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Blackstar HT-5R MkII 1x12 inch 5-watt Tube Combo Amp with Reverb

5-watt, 2-channel, All-tube 1x12" Guitar Combo Amplifier with Infinite Shape Feature, 2 Voice Switches, Power Reduction Circuit, Effects Loop, Emulated Output, USB Output, and Reverb
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Blackstar HT-5R MkII 1x12 inch 5-watt Tube Combo Amp with Reverb
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Five Watts of Scorching Tube Tone

The HT-5R has always been a top seller for Blackstar. At five watts, it’s the quintessential low-watt practice amp. And the MkII version ups the ante with revoiced channels and a plethora of player-friendly features borrowed from its higher-watt brethren. The HT-5R MkII’s upgraded clean channel epitomizes the modern boutique tone, while its drive channel serves up a muscular array of distorted textures. And thanks to Blackstar’s patented Infinite Shape Feature, you can dial in everything from inspiring British edge-of-breakup grit to tight and punchy American high gain. You also get an onboard reverb, speaker-emulated output, USB output, effects loop, and more. The HT-5R MkII is an excellent all-rounder for your practice space or studio — it delivers premium tube tone no matter what situation you use it in.

Revoiced channels for top-tier tone

When Blackstar hit the drawing board for their HT-5R MkII, not only did they reference their own amps’ popular tones, but they also wanted to match or beat the tones of electric guitar amplifiers costing up to five times more. Take it from the guitarists at Sweetwater: They nailed it. The clean channel has a clarity and note definition that is rare on amps in the MkII’s price range — especially at five watts. Move over to the gain channel, and you’ll take note of how great the sound is throughout the whole range of overdrive. The original HT-5R was an incredibly popular amp. With the MkII, Blackstar beats it.

Patented Infinite Shape Feature

The Blackstar HT-5R MkII is packed with a massive variety of tube tones by virtue of Blackstar’s Infinite Shape Feature (ISF). This exclusive feature shifts the EQ curves of the amplifier’s Bass, Middle, and Treble controls. When turned fully counterclockwise, you’ll lend an American characteristic to your voice with a tight bottom end and aggressive middle. Turned all the way to the right, you’ll enjoy more of a British vibe. Beyond that, four different operating modes can be accessed via a pair of Voice switches, unleashing both vintage and modern voicings for each channel.

Loaded with player-friendly additions

The tone of the HT-5R MkII is well worth the price of admission. But Blackstar knows what players want. And they loaded this already great-sounding all-tube combo with enough features to ensure that it quickly becomes your go-to amp. The revoiced reverb offers more depth and detail than ever before. Nailing cranked tones at appropriate volume levels is easy thanks to the onboard power reduction circuit. Beyond that, the emulated line-out and USB audio output will make you your sound engineer’s best friend.

Blackstar HT-5R MkII Tube Combo Amp Features:

  • 5-watt all-tube 1 x 12" guitar combo amplifier
  • 2 footswitchable channels with voicing switches deliver tonal flexibility
  • Coax sparkling highs and lucid lows from the boutique-style clean channel
  • Overdrive channel supplies enough gain for blues, classic rock, hard rock, and metal
  • Infinite Shape Feature (ISF) dials in everything from American to British high-gain tones
  • Power reduction circuit takes your wattage down to a bedroom-friendly 0.5 watts
  • Speaker-emulated output with 1 x 12 and 4 x 12 options for recording or running straight to a PA
  • Digital reverb adds dimension to your playing without washing it out
  • Effects loop with Level switch makes integrating your pedalboard and other effects easy
  • USB audio output makes recording easy
  • MP3/line-in for jamming along to your favorite music
  • 2-way footswitch included

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Tube
  • Number of Channels: 2
  • Total Power: 5W (0.5W setting)
  • Speaker Size: 1 x 12"
  • Preamp Tubes: 1 x 12AX7
  • Power Tubes: 1 x 12BH7
  • Reverb: Yes
  • EQ: 3-band EQ, ISF control
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (instrument), 1 x 1/8" (mp3/line)
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4" (16 ohms), 2 x 1/4" (single 8 ohm, 2 x 16 ohm), 1 x XLR (DI out)
  • Effects Loop: Yes
  • USB: 1 x Type B
  • Footswitch I/O: 1 x 1/4" (channel, voice)
  • Footswitch Included: Yes, 2-button Footswitch
  • Bias Type: Cathode Biased
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 16.16"
  • Width: 17.36"
  • Depth: 9.80"
  • Weight: 27.33 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: HT5RMKII

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Optimal Way to Have Tube Tone

The Blackstar HT-5R MkII is an affordable way to get tube tone while having features usually found on more expensive alternatives.

Being as costly as good digital amps like the Katanas & Mustangs, it's more affordable than most other decent tube amps, while having XLR for headphone, PA, & USB outputs, a 3-band EQ, and 2 channels. Yet another feature most others don't have is ISF, an adjustment of tube bias by which one can get a US-type tone, a UK-type tone, or anything in between. (I've found the 2 o'clock setting, which is about 2/3rds UK and 1/3rd US, to be most pleasing to my ear.)

After much research, the HT-5R seemed best for me on paper (genre: rock, use: home) - but then I heard it... The cleans are pristine; but the overdrive channel is unreal. Having used a solid-state amp since starting on guitar, this amplifier is a total aural paradigm shift. The power step-down to .5W makes it perfect for home use, achieving 'the sweet spot' right at the edge of breakup while keeping the volume at a neighborly level.

The XLR for outputs other than speakers makes the experience when I have to use headphones an utter delight. I've spoken with others who likewise were stunned at the quality of that headphone output. While I haven't yet plugged it into a PA or recorded via USB, if the XLR has the same effect on those as it does with the headphone output, potential purchasers may look forward to similar exceptional performance recording & gigging.

As much press as the biggest competitor in its class, the Blues Jr. IV, gets and as justifiably popular as it is, the HT-5R MkII seems superior to it in every way. The Fender may have an edge in clean tone, but the overdrive channel, ISF, XLR, EQ, and other features make the Blackstar objectively more worthwhile while being a couple hundred dollars less expensive. To say it's worth consideration is an understatement.
Music background: Lifelong amateur musician; 9-month guitarist
Rated 5/5

Excellent

Great amp great tone.
See video, please.
Music background: Intermediate 25 years
Rated 5/5

Blackstar HT-5R MkII

Love this amp. Nice sound options, lots of balls for a practice amp.
Rated 5/5

Great Value!

This amp sounds so good that I can't stop playing my guitar. I've been playing for a year, and the only other amp I've used is the Spark and software sims like Amplitube and Bias FX. This amp sounds so much better on both clean and high gain. I spent lots of time tweaking the Spark and software sims, but they just don't sound that great. I don't know the science behind it, but I'm assuming it's the digital conversion and compression that just can't copy the real thing. I highly recommend the Blackstar HT5R MKII to beginners like me. It also has a power attenuator so I can play at low volumes and not annoy everyone with my scales and crappy improv. I got the surf green color, which looks awesome, and my wife thinks it's an attractive decor in our living room. Oh, and I got mine almost half price because of Sweetwater's Price Drop deal!
Rated 5/5

Great value great amp.

The Blackstar HT5R MKii is a great amp. It does crackle and hiss with overdrive channel and gain, but once you start playing you will not hear it. The value is great compared to a Marshall which is about twice as much. This amp delivers very nice tone and can keep up with a small band and gig. I think the ratio of tube to solid state is about 1:15. So, you are getting the equivalent of 70-75 watts of solid state. Really good amp.I am enjoying it.
Music background: Intermediate for 25 years
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