Hiwatt DR201 needs a partner

[soundfan75]

Has anyone paired a Hiwatt DR201 with modern cabinet? I am interested in a 1x12 or maybe 2x12, like Bergantino, Aguilar or Mesa. Would it match up well with one of these or something more vintage?

[Baird6869]

I am using a DR103 (70's Custom 100w) thru Berg AE210s and it kills. MySadowsky SA410 (Berg Hs410 basically) sounds killer also.

I really like the AE cabs best with my Hiwatt and my two AE210s just smoke with this head.

I briefly owned TC, Mesa and Ampeg cabs... Not even close IMO.

[Mr. Foxen]

Hiwatts sounds pretty nice through fairly transparent modern cabs, because they were made to be transparent themselves so work well together. Main limiting factor is volume requirement, sometimes sensitivity is the tradeoff for being transparent and small.

[soundfan75]

Originally Posted by Mr. Foxen

Hiwatts sounds pretty nice through fairly transparent modern cabs, because they were made to be transparent themselves so work well together. Main limiting factor is volume requirement, sometimes sensitivity is the tradeoff for being transparent and small.

So take the Berg HD 112 and 212 for example, the sensitivities are 97 and 103 respectively. The main difference in using these with the hiwatt will be the volume output right?

[Mr. Foxen]

Those sensitivity specs sound pretty optimistic. 6db from double speakers says its voltage sensitivity rather than 'wattage', because you get 3db from double speakers, and 3db for half impedance, and obviously with valve amps, you don't get the impedance benefit. So there will be 3db difference between them, but how loud they actually go is still kind of an unknown, I would not expect a 1x12 to be enough, that said, with a Barefaced Compact 1x15, I've been able to jam with drums with a 100w head.

[soundfan75]

Thanks for the input, Bergantino HD212 incoming!

[soundfan75]

DR201 + Bergantino HD212 is sweet! The tweeter on the Berg is so subtle. I am impressed with the flexibility of the Hiwatt EQ, great scooped tones, but also very usable mids for a more forward sound.