Took a Chance and Bought DR103 #3449

[mcdyas]

Well, I was looking for one and this listing came up on ebay looking clean and described that way. Now when I get I'll have to see how much Pete Cage is going to have to do to bring it up to spec and restore if needed.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

[Dr.HI-TONE]

Nice 1972 HIWATT!
What a good deal too!!!
I doubt that anything needs "restored" possibly a cap job, but these amps are just built incredibly.

[mcdyas]

Right, I thought it was a good price since I've been watching them on ebay for a couple months and seen worse going for alot more. But, the description was kind of funny on this one so I would have liked to have seen pics of the innards. So, I'm taking a chance that no hack mods have been done inside. The outside didn't have any holes drilled in it at least. I guess I'll want to add a bias pot, right?

[Dr.HI-TONE]

the description sucked! Who in their right mind would copy the BS from MG and use that when describing a real HIWATT?????

It sure looks clean! Congrats!

Personally I would not add a bias pot unless it really runs the EL34's extremely hot. Most Hylights do run the EL34's somewhat hot, but this is usually not an issue. Some do run them Extremely hot and in those amps I would begin to consider a bias adjustment. If the amp already has some minor mods, then it isn't as big a deal. I am one of if not the biggest Hylight HIWATT fanatic out there............I keep mine stock.

I would want to know exactly how hard the amp is pushing the tubes before modding it.

[OldSchoolDave]

I am one of if not the biggest Hylight HIWATT fanatic out there............

Do ya need a witness ?

Excellent buy, mcdyas! Didn't see any gut shots, but the fact that there's no extra holes is a good sign.

Dave

[mcdyas]

so, i got the amp today and i can say without any doubt that this is not only the best amp buy i've ever made but also the best amp i've ever had or played. it is like my 78 dr504 but so much better.

i opened up the back after i turned on the power and saw the GE EL34's nicely glowing and alot of cobwebs too. it just sounds so great. more chime, clarity, richness than in any other amp i've played.

[Dr.HI-TONE]

Awesome! Real HIWATTs are incredible!
Post some pics!
Congrats again!

[OldSchoolDave]

... but also the best amp i've ever had or played.

Well done! Not sure I'd have taken that leap, given the lack of gut shots and non-helpful auction description.

Really glad to hear the amp is a winner. Congrats!

Dave

[mcdyas]

I identified the GE EL34's as the XF2 B variety made in Great Britain. I'll pull the chassis and take some pics and check out all the tubes when I get a chance.

I am guessing that the GE's are replacement tubes since with the amp being made in England it would seem they would put an "English" brand tube in there. Did Hiwatt put GE brand tubes in their amps in 1972? I am just assuming that GE brand would be labeled and exported to the US, but then again GE had sales and distribution in England at that time.

[Dr.HI-TONE]

The GE's are replacements. The most Perfect replacement!

The amp when new would have had Mullard labelled valves in it.

[mcdyas]

Awesome! Real HIWATTs are incredible!
Post some pics!
Congrats again!

I had a chance to pull the chassis today. Mostly I found red factory paint on every solder joint except where it looks like a cap had been replaced and a few components related to it (made a close-up pic of it). The replacement looks a little funky to me, but I'm no expert.

I feel prettly lucky to have a found 72 Hiwatt this clean. It just sounds so good!

The pre-amp tubes are all 12AX7. Brimars in positions 2,3 and 4, but an RCA in V1.

Link to all pics: http://s427.photobucket.com/albums/pp35 ... %20DR-103/

[Dr.HI-TONE]

You lucked out without seeing the "gut shots".
It needs a cap job, that bogus blue nichicon cap isn't original as well as a few other minor components, but overall its nice!

Congrats!

[mcdyas]

You lucked out without seeing the "gut shots".
It needs a cap job, that bogus blue nichicon cap isn't original as well as a few other minor components, but overall its nice!

Congrats!

Do you think the nichicon cap being there has much affect on the sound, assuming it is the correct value? Would I have a noticeable improvement in sound by replacing it with a more proper part?

[Dr.HI-TONE]

I have been told they suck, but I don't have an amp with them, so I cannot say for certain. The other caps need to go so I would get rid of that nichicon when replacing the others.

[mcdyas]

Are you saying they need to go just based on the age with them being original caps?