NAD: Marshall DSL100HR

[mbenigni]

I spent a couple of hours at Atomic Music today, and it didn't disappoint. So many used guitars and amps in one room. Nothing I'd call "a steal" but lots of really solid deals.

They did have a DSL100H (pre-HR) and after sitting with it for a while, I have to agree with @HomespunEffects: it sounds killer through the right speaker cabinet. It was also dead silent with volumes rolled back - no transformer hum, etc. from the head. Atomic has it tagged at $599; maybe room to haggle? If I didn't already have the HR sitting at home I probably would have grabbed it, and maybe I will go back for it before I leave town anyway.

The 100H has no master volume (compared with the almost excessive 2x MVs on the HR), but the per channel Volume/ Gain arrangement is perfectly sufficient. I don't have any use for a direct out, so the only thing I'd likely miss if I went with the H is the HR's MIDI control.

There were also a few MkII combos, and a few MkIIIs, all in the $2K ballpark. I had to keep telling myself I don't want another combo. But... a TC-50 head for $1600 caught my eye and I spent a while playing that. Really lovely amp, but a little more than I'm trying to spend.

Atomic is only 20 minutes from this hotel. :O Sleeping on it...

 

[Byrdman]

I spent a couple of hours at Atomic Music today, and it didn't disappoint. So many used guitars and amps in one room. Nothing I'd call "a steal" but lots of really solid deals.

They did have a DSL100H (pre-HR) and after sitting with it for a while, I have to agree with @HomespunEffects: it sounds killer through the right speaker cabinet. It was also dead silent with volumes rolled back - no transformer hum, etc. from the head. Atomic has it tagged at $599; maybe room to haggle? If I didn't already have the HR sitting at home I probably would have grabbed it, and maybe I will go back for it before I leave town anyway.

The 100H has no master volume (compared with the almost excessive 2x MVs on the HR), but the per channel Volume/ Gain arrangement is perfectly sufficient. I don't have any use for a direct out, so the only thing I'd likely miss if I went with the H is the HR's MIDI control.

There were also a few MkII combos, and a few MkIIIs, all in the $2K ballpark. I had to keep telling myself I don't want another combo. But... a TC-50 head for $1600 caught my eye and I spent a while playing that. Really lovely amp, but a little more than I'm trying to spend.

Atomic is only 20 minutes from this hotel. :O Sleeping on it...

I love my DSL100H. I don't Think you would be disappointed with either decision. I did the C19 mod on mine that removed the bright cap on the Red Ch. IMO, is sounds a lot better for the music I play.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I spent a couple of hours at Atomic Music today, and it didn't disappoint. So many used guitars and amps in one room. Nothing I'd call "a steal" but lots of really solid deals.

They did have a DSL100H (pre-HR) and after sitting with it for a while, I have to agree with @HomespunEffects: it sounds killer through the right speaker cabinet. It was also dead silent with volumes rolled back - no transformer hum, etc. from the head. Atomic has it tagged at $599; maybe room to haggle? If I didn't already have the HR sitting at home I probably would have grabbed it, and maybe I will go back for it before I leave town anyway.

The 100H has no master volume (compared with the almost excessive 2x MVs on the HR), but the per channel Volume/ Gain arrangement is perfectly sufficient. I don't have any use for a direct out, so the only thing I'd likely miss if I went with the H is the HR's MIDI control.

There were also a few MkII combos, and a few MkIIIs, all in the $2K ballpark. I had to keep telling myself I don't want another combo. But... a TC-50 head for $1600 caught my eye and I spent a while playing that. Really lovely amp, but a little more than I'm trying to spend.

Atomic is only 20 minutes from this hotel. :O Sleeping on it...

Nice! I would LOVE to stop there one day. Did you play through that teal TC100? That thing definitely has a look. I might be inclinded to roll the dice on the DSLH and return the MF one with a new, different noise. Haggle that price down a bit if you can but it seems nicely priced where it is?

 

[JiveTurkey]

Also; this should be taking up some space in Aunt Edna's chair on the way home

 

[Mongillo19]

Aunt Edna's

@mbenigni goes by many names it seems

 

[AFKAEjay(retired)]

Also; this should be taking up some space in Aunt Edna's chair on the way home
View attachment 42058

If it comes with a certificate that it was used as a prop by the houseband in a Battlestar galactica episode!

 

[mbenigni]

Also; this should be taking up some space in Aunt Edna's chair on the way home
View attachment 42058

It was one of the first things I saw! I picked it up and I swear it weighed 20lbs. And they wanted something like $1200. I put it right back, obviously.

(It played surprisingly well, though.)

 

[mbenigni]

If it comes with a certificate that it was used as a prop by the houseband in a Battlestar galactica episode!

“OH, WHY DIDNT YOU SAY SO??”

 

[HomespunEffects]

… it sounds killer through the right speaker cabinet. …

A Mode 4 cabinet with G12K-85s is my favorite.

 

[Mongillo19]

I meant to ask @mbenigni , what's with the sudden urge for an amp? Not that I'm one to argue against more gear just curious

 

[mbenigni]

I meant to ask @mbenigni , what's with the sudden urge for an amp? Not that I'm one to argue against more gear just curious

Totally fair question since I have no practical need at the moment. But… I saw a local Sabbath tribute recently, and the guitars sounded incredible. The guitarist was running a JCM2000, and when I found out something as similar as the DSL100H/HR could be had so cheaply, I just couldn’t get it out of my head. Stupid FOMO/ GAS, basically.

 

[Byrdman]

I meant to ask @mbenigni , what's with the sudden urge for an amp? Not that I'm one to argue against more gear just curious

IMO, a 100W Marshall through a 412 is a rite of passage! I even looked it up...

Rite Of Passage (noun) - a ceremony or event marking an important stage in someone's life, especially birth, puberty, marriage, playing a 100w Marshall with a 412, and death.