NAD: Blackstar Amped 1

[Jarick]

Two new amps in one week!

Actually bought this before the Orange Rocker 15. I wanted a decent mono solid state power amp to run with my modelers into the Orange cab. This guy had pretty good reviews and it could be run either as a flat power amp with basic EQ controls or as a single channel amp with variable preamp/poweramp modes.

Right off the bat, this sounds better than anything else I've tried for this purpose. I was using the Katana Artist as a power amp and cab for a while but it sounded a bit harsh and fizzy. The Orange cab helped, but I still needed to cut the treble a bit. The Rocker 15 effects return actually sounded worse than the Katana, it had a lot more harshness.

But the Blackstar is a little smoother in the top end and the various amp models sound better without tweaking. The EQ is really useful too for quick adjustments without menu diving. It can go really loud, but on the 1 watt mode it's perfect for home. It still has a good low end thump with the 5153 model, again much better sounding than the Rocker tube amp I was using the last couple days (for this purpose anyway).

 

[Badonkey Kong]

Very cool! Glad it's working out for you.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Just got one.

 

[Desertdweller]

Cosigned. I've had one for a few months and it's a fantastic little unit. The tube emulation each give a unique spin on this amp.

 

[CBHScott]

I’ve been on a Blackstar tear this week. Got both a Debut 50r and a dirt-cheap used HT20 MkII (second go-round in that one).

Although the HT20 could die at any second, I like the tones over the rival DSL. Haven’t had much time with the Debut, but it’s SS and decent overall.

 

[KingsXJJ]

I’ve been on a Blackstar tear this week. Got both a Debut 50r and a dirt-cheap used HT20 MkII (second go-round in that one).

Although the HT20 could die at any second, I like the tones over the rival DSL. Haven’t had much time with the Debut, but it’s SS and decent overall.

I prefer the Blackstar HT-20HR and HT-5HR over the DSL Equivalents. I really wanted to like the DSL’s but they seemed to bright and gainy for my taste. I know some folks love them. I have a HT-5H MKIII on the way from Europe for $399 +$49 shipping with no tax. Looking forward to it’s tone and Cab-Rig options.

 

[Life Eats Life]

Two new amps in one week!

Actually bought this before the Orange Rocker 15. I wanted a decent mono solid state power amp to run with my modelers into the Orange cab. This guy had pretty good reviews and it could be run either as a flat power amp with basic EQ controls or as a single channel amp with variable preamp/poweramp modes.

Right off the bat, this sounds better than anything else I've tried for this purpose. I was using the Katana Artist as a power amp and cab for a while but it sounded a bit harsh and fizzy. The Orange cab helped, but I still needed to cut the treble a bit. The Rocker 15 effects return actually sounded worse than the Katana, it had a lot more harshness.

But the Blackstar is a little smoother in the top end and the various amp models sound better without tweaking. The EQ is really useful too for quick adjustments without menu diving. It can go really loud, but on the 1 watt mode it's perfect for home. It still has a good low end thump with the 5153 model, again much better sounding than the Rocker tube amp I was using the last couple days (for this purpose anyway).

Man, a lot of that top end tricky’ness is tubes.
No tubes…no boobs.
But it sounds like you’ve gotten closer and are good with it so that’s rad.
This gear stuff is Uber expensive and it’s real easy to be grostestically wasteful if not careful and true to one’s needs.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Two new amps in one week!

Actually bought this before the Orange Rocker 15. I wanted a decent mono solid state power amp to run with my modelers into the Orange cab. This guy had pretty good reviews and it could be run either as a flat power amp with basic EQ controls or as a single channel amp with variable preamp/poweramp modes.

Right off the bat, this sounds better than anything else I've tried for this purpose. I was using the Katana Artist as a power amp and cab for a while but it sounded a bit harsh and fizzy. The Orange cab helped, but I still needed to cut the treble a bit. The Rocker 15 effects return actually sounded worse than the Katana, it had a lot more harshness.

But the Blackstar is a little smoother in the top end and the various amp models sound better without tweaking. The EQ is really useful too for quick adjustments without menu diving. It can go really loud, but on the 1 watt mode it's perfect for home. It still has a good low end thump with the 5153 model, again much better sounding than the Rocker tube amp I was using the last couple days (for this purpose anyway).

Very nice to hear!