Hiwatt Bulldog 440???

[Doombuggy68]

Anyone own one of these?
There's not a lot of information on them and it doesn't look like there are very many dealers here in the USA. I'd like to see what the insides look like and how much of a rats nest they are.
I realize it's a budget import and wouldn't sound like a DR103 but I'm looking for something that has less weight and doesn't have the Class D modern tone more of a vintage sound with more presence and grit (when needed).
I currently own a Quilter 800 and it's a great amp but it's too modern. I'm use to old Acoustic Control 370 and Marshall SuperBass heads.

 

[Marko 1]

I saw one for sale at the GC Used site a couple/few months ago, got curious so I googled and found this. It's a super-cool looking unit that I find very attractive, and affordable.

Now you've got me looking at it again.

Hiwatt Bulldog 440 440-Watt Bass Head | Reverb

 

[6thplanet]

Nice looking unit!

 

[Marko 1]

The 39lbs I can manage, but I want to see "RMS" on the power rating.

Now that I think about it, if it's only 400 or 440 RMS at 4-ohms, I don't think I'd be interested anywayz.

 

[6thplanet]

2 8ohm 4-10's with 400 watts will definitely get it done.

 

[Doombuggy68]

2 8ohm 4-10's with 400 watts will definitely get it done.

I have an older Italian made Markbass CL108 810. It's a little smaller and narrower than an SVT 810.
The head fits the cab and doesn't hang off. Im gonna use it at practice this week.

 

[Doombuggy68]

The 39lbs I can manage, but I want to see "RMS" on the power rating.

Now that I think about it, if it's only 400 or 440 RMS at 4-ohms, I don't think I'd be interested anywayz.

I don't think it's rated like the overrated wattage you find with Class D amps. it probably closer in wattage rating to an old 70s solid state amps that use bigger transformers.

 

[agedhorse]

I don't think it's rated like the overrated wattage you find with Class D amps. it probably closer in wattage rating to an old 70s solid state amps that use bigger transformers.

I think you just might be wrong.

 

[Doombuggy68]

I think you just might be wrong.

Do you have any information?

 

[Marko 1]

Do you have any information?

There's no information otherwise that I can imagine.

These are new, companies know what RMS is and if they don't specify it, I don't think it's just because they happened to forget.

That's my view unless I see/hear something that's pretty convincing otherwise.

 

[Doombuggy68]

There's no information otherwise that I can imagine.

These are new, companies know what RMS is and if they don't specify it, I don't think it's just because they happened to forget.

That's my view unless I see/hear something that's pretty convincing otherwise.

I used it this weekend with an 810 cab and it's very loud. I'm use to old amps that move air.

 

[agedhorse]

Do you have any information?

Yes, there are plenty of class D amps that specify average rated power in watts RMS. The Subway amps are one example, but there are plenty of others like GK, Bergantino, Genzler, Ampeg.

 

[6thplanet]

So @Doombuggy68 you bought one?

 

[darkwasthenight]

I'm handsome chap in the 440 demo on our channel, so probably qualified to answer most of your questions that aren't technical. The Bulldogs aren't wired like our Custom Shop gear but I wouldn't say they're rats nest. Is that something that particularly bothers you? I don't have one out of the chassis right now to take shots unfortunately.

Anyway they're predominantly loud and clean as there isn't any grit built into the preamp. The Gain control really works with the limiter circuit (which is also bypassable) to adjust how hard you're hitting the threshold. They definitely weigh less than a 103, but we have a "Studio" version coming out without the woodwork which cuts the weight down even more!

 

[agedhorse]

I'm handsome chap in the 440 demo on our channel, so probably qualified to answer most of your questions that aren't technical. The Bulldogs aren't wired like our Custom Shop gear but I wouldn't say they're rats nest. Is that something that particularly bothers you? I don't have one out of the chassis right now to take shots unfortunately.

Anyway they're predominantly loud and clean as there isn't any grit built into the preamp. The Gain control really works with the limiter circuit (which is also bypassable) to adjust how hard you're hitting the threshold. They definitely weigh less than a 103, but we have a "Studio" version coming out without the woodwork which cuts the weight down even more!

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[Doombuggy68]

@darkwasthenight
Are you a HIWATT employee?
I've owned 3 DR103 and a CP103 back 20 years ago. I know a little about the original models. I realize the 440s are PCBs and not hand wired. I can just about guess what it looks like inside from owning Asian made Vox amps. I would like to have a little more info than the generic flyer that comes with the amp that obviously goes with other amps in the Asian Hiwatt line. Like what the actual wattage is and if it was a D class. I purchased the 440 last week and I'm having issues with it losing sound every now and then, it's not constantly happening. The power stays on. I don't know if it's a bad solder joint that is losing connection with the vibration or what's going on. The cab I'm using is an 810 4ohm and I'm using a Monster speaker cable. I plan on playing through it this weekend and if it's doing it I'll box it up and send it back to the dealer. Wondering if this is a common problem.

 

[darkwasthenight]

@darkwasthenight
Are you a HIWATT employee?
I've owned 3 DR103 and a CP103 back 20 years ago. I know a little about the original models. I realize the 440s are PCBs and not hand wired. I can just about guess what it looks like inside from owning Asian made Vox amps. I would like to have a little more info than the generic flyer that comes with the amp that obviously goes with other amps in the Asian Hiwatt line. Like what the actual wattage is and if it was a D class. I purchased the 440 last week and I'm having issues with it losing sound every now and then, it's not constantly happening. The power stays on. I don't know if it's a bad solder joint that is losing connection with the vibration or what's going on. The cab I'm using is an 810 4ohm and I'm using a Monster speaker cable. I plan on playing through it this weekend and if it's doing it I'll box it up and send it back to the dealer. Wondering if this is a common problem.

We spoke briefly earlier on the facebook group I think - I'm with the UK team.

I don't have the technical knowledge to answer your wattage question without making a hash of myself unfortunately (I'm mostly shipping and sales side) so to prevent any confusion I'll have to pass on that right now, but will send it over to the relevant team.

Short answers that I can provide are that the Bulldog is not class D and no you're not experiencing a common problem (or one I have encountered before for that matter). This isn't really the venue for diagnosis and as mentioned I'm not the guy to speak to anyway, so I'd suggest speaking to your dealer and we'll go from there regarding fix or exchange. Hope that helps!

 

[walterw]

I'm looking for something that has less weight and doesn't have the Class D modern tone more of a vintage sound with more presence and grit (when needed).
I currently own a Quilter 800 and it's a great amp but it's too modern. I'm use to old Acoustic Control 370 and Marshall SuperBass heads.

i don't think one has much to do with the other, "presence and grit" is more about the preamp character than whether the power section is class D or not

 

[Doombuggy68]

i don't think one has much to do with the other, "presence and grit" is more about the preamp character than whether the power section is class D or not

I've tried several D class amps and none have packed enough punch for me and they sound far too modern and HiFi. Great for slapping or cocktail Jazz, not so great in a RNR band

 

[agedhorse]

I've tried several D class amps and none have packed enough punch for me and they sound far too modern and HiFi. Great for slapping or cocktail Jazz, not so great in a RNR band

Perhaps you haven't tried the right amps to draw that conclusion? It also might be that you prefer a different preamp voicing than those you tried, and it has nothing to do with the power amp class itself.