Orange DT30H Dual Terror 2-Channel 30-Watt Guitar Amp Head
from Premier Guitar review:
Back in the mid-2000s, Marshall R&D employees Ian Robinson and Bruce Keir founded Blackstar Amplification as a vehicle for their own design notions. Since then, the company has enjoyed an admirable run of success. Thanks to a line that ranges from the HT stompbox series to Artisan series handwired amps and the thunderous Series One amps, Blackstar quickly found fans among everyday guitarists and marquee players like Ozzy Osbourne axeman Gus G., Neal Schon, and such Britpop and New Wave stalwarts as Echo and the Bunnymen’s Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, and Paul Weller sidekick Steve Craddock.
Though the company’s highest-profile amps to date have primarily been mid- to high-power amps with a distinctly British flavor, Blackstar has more recently ventured into small-amp territory to give low-watt-loving studio artists and bedroom players access to Blackstar tones. The HT-5R combo is among the newest of these smaller offerings. Featuring a very cool stereo digital reverb, the amp uses a single ECC83 tube to produce 5 watts of output power.
Compact But Capable
The HT-5R’s main controls are mounted on the top panel. Its two channels, which are selectable via the footswitch or the overdrive switch on the control panel, give you the ability to conjure everything from snappy cleans to churning growls. The Clean channel has just one Tone knob that gives you everything from mellow warm tones to a brighter sparkle when cranked in the clockwise direction.
The Overdrive channel has a Gain and Volume knob. The latter acts as a master volume, adjusting the overall output of the amplifier. The Gain knob increases the crunch of the overdrive, which is capable of everything from near-breakup to a wild, hairy distortion. The Overdrive channel has an expanded EQ with Bass, Middle, and Treble knobs. There’s also Blackstar’s signature ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) control, which is also found on select HT pedals and on most Blackstar amps. ISF lets you blend characteristics typical of American and English amplifiers. A counterclockwise turn emphasizes American-flavored rock tones—bass-heavy with exaggerated mids. A clockwise turn summons a more Brit-hued jangle. The reverb, meanwhile, ranges from the subtlest color to dramatic washes.
The rear panel of the HT-5R is home to some unexpected surprises. Aside from an Effects Loop, Blackstar includes a Cabinet Select feature, which can toggle between the 12" Blackbird 50 speaker in the amp’s open-back cabinet, or an emulation of a 4x12 closed-back cabinet. Engaging the 4x12 gives a tighter response to the output, which does sound remarkably close to the character of a larger cabinet, albeit on a much smaller scale.
You’ll also find a 1/4" MP3/Line Input that allows you to hook up a portable audio device (CD player, iPod, etc.) to jam along with. The Emulated Output & Headphone jack is another blessing for bedroom enthusiasts. This output will give you the sonic qualities of a guitar cabinet at noiseless levels—perfect for recording or practice without rousing the neighbors.
With its handsome black vinyl and chrome knobs, the Blackstar HT-5R will be comfortable at both black-tie events and roadhouse saloons. Weighing in at 27 pounds and burnished with some hefty corner brackets, this little beast looks and feels rugged. But the sturdiness is more than skin deep—the ECC83 and 12BH7 tubes, as well as the rear panel controls, are all well recessed and secure from jostling onstage or in transit. You get the feeling that a lot of experienced players had a hand in designing this amp.
Features:
USED
$499
Back in the mid-2000s, Marshall R&D employees Ian Robinson and Bruce Keir founded Blackstar Amplification as a vehicle for their own design notions. Since then, the company has enjoyed an admirable run of success. Thanks to a line that ranges from the HT stompbox series to Artisan series handwired amps and the thunderous Series One amps, Blackstar quickly found fans among everyday guitarists and marquee players like Ozzy Osbourne axeman Gus G., Neal Schon, and such Britpop and New Wave stalwarts as Echo and the Bunnymen’s Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, and Paul Weller sidekick Steve Craddock.
Though the company’s highest-profile amps to date have primarily been mid- to high-power amps with a distinctly British flavor, Blackstar has more recently ventured into small-amp territory to give low-watt-loving studio artists and bedroom players access to Blackstar tones. The HT-5R combo is among the newest of these smaller offerings. Featuring a very cool stereo digital reverb, the amp uses a single ECC83 tube to produce 5 watts of output power.
Compact But Capable
The HT-5R’s main controls are mounted on the top panel. Its two channels, which are selectable via the footswitch or the overdrive switch on the control panel, give you the ability to conjure everything from snappy cleans to churning growls. The Clean channel has just one Tone knob that gives you everything from mellow warm tones to a brighter sparkle when cranked in the clockwise direction.
The Overdrive channel has a Gain and Volume knob. The latter acts as a master volume, adjusting the overall output of the amplifier. The Gain knob increases the crunch of the overdrive, which is capable of everything from near-breakup to a wild, hairy distortion. The Overdrive channel has an expanded EQ with Bass, Middle, and Treble knobs. There’s also Blackstar’s signature ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) control, which is also found on select HT pedals and on most Blackstar amps. ISF lets you blend characteristics typical of American and English amplifiers. A counterclockwise turn emphasizes American-flavored rock tones—bass-heavy with exaggerated mids. A clockwise turn summons a more Brit-hued jangle. The reverb, meanwhile, ranges from the subtlest color to dramatic washes.
The rear panel of the HT-5R is home to some unexpected surprises. Aside from an Effects Loop, Blackstar includes a Cabinet Select feature, which can toggle between the 12" Blackbird 50 speaker in the amp’s open-back cabinet, or an emulation of a 4x12 closed-back cabinet. Engaging the 4x12 gives a tighter response to the output, which does sound remarkably close to the character of a larger cabinet, albeit on a much smaller scale.
You’ll also find a 1/4" MP3/Line Input that allows you to hook up a portable audio device (CD player, iPod, etc.) to jam along with. The Emulated Output & Headphone jack is another blessing for bedroom enthusiasts. This output will give you the sonic qualities of a guitar cabinet at noiseless levels—perfect for recording or practice without rousing the neighbors.
With its handsome black vinyl and chrome knobs, the Blackstar HT-5R will be comfortable at both black-tie events and roadhouse saloons. Weighing in at 27 pounds and burnished with some hefty corner brackets, this little beast looks and feels rugged. But the sturdiness is more than skin deep—the ECC83 and 12BH7 tubes, as well as the rear panel controls, are all well recessed and secure from jostling onstage or in transit. You get the feeling that a lot of experienced players had a hand in designing this amp.
Features:
- 5 watt combo
- ECC83 preamp valve, 12BH7 power amp valve
- Unique push-pull power amp design
- 2 channels
- Footswitchable voices for Clean and Overdrive
- Newly voiced studio quality Reverb
- 1×12 Blackstar designed speaker
USED
$499