NAD : 1973 Hiwatt DR405 has returned to the great white north!

[Zentner]

I had the pleasure of driving 30 hours this weekend to meet Zells, a fellow talkbass poster, and I wound up giving this amp a ride home... go figure! I'm pretty excited to give it a rip tomorrow, but even at low volumes it's a very fat, clean, and musical amplifier- I'm sure it's only a preview of what's to come...



*I completely understand the ridiculousness that is a DR405 on top of a Glockenklang cabinet.... it will be sitting on my Squareback 810 tomorrow, I promise!

[bottomend!]

Single 8-10? The '4' in the name means FOUR cabs should be hooked up to this beast. Get to work.

[Zentner]

Originally Posted by bottomend!

Single 8-10? The '4' in the name means FOUR cabs should be hooked up to this beast. Get to work.

Working on it!

[pgk]

wow

[bgmww]

Holly sh1t.. How did i miss this thread ?
That is a BEAST ! Congratulations mate ! i've one of the brand new DR405, but you know, a 1973 one is da real thing.
How did it work with the squareback ?

[Low End Lover]

Hiwatts are incredible amps and underappreciated IMO. Nice.

LEL

[hennessybass]

Congrats!

Check out -- Mark Huss Hiwatt Amplifier Pages --

They run a registry -- MHuss HIWATT Amplifier Pages - HIWATT Registry -- you should register as the new owner.

[Zentner]

Ok, I've been wanting to write a review on this amp since I got it, so here it is - a la Harmony Central style...




Brand: Hiwatt
Model/Year: DR405 - 1973
Purchased from: Talkbass Classifieds
Price: $4500.00 + Shipping costs

Reviewer Background

I've been playing semi-professionally for over 10 years, and I'm a vintage bass gear enthusiast. I currently own a 1970 Ampeg SVT, 1975 Ampeg V9, 2001 Peavey Classic 400, 2004 Traynor YBA-200, 1970's Rickenbacker B-115, 1970's Oliver P500, so I am quite familiar with all tube bass amplifiers. I have used a variety of basses with the amplifer in this review, both active and passive, and I've achieved a variety of usable sounds.

Features 5/5 Stars

This is a simple amplifier, and though it's features are few and far between- they are nonetheless very well thought out for this piece of professional audio equipment. Firstly, the amp has a convection cooling system, and is not produced with a fan for 'noiseless' operation. The Hiwatt DR405 also has 4 separate inputs for high and low gain on normal and brilliant channels. The two channels can be 'jumpered' by the use of a 1/4" cable for additional gain and EQ control, as each channel has a different tonal characteristic. The Hiwatt DR405 also features a 4 band EQ, with Bass, Treble, Middle, and Presence controls as well as a master volume. The rear panel has 4 outputs for speaker cabinets, wired as 2 sets of parallel jacks in series, and an overall impedance selector for 4, 8, or 16ohms. This allows anywhere from one 16ohm cabinet to four 4 ohm cabinets to run safely with this amplifier's impressive 400 watts of power output. Being that this is an amplifier built with limited EQ controls, the ability to jump channels really allows some fantastic tone shaping capabilities. The addition of the master volume allows the user varying amounts of gain, even at modest volume levels. With many of today's smaller speaker cabinets being built at 4 ohms, the ability to use a multiple 4 ohm cabinets is a real plus, and not being limited to only a 4 or 8 ohm load is something many current manufacturers miss. The last, and most impressive feature of the Hiwatt DR405 is it's incredible amount of output. This amp is capable of producing stadium-worthy amounts of volume, especially when used in conjunction with multiple speaker cabinets.

Sound Quality 5/5 Stars

The Hiwatt DR405 has a deep, warm character much like many all tube bass amplifiers. This amp differs from others with it's clean and balanced tone, subtle EQ options, output volume, and clarity. Many tube bass amplifiers have a reputation for being overly gritty, and only suitable for rock or other music with a somewhat distorted tone. Fortunately, the Hiwatt DR405 produces a very clean signal, capable of reproducing your bass' individual sound with added EQ and colour. The EQ includes Bass (+/-20db), Treble + Presence (-6bd to +30db total including presence) and Middle (+10db). The EQ on this amp is passive, so the EQ works differently than on that of an SVT, and doesn't add as much volume as one might expect. When compared to other tube bass amps on the market, I was surprised at the low amount of electronic noise from this particular amp- even when at high volumes. The Hiwatt DR405 has a very balanced, full range sound that I have not experienced from an all tube bass amplifier until now and I am able to hear every note I play come across with equal volume and presence. This amplifier is a very hi-fi approach to the bass amplifier when compared with similar offerings from Ampeg, Sunn, Traynor, etc.

Reliability/Durability 5/5 Stars

The Hiwatt DR405 is a hand-wired amplifier with easy access to all components. The components used are of much higher quality than current offshore built amplifiers. As mentioned previously, the amp features a convection cooling system which keeps the sextet of KT88's cool while operating. The head case is very solid, and the tolex used is durable.

Ease of Use 5/5 Stars

With a 4-band EQ and master volume, it's easy to achieve the desired amount of equalization for your particular instrument, as well as the appropriate volume level for your situation.

Customer Support -/5 Stars

With Hiwatt having different ownership than when the amplifier was produced, one is best off finding a local tech to service this amplifier.

Overall Rating 5/5 Stars

The Hiwatt DR405 is a flagship bass amplifier - complete with impressive options for cabinet impedance, multiple channels, a simple and musical EQ, and 400 watts of tube power. The ability to jump channels allows further tonal options and gain. The amplifier's clean and musical EQ section is subtle, allowing the user to add just the right amount of Bass, Mid, or Treble, and the presence control can add the extra 'sheen' to cut through the mix a little better. With unmatched quality, quiet operation, and a rich, full tone, I have heard no better amplifier for bass.

[I<34080]

Good to see it was worth the drive

[JimmyM]

30 hours??? Holy cow, you're lucky to be alive!

Killer looking amp...nice score!

[georgestrings]

Killer amp - to say I'm jealous would be an understatement!!!


- georgestrings

[Zentner]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

30 hours??? Holy cow, you're lucky to be alive!

Killer looking amp...nice score!

Thanks, Jimmy. I've actually driven as much as 50 hours for gear.... to and from Las Vegas for the 30" rickenbacker cabinets in my profile picture.


....and to anyone who thinks this amp was overpriced...

$8090.00 in the year 2010 has the same "purchase power" as $1650 in the year 1973.

[oddio]

The DR405 is one of the few amps on my "dream amp list" that I either don't or haven't owned. I explored the possibility of purchasing one of the newer ones, but folks in the know tipped me off to the quality control which was highly questionable at the time.

That is truly an amazing score and I'm glad to hear that it's receiving the appropriate amount of love!

[aledeville]

@oddio
Then you should probably look at Weber-Amps Kompromislose Einkanäler which is a german custom builder who rebuilds the old hiwatts. Outstanding units!
Pricing is very low, the 100 costs around 1000 and the 200 around 1200 euros.

One day I'll buy one, not because I need one, just to have one
Every power tube is bias-able (no more buying of matched sets) and it's light 22,6kg (under 50lbs).

[bgmww]

Originally Posted by oddio

The DR405 is one of the few amps on my "dream amp list" that I either don't or haven't owned. I explored the possibility of purchasing one of the newer ones, but folks in the know tipped me off to the quality control which was highly questionable at the time.

That is truly an amazing score and I'm glad to hear that it's receiving the appropriate amount of love!

Well.. just a few weeks ago i got one of the brand new ones. It traveled all the way from UK to Argentina. It arrived in perfect condition and works flawlessly.
I used to have a 1973 DR103, which i sold to get more power. All i can say is the new one is as good as the the Hylight era amp.
I know. there are no Partridge transformers now, but the ones they're using now make the amp sound just like the old ones.
All i can see on this amp is Quality.

[Zentner]

Originally Posted by oddio

The DR405 is one of the few amps on my "dream amp list" that I either don't or haven't owned. I explored the possibility of purchasing one of the newer ones, but folks in the know tipped me off to the quality control which was highly questionable at the time.

That is truly an amazing score and I'm glad to hear that it's receiving the appropriate amount of love!

Thanks for the kind words, oddio. I've been looking at your blog for years... I've always looked up to the stuff you've got... from the vintage traynor gear to the V8, to the Millennia rig- you've pretty much got everything I'm interested in, haha!

To be honest, I had written the DR405 out of my mind... I figured I'd never be able to afford one even if I did find one in unmolested condition. In my fascination for giant tube bass amps, I always wanted a Trace Elliot V8- so I've been on the hunt for one at a decent price (Under $4000?) for the past 5 or 6 years- almost as a replacement in my mind for the DR405. When this amp came along- I knew I had to make it happen at pretty much any cost.

Cheers.

[DJJazzV]

Awesome score, and even more impressive commitment! Congratulations! I'd like to hear it. Face it towards New Jersey, turn it up louder than a "Freedom Rock" album, and start playing!

Originally Posted by Zentner

Thanks for the kind words, oddio. I've been looking at your blog for years... I've always looked up to the stuff you've got... from the vintage traynor gear to the V8, to the Millennia rig- you've pretty much got everything I'm interested in, haha!

To be honest, I had written the DR405 out of my mind... I figured I'd never be able to afford one even if I did find one in unmolested condition. In my fascination for giant tube bass amps, I always wanted a Trace Elliot V8- so I've been on the hunt for one at a decent price (Under $4000?) for the past 5 or 6 years- almost as a replacement in my mind for the DR405. When this amp came along- I knew I had to make it happen at pretty much any cost.

Cheers.