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Posted by: MickeM Oct 28 2008, 10:26 AM

Blackstar who are a relatively new company is pushing out one interesting product after another. Their series of pedals seem to be great ones and also their handwired Artisan series of 15, 30 and 100 watt amps.

They are releaseing a contender in the 5 watt segment, and what a beauty she is! It should be in stores late November.


Funny thing is that it's called HT, same as the pedal series so it's supposedly carrying the craftsmanship of the pedals in it's preamp section.
Also comes in a 1x10 combo version and there's a mini stack too (head + 2 pcs of 1x12 cabinets)

- A studio and practice amp that has two channels, clean and dirty.
- Has speaker emulated output (1x12 or 4x12 voicing).
- An effects loop.
- Also has something called ISF and simply put one can say that's a texture knob, you've seen it on other amps. Elmwood has a texture knob on their Modena and I suppose it's what Peavey Valveking also comes with, sits in the back. It's like "turn it and go from a US kind of amp sound into UK territory). It's a UK design so I expect it to sound bristish in it's foundation.

In a small 5 watter all of this together is just WOW!!

It's poweramp has a 12BH7 dual triode tube that delivers 5 watt but the character is supposed to be like a cranked 100 watt amp. This was Blackstars idea about this amp to start with.

Preamp: 1xECC83 and Poweramp: 1x12BH7
10˝ Celestion speaker in the combo (and cabinet)

Priced adound twice of Blackheart to name a competitor
Head cost around €300
Combo around €360

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Oct 28 2008, 10:30 AM

5W just isn't enough for me. I need to hear an amp roar

Posted by: MickeM Oct 28 2008, 10:37 AM

Maybe if you put your ear next to the cloth 5W is enough?

I became quite interested in this amp. I could use 5 watts for home and to record with and this baby seem to come packed. And especially is this one comes "roaring" like a 100 watt amp (like Blackstar states) already at low volumes.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Oct 28 2008, 10:39 AM

I can see my neighbours buying me one for Christmas

Posted by: audiopaal Oct 28 2008, 10:53 AM

Looks nice

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 28 2008, 11:13 AM

Cranking this amp at home won't do, because even 5W is very loud, at least for my idea of practice. I would still like to try it tho, it seems pretty nice

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Oct 28 2008, 11:16 AM

I use a 15 W solid state amp at home with twin gains

Posted by: MickeM Oct 28 2008, 11:34 AM

Yes.
5W amps are getting more and more popular. I think the trend is moving towards 1/2 - 1 W amps but it's only rescently people seem to have discovered that you don't need 100W. And I belive the market wouldn't sell any 1/2 amps since people would just look passed them as too small since being used to their 100W.
I think 5W is a reasonable step for most people to take after all.
In a few years from now I belive we'll see more and more 1/2 watters as it will be more widely spread that 5 watts is actually loud for home use.
In studio the 5 is perfect, it's got the extra headroom and bottom a 1/2 would lack.

After all, it's the market that decides what amp we want to buy. And as always the market is slow but it's moving towards smaller amps and right now it's 5W, soon it will be 1W.

Posted by: blindwillie Oct 28 2008, 01:36 PM

Mmmm interesting.
I hope you are right about the Watt-trend. I'd love to see a wider spectrum of 1/2 Watt-ers.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Oct 28 2008, 01:38 PM

People will start plugging their guitars into lamps soon. Amps will be a thing of the past. No sound just a fancy light display

Posted by: MickeM Oct 28 2008, 01:53 PM

Lamps, the name itself is so revieling. But there it's difficult to find one below 25W. While a 1/2W lamp would be great for bedroom practice it can often come off as too dim.

They usually come as 40W and 60W which are suitable for home use. When you reach wattage up to 100, 200, 300W and above it's way too much for home use. They are more suitable for arenas.
If you install an attenuator (dimmer) that should be ok. You can then bring it all the way down to zero. One could think close to zero is perfect for recording but it isn't, it'll be too dark to find the recording buttons.



It would be nice to have a selection. Sad thing though is that I don't think they will be a lot cheaper than a 5 watter. Only if players know what they want and are willing to pay for less watts, or pay for what they need, though they'd get 1000% more watts for almost the same price.


And how's your 5 watter treating you btw

Posted by: Noangels Oct 28 2008, 02:25 PM

doesnt look too bad,and 5 watts is still loud for home use.Will have to check up some samples of this head

The new Bognor korean made amp doesnt seem too bad too-the sound samples are pretty good for that with its built in reverb and delay.He must have seen a market for this type of head when he joined with Line 6 for their spider valve amps and worked out he could get a bigger slice of the pie doing it alone with his name on the amp:)There cheap too

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 28 2008, 02:47 PM

1 W is a cool option for practice, and 60W for medium venues, 100W is great but that thing is too loud to crank, maybe somebody will crank it once or twice on gigs where there is no PA system to support the amp and that's it.

Posted by: Noangels Oct 28 2008, 03:07 PM

Agree with you Ivan.I think myself and the other guitarist are pushing out 30/40 watts each and thats enough for the powertubes to colour the tone and not be too loud as to deafen us standing by the speakers!The PA can pump out it out further but I wouldnt want to be in front of that
I have played the blade on 10 briefly,but I was the other side of stage!Loud but not as loud as when the guitars went direct to PA some time ago when the band was AB'ng amps and preamps to see what sounded best-I had ear defenders on but the other lads didnt and we must have been pushing out 600 watts(300 each speaker pointing at us)and the drummer and other guitarist said never again in very colourfull language.lol.In fact he said every time he played a chord it hurt him

anyway 5 watts is surpisingly loud when it comes out a tube amp

Posted by: blindwillie Oct 28 2008, 03:23 PM

You might have a point there. People will probably rather get more Watts for the money than an amp with fewer watts even if it excels in the bedrom where they will be using it.


Oh, she is sooo warm and nice to me in my bedroom. She can be a bit loud now and then when we get too excited. If that happens it just takes seconds before my wife is there too. Screaming even louder, shutting my baby up. Killing my black heart.
The attenuator protects against this, but it's not the same thing, not quite the same feel to it.
I understand her. It wouldn't be so noisy if I could use my equipment right, but I'm a beginner and can't make sweet music yet. I practice a lot on my own and it's fun to make alot of noise

Posted by: ChrisVdS Oct 28 2008, 06:35 PM

looks nice but if you have to pay 300 € would it not be better to buy an orange tiny terror 15 watt amp that costs 499 € ??

Posted by: MickeM Oct 29 2008, 12:17 AM

I don't really see why the Orange would be better? It's only feature is the switch between 7/15 watts and as far as I'm concerned that's pretty useless. And as far as being a classic amp, it's made in China and Korea so it's not British which would be worth something as far as coolness-factor.
I've had my eye on the Tiny Terror but I didn't like how it sounded, don' t know why but knowing myself I should. But no. And I've also hesitated on it being 15W, I've already have a 30W amp so it doesn't really fit my collection

This Blackstar has these fatures that appeal to me.
Texture knob. Fun fun fun.
Cabinet simulator
It has a descent EQ which the Orange lacks.
Two channels
And last but not least, I'm so curious about the tube feature they say should have the character of a hard working 100 watt amp.

The Orange says 15W, the Blackstar says 5W. IMO 5W is more useful, 15W is a bit inbetween. Too little for gigging and way too much for practicing at home. And to be frank 5W is also too much but as far as I can see this is one of the best options for home and studio. Especially if it's walking in it's bigger brothers, Artisan model, foot steps.

And to make my point really clear. If this 5W Blackstar costs €300 and there was a 1W Blackstar for €300 I'd get the 1W model.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Oct 29 2008, 12:26 AM

There were times when people did entire gigs with 5 watt amps

Posted by: MickeM Nov 24 2008, 09:48 AM

It's been released now.

Let us know if you spot it, try it, buy it

Posted by: Pavlov Nov 24 2008, 10:01 AM

So basically, for 360 euros you're all set and have an amazing little Tube amp that sounds great? Or would I have to buy the head with it too?

I've really done my homework on guitars, but amps mostly are still a mystery to me. I currently have a vox DA5 but I'm looking toward saving up for a tube.

How is this better than, say, a Blackheart or an epiphone valve thingamajing for home use?

Posted by: MickeM Nov 24 2008, 10:44 AM

360€ is for the Combo. The head runs for 299€ and then you'd need a (matching) cab. The HT-5 mini stack runs for 549€ so for a single cab I guess something like 130-140€

EDIT: If it sounds great or not would be up to the listener. I've only heart one review soundclip and I havn't heard the amp live but a fair guess is - YES, it'll sound great. Perfect for home practicing and home studio, even pro studion. You could gig with it too if you hook it up to your PA, no need for miking since you can just jack up the emulation-output.


A Blackheart or Epi Valve could very well be "better", it depends a bit where you put your value.
Without ever heard the HT-5 I put the extra value in
* ISF texture feature (sweep between british and american sound)
* It's designed to sound a 100W at low volumes. To explain that, if you ever played a 50-100W tube amp at low volumes it's not a full sound at all but rather weak. Crank it an there's a different story, bottom end and headroom and a powerful sound. I've miked a 4x12 cab at home and recorded at low volume, a realaity for many users with either family, neighbours or both to concider. It doesn't sound good at all. You need some Volume! I userstand the HT-5 is designed to deliver the cranked sound already at low volumes which is great for us home users or studio users who want to record. All you need then is to get the volume up to par with the mike.
Also I susped it's a nicer home practice sound aswell.
* There's an effects loop
* There's a cab emulator, check the picture in the first post, there's a jack beside the (5) to the left. That works with headphones aswell.

Compared to the Blackheart or Epi Jr the Blackstar cost more money but has more features. The question is rather whether you need these features or not. If you don't, save a buck by getting a Blackheart or Epi valve. If you want your amp all inclusive, I suggest the Blackheart.

I just feel one should get a HT-5 a.s.a.p before they realize they put the price way too cheap for such an amp!!!!!!!

Posted by: Pavlov Nov 24 2008, 11:48 AM

Ah thanks, much clearer now. One more question, do you need the head or does the combo alone suffice?

Posted by: MickeM Nov 24 2008, 12:00 PM

A combo is sufficient. It's an amp in full with both amlification and a speaker.

A head alone won't work, it's only the amplification part, you need to buy a speaker cabinet to go with it.

Posted by: Darfuria Nov 24 2008, 12:10 PM

Oh tempting...

Mmm, screamyness.

Posted by: kjutte Nov 24 2008, 02:51 PM

GREAT for home or cabin use!

Posted by: MickeM Nov 25 2008, 11:50 PM

Through a 12" it would be so sweet!

Posted by: kjutte Nov 26 2008, 05:51 AM

Love the voice of the demo guy

Posted by: FrankW Nov 27 2008, 06:10 AM

Check out the guy demo-ing the Vox Satchurator...burning it up!

Posted by: MickeM Nov 29 2008, 03:20 PM

Next demo video. This seem to be a pleasant little beast

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Nov 30 2008, 03:20 PM

Wow - very versatile and some great sounds - could make it to my wish list, I'd love something with that range to use for recording!

Posted by: tommyboy Nov 30 2008, 04:23 PM

Pretty cool little amp! 5 watts cranked will still be loud though.

I'm always telling people tube amps aren't rated the same as solid state amps. A 5 watt tube amp is equal in volume to a solid state amp more than twice the wattage rating.

So don't be fooled thinking 5 watts will be bedroom practice level.

tommyboy

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Nov 30 2008, 08:35 PM

No definitely not! But 5W is a a reasonable level for studio and recording work ... I don't see this amp on sale in the US though yet ...

Posted by: tommyboy Nov 30 2008, 09:12 PM

True on the volume for recording and studio work.

Sounds like it delivers some nice tone, that will be the bottom line.

Posted by: MickeM Nov 30 2008, 09:22 PM

On my account it's more for home studio work. Having the opportunity of getting the sound of a cranked 100W amp (claime by Blackstar) and the line out makes it a perfect choise for me.

Posted by: MickeM Dec 18 2008, 02:14 PM

Another demo found on youtube

Posted by: Davie Dec 20 2008, 06:14 PM

I have tried this amp and it's extremely good, loud to . The watts is more than enough and when playing live the sound technicians often wants to reduce the stage sound and tells you to turn the amp volume down. And a tube amp sounds better on higher volumes, therefore I think it's better to have a 5 watt amp than a 100, because you will often have to turn the volume down on the 100watt and decrease the soundquality.

Posted by: inertia Dec 21 2008, 01:57 AM

So MickeM, the million dollar question is "have you bought one yet and when will post a proper GMC demo" haha...looks like a very sweet amp, i think I'm buying the mesa boogie 5:50 for just a bit more versatility, 5 watts seems to be a great fit for many uses, I find my 15 watt tube right now is too loud at my house

Posted by: MickeM Dec 21 2008, 02:07 AM

The answer to that is.... NO
Was going to for christmas but havn't yet, and now it's sold out again so it'll take to end of january until I get my next shot at it. I've got my mind set on it so until anything more appealing shows up I'm getting this one

A Mesa 5:50 would be great for both gigs, rehearsal and practice. Seem like a fine amp to have.

Posted by: Ajmurrell Dec 21 2008, 02:16 AM

Could ebay it!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLACKSTAR-HT-5-HEAD-ALL-VALVE-KILLER-TONE_W0QQitemZ260323945807QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL?hash=item260323945807&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

Posted by: Skewlbuzz Dec 21 2008, 11:45 AM

Was looking at this because I could really use a tube amp for home practice instead of my current solid state..

But I was wondering if the 5w is enough to also play small gigs, lets say 100-200 person crowd?

And would you recommend getting the mini-stack or just the amp + some 4x12 cab?

I also see it has a headphones in jack.. Can you play it without hooking it up with some speakers and only using your headphones?

Posted by: MickeM Dec 21 2008, 12:56 PM

Oh I see... that was a rather good price too if I got the exchange rate right. Shipping from the UK to Sweden never is cheap through.
I don't mind to wait either


If you mike it there's no problem. But I never gigged on an amp less than 30 watts and I even felt 1x12 was a bit too weak at one time. It's so different depending on if it's a small room or large room, id the sound will bounce off of the crowd already in the first line etc etc.
So for miking, yes, otherwise I'm feeling save with 50 watts and a 4x12 for gigs.

If and when I get this I will be playing it through a Marshall 4x12, what I would want is a Marshall 2x12 which has a set of different speakers (don't recall the product name). The HT5 speakers are 1x10 and o matter how much sense that makes to have for your studio work I still prefeer 12 inch speakers.
With the headphones I'm sure it cuts the powerstage.

As I see this amp it's not for gigs, it's home practice and studio only. But as I said, if you mike it - no problem.

Posted by: blindwillie Jan 8 2009, 09:36 PM

I went into my local guitar store today and they had both the 5 watt head and combo Blackstar! Wiii!
I was in a hurry so I just had time for a quick listen on the combo and it impressed me and the top really could drive a 4x12 cab

It is way more expensive than my Blackheart but it has so many more cool features.
The sound characteristics are different ofc. I still (after a quick listen) think the Blackheart is more bluesy and fits my sound prefs better, but that's a matter of taste. For everything else I would guess the Blackstar is better. Both soundwise and because of it's versitality. Even with that short listen I dare to stick my neck out and say this is the best factory made 5 watter today at a reasonable price.

I guess I have to buy one. Two amps can never hurt, right?

Posted by: MickeM Jan 10 2009, 07:41 PM

Very true! Wives though have a hard time understanding this
Sounds like a Blackheart and a Blackstar would compliment eachother... and you could reply easily when people ask
- What amp do you got?
instead of going - I've got a Black.... ehm... which one do I got now again.
You can never go wrong!!!!!

My local music store e-maled me, last week, they just recieved it in their store. I'm going monday to try it, and buy it if they got more than a display

Posted by: blindwillie Jan 11 2009, 01:19 PM

I'm having a hard time explaining to not only wives but people in general why we need four guitars and two amps + all the other gadgets in one family. One more amp won't make any difference

And I already have problem with the Black* thing.

Give us a comment when you have checked them out. I'd like to hear your impression too. I will go back myself when I can spend some quality time with both the head and combo.

Are you aiming for the head or combo, btw?

Good luck. Hope you fall in love.

Posted by: MickeM Jan 11 2009, 01:29 PM

Thanks! I'm going for the head I think. They for the combo in the store aswell so we'll see.
I'm going in tomorrow since I have to go out to besiktiga (checkup) my car anyway.

Posted by: Darfuria Jan 11 2009, 01:35 PM

I'd go for the head, simply because you could just have multiple cabs.

Posted by: 29a Jan 11 2009, 02:03 PM

I'd go with the head to, simple because I can use many heads with one cab.

Posted by: MickeM Jan 14 2009, 11:23 AM

Got myself a Blackstar Head monday, haven't had too much time to play but in short - Two channels, clean and OD. The clean channel is... clean. Loud enought but not crazy loud. The OD channel goes from nice crunch up to crazy distorted. Vintage to modern. Brit or US sound is set with the texture knob.
So far it sounds great. But there was a problem with the headphone jack only giving sound to the left ear so I have to have it repaired... which sucks as a first experience
I did contact Blackheart to complain, I mean they profile themselves with expensive point to point amps but their smaller brother fails. They had no input on what could be wrong but they were really fast to respond.
Anyway, great sounding amp and I'm very happy with the things it can do. I was even lured into some modern drop D riffing which doesn't happen everyday I can tell ya. From kountry to Korn

Mind though that this is different from the Blackheart Little Giant, for blues and rock - like discussed earlier and blindwillies experience - I have to get a BH in the nearest future aswell.
For silent practicing, yes it delivers as soon as the volume knob leaves 0, for recording and for sounds from vintage to modern metal it's the right thing.

So coundclips yet, and it might take awhile before I can make any. Got to get the headphones jack fixed.

Posted by: blindwillie Jan 14 2009, 11:54 AM

Lovely.
I've been looking forward to hear your opinion too.
I'm off to the shop then for a good listen and if I like it I have to buy it. The BH5 will stack nicely on the HT5
Well not today, but soon.

Posted by: MickeM Jan 15 2009, 10:14 AM

The no more problem separating the two

- I have a black..uhm and a black...eh..

I went to the shop and they opened it up and saw that the headphones jack was (hope I get it right in english) with two poles while it should have been three. The guy said that the input jack is two poles and probably the 2-pole one was taken from the wrong basket

Posted by: Ajmurrell Jan 16 2009, 02:10 AM

Sorry to hear about the head phone jack man, that sort of thing really puts a downer on the first play experience.

Good news is you still really like it! So when the headphone jack is fixed you'll really be in love

I walked past a couple of these when buying a speaker cable, felt gutted I couldn't sit down and give it a go, car was parked illegally.

Enjoy it!

Posted by: inertia Jan 30 2009, 01:02 AM

here's another nice demo, the guys is french but you really get an idea of the tonal range

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou4KTcdsuJc

Hey Mickem can you give us an update on how you're enjoying the amp? I'm think of buying one now, not sure if I'll go combo or stack, what would you say the big differences would be, keeping in mind I don't have any cabs so would by the blackstar one.

Posted by: MickeM Jan 30 2009, 10:58 AM

Thanks for the demo, good one!

I'm enjoying mine very much, it sounds really really good! What I love about it is that you can key in exactly the sound you're looking for. Both vintage and modern. The EQ is responsive and the texture know does a lot to color the sound.

I bought the head only because I had an unused cabinet, otherwise I think the combo would e a good choice too. It's equipped with a 10" speaker, where I'd normaly only go for 12" speaker I belive this one is just right for the HT5. And the combo has a jack for external speakers so you can always plug it into a bigger cab if you like.

So the difference between buying the head and the Blackstab cab compared with buying the combo I'd say it's none soundwise.
if you plan on moving the gear around it's easier with a combo.
Even if you plan to use a 4x12 in the future I'd say it's still no difference since the combo has, like I said before, a jack for an external cab.

And a combo standing ontop of a 4x12 is in a sense cooler than a head

Posted by: inertia Jan 30 2009, 02:00 PM

Good stuff, thanks a lot, combo it is then

Posted by: -Zion- Jan 31 2009, 11:11 PM

guys, guys..

you are giving me GAS!!!

i want one of these now..

Posted by: MickeM Jan 31 2009, 11:31 PM

Cool!


you must have one, you can't resist, buy it buy it buy it now

Posted by: -Zion- Jan 31 2009, 11:39 PM

i have already asked my american gear buddy about it..

doesn't mean i am going to buy it though, but doesn't hurt to ask about it right?? haha

Posted by: MickeM Jan 31 2009, 11:56 PM

Self inflicted GAS !!!

Posted by: Xuestor Feb 1 2009, 05:06 PM

I don't know if this has been answered, but is this thing loud enough to practice together with a drummer?

How heavy is it?

Posted by: MickeM Feb 1 2009, 05:35 PM

Havn't tried that so I don' know. I guess not. At least not with out drummer.

I guess it's around 7-8 kg. Riffs are heavy as led

Posted by: -Zion- Feb 1 2009, 06:59 PM

could we get some killer samples from you??

Posted by: MickeM Feb 1 2009, 07:39 PM

Yes you can ;) as soon as I have the time to make some good recordings I will. Not today

Posted by: helo92 Feb 28 2010, 07:18 AM

Im really considering buying this amp does it have enough gain to produce COB and BLS kind of sounds??

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Feb 28 2010, 10:03 PM

As far as I heard on the forum, and on the web, it doesn't have that much gain, but if you push the amp with some booster or overdrive pedal, you can achieve ton of it. It just depends what degree of dynamics and "tightness" will you get then.