Blackstar HT-5R MkII 5-Watt 1 x 12-inch Tube Combo Amp with Reverb, Bronco Grey
Five watts through a 1 x 12-inch cabinet is the sweet spot for a valve amp you actually get to turn up. The HT-5R has been a Blackstar mainstay for years, and the MkII revoices both channels and pulls features down from the higher-wattage models. This one is finished in Bronco Grey.
- 5 watts, all valve: the quintessential low-watt practice and studio amp.
- Revoiced clean channel: aimed at a modern boutique tone with clarity and note definition.
- Revoiced drive channel: a muscular spread of distorted textures across the whole gain range.
- Two Voice switches: four operating modes in total, covering vintage and modern voicings for each channel.
- Infinite Shape Feature: patented ISF shifts the Bass, Middle and Treble curves from British edge-of-breakup grit to tight American high gain.
- Revoiced reverb: more depth and detail than the previous generation.
- Speaker-emulated output: for recording and silent practice.
- USB output and effects loop: both onboard.
- Finish: Bronco Grey.
At five watts the HT-5R sits where a valve amp can be driven into its own sound in a room you are allowed to play in. It has always been a top seller for Blackstar, and the MkII takes that platform and revoices the channels while borrowing player-friendly features from the higher-wattage amps in the range.
Revoiced channels
When Blackstar started work on the MkII they referenced their own amps and set out to match or beat amplifiers costing several times more. The clean channel came back with a clarity and note definition that is unusual on amps at this level, particularly at five watts. The gain channel holds up right through the range of overdrive rather than only sounding right at one setting. The original HT-5R was already an incredibly popular amp, and the MkII improves on it.
Infinite Shape Feature and four modes
ISF is Blackstar's patented control and it shifts the EQ curves of the Bass, Middle and Treble controls rather than acting as a simple filter. Fully counterclockwise gives an American characteristic with a tight bottom end and aggressive middle. All the way to the right gives a British vibe. Beyond that, a pair of Voice switches opens up four operating modes, giving both vintage and modern voicings for each channel.
The features around the tone
- Revoiced onboard reverb with more depth and detail than before.
- Speaker-emulated output for recording or practising silently.
- USB output for connecting to a computer.
- Effects loop for time-based pedals after the preamp.
Where it fits
The HT-5R MkII is an all-rounder for a practice space or a studio. It delivers premium valve tone whichever of those two rooms it ends up in, and the Bronco Grey covering keeps it from looking like every other black box in the corner.