could just have a clean and hot 80's mode, I'd be content. It's kind of overkill for my wants/needs, but, the tone is far superior to many of those that are stripped down. A set up like the Quick Rod, with a clean and dirty, and the ability to switch between 70's and 80's, (or Gears if you will), that would be ideal. If the Splawn's tone was as urgent, razor-sharp and clear as the Helios, I'd opt for the Splawn. But, from a tonal standpoint, the Helios eats it's lunch!
Glad it worked out for you.
