Dazzza,
The mod is simply snipping the piggyback resistors on the bias. The resistors are there in stock form so that the bias can get into the right range for the KT88s. When the resistors are snipped (which puts the circuit back to regular Shiva form), you can get the 28-29ma range necessary for the EL34s.
Why so cold? Because of the way the resonance (power amp bass circuit) is run, the bias drifts upward as the amp is pushed. So beware...if you want a bedroom amp then stick with the KT88s. Those sound absolutely the same throughout the dynamic range of the amp. The EL34s only get out of crossover when pushed. Hence one of the main reasons Bogner went to the KTs in this design.