The Broughton Audio Super Watt is a tube preamp pedal designed around the Hiwatt DR103 tube amp. According to Broughton Audio, it captures the headroom and crystal clarity of the original amp, allowing for powerful tube tones for bass and guitar1. It sits in the preamp pedal category, alongside other Broughton designs like the Archetype Tube Preamp and the FlipTop.
The Super Watt captures the headroom and crystal clarity of the original amp, allowing for powerful tube tones for bass and guitar1.
Tone and controls
The Super Watt carries a passive EQ tone stack. Broughton Audio describes it as interacting intuitively, making for a highly musical tone stack that cuts through without any shrill, ultra high frequencies. The low end can be boosted for extra presence for bass guitar, which makes the pedal usable on both bass and guitar rigs1.
Because the preamp runs an actual tube rather than a solid state emulation, players can also shape its response by swapping tubes, covered below1.
Power and the tube
The pedal requires a 12V DC power supply for maximum performance. It can be powered by a 9V supply, but the gain and headroom will be decreased. Broughton Audio warns not to use a supply greater than 12V or less than 9V. The supply must use a 2.1mm barrel with center negative polarity, must be regulated, and must be capable of providing at least 300 mA1.
A 300 mA current requirement is well beyond what most daisy chain supplies deliver per output, so the Super Watt generally needs its own dedicated supply output.
The Super Watt comes equipped with a new production JJ 12AX7 tube. If you want even more headroom and lower gain, Broughton Audio says you can replace the tube with lower gain 12A tubes, such as the 12AT7. Unplug the power supply before changing the tube1.
Questions
Is the Broughton Audio Super Watt true bypass?
Yes. Broughton Audio states the Super Watt has a true bypass switch, so when the pedal is off, your signal passes through without going through the preamp circuit.
Can the Super Watt run on 9V?
It can, but with a trade-off. Broughton Audio says the pedal requires a 12V DC supply for maximum performance, and that a 9V supply will decrease the gain and headroom. Do not use a supply greater than 12V or less than 9V.
Can you swap the tube in the Super Watt for a 12AT7?
Yes. The pedal ships with a new production JJ 12AX7, and Broughton Audio says you can replace it with lower gain 12A-family tubes such as the 12AT7 for more headroom and lower gain. Unplug the power supply before changing the tube.
Does the Super Watt work for both bass and guitar?
Yes. Broughton Audio describes it as capturing the headroom and crystal clarity of the Hiwatt DR103 for powerful tube tones for bass and guitar. The passive EQ's low end can be boosted for extra presence for bass guitar.
How much does the Broughton Super Watt cost?
The list price on Broughton Audio's product page is US$275.00, as of 26 October 2026.
Sources (1)
- Super Watt, Broughton Audio
