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The beauty of Bogen

Tube Sound

Tube Sound

Super Member
A few days ago I answered an ad for a trade. The owner had a beautiful Bogen RP-230 and was wanting a large SS amp or receiver. I, rather painfully, offered my mint Yamaha CR-2020. Not an easy decision but the deal was made. I just couldn't help myself, the Bogen was so gorgeous. It sounds beautiful. Has GE made Bogen stamped 7408's. This is my first and only experience with Bogen and I am truly impressed.

Any other Bogen owners care to comment on what you have and post pics, if you like.

TS
 

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Thanks for the comments, guys. I know what you mean, John, about the PA amps. Had no clue they made this. The build quality seems to be right up there.
 
Omegaman said:
One of those output tubes looks "iffy"
Click to expand...

Had to go back and look at the picture again. Yep, 3rd tube from the left looks to be missing a little something on the top. I have a few tubes like that. They worked fine but made me nervous till I did a little research then posted pics and asked questions here.
 
The getter is mostly gone on #3, but as long as it still measures OK, don't worry too much about it. Maybe gassy from the factory.

-D
 
I have had quite a few Bogen amps and receivers and all have been surprisingly good quality and performance.

Here is an AP-200 integrated (7355 tubes):

Bogen_AP-200-InsideAngle_00.jpg


SRB-20 receiver (6BM8 tubes):
Bogen_SRB-20.jpg


RP-200 Receiver (EL84/6BQ5 tubes):
Bogen_RP-200_Front.jpg


Plus many other K and M series PA amps.

Dual MO-100A amps (each 100W, 8417 tubes):
Bogen_Dual_MO-100A_Dual-5a.jpg
 
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Hey Bogen was very respectable!
I used to have one of the less powerful receivers once. The RP235 (Lear Siegler , Inc./Bogen communications division) that operated with 7408 output tubes..
Not even restored and it was decent!
Nice score!

I still have the owner manual and schematics.
 
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I have a DS-225 myself. Its a power amp that runs 7355 tubes and a wierdo power supply design. Sounds excellent, and its built quite well. I modified it to have adjustable bias but thats pretty much it. I also own a pair of MO-100a amps that need to be rebuilt. I have an FM-50 tuner too, which works quite well.


Bogen definitely made a lot of PA gear, but they did get into the hifi market for a while. I don't know that they were ever one of the big players, but they definitely had solid engineering on their side.

Unrelated, but most of the Lenco produced turntables here in the US wear a Bogen badge.
 
Very nice receiver :yes: That looks to be in wonderful condition.

I had always thought Bogen was known only for PA amplifiers until I found a set of incredible HO10 push pull dual triode amplifiers. Phenomenal sound, and a lot of amplifier for just 10 watts each. Some of the largest iron I've seen. Has unusual circuitry with nested feedback, a choke-input power supply and grid drive. A separate preamp and input box is included with each amplifier although you can use your own if wanted.
They made some great amplifiers and receivers back before just making PA amps.
 

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I had this Bogen preamp, It sounded great. The selectors had neon indicator lights behind the faceplate.
P1010029_zps43sqgrv6.jpg

P1010042s_zpse9islnzp.jpg
 
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Lots of beautiful gear here. Does anyone with better ears than me want to comment on the Bogen sound? How does it compare with Scott and Fisher of the day? And the build quality? I realize it's an individual taste thing but just wondering.
 
The Pr2 was very quiet in the Phono stage,overall (not rebuilt)it was as good as the Scott and Fisher components I have(Scott LC-21, Fisher 400C)
 
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