NAD: Blackstar HT1R MKII

[jstarr]

Just took delivery of the new Blackstar HT1R MKII combo. I a few words, I'm very impressed. I previously owned HT1 and HT5 combos and found them to be somewhat lackluster. Blackstar really stepped up their game on the MKII series. Some great natural tube overdrive on the clean channel with the gain past 1 o'clock. High gain channel tones are greatly approved. Two voices per channel offer some very usable tonal options. Despite the small cab and 8" speaker, it really doesn't sound boxy. Reverb is quite subtle, even on higher settings... which isn't a bad thing. It never becomes too "washy" sounding. And for 1 watt... she gets pretty damn loud.

All in all, I would highly recommend as a great little bedroom amp with enough juice for light rehearsal use.

Any questions, feel free to ask. Cheers!

 

[Case24]

Congratulation and happy NAD!

 

[tzd]

Of the two voices, is one of them the same as MK-I, and is the other more of a Fendery voice?

 

[Seven]

Congrats bro!

 

[jstarr]

Of the two voices, is one of them the same as MK-I, and is the other more of a Fendery voice?

Yes, it’s called “American Clean” and it’s a bit of a Fender tone circuit. These sound nothing like the MK1 in my opinion. Those were pretty solid amps for the money... I’d say that the MKII is a great amp for the money. Scored mine new in the box for $249.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Right on, J. Happy NAD, it looks like a fun one.

You must be one happy dude, you have a lot of these days. I picture your household like this:

 

[jstarr]

Right on, J. Happy NAD, it looks like a fun one.

You must be one happy dude, you have a lot of these days. I picture your household like this:

Thanks! I'm actually trying to cut back. LOL.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Thanks! I'm actually trying to cut back. LOL.

Sorry to hear that! But, it'll do wonders for MY envy.

 

[cherrysunburst00]

NICE. CONGRATS. I rather liked the HT-1R, so if this is an improvement, I'll bet it rawks

 

[tzd]

A tip to those who need a lower volume than what the HT-1R can offer. Plug the emulated out of the HT-1R into a good speaker, like those you would use for a modeler (I use the QSC K8, for example, with volume set at the second notch). You can really crank the amp and get ridiculously low volume this way.

 

[moreles]

I like all the HT1s, and think Blackstar did a great job designing and voicing these amps for the environment in which they will be used. I much prefer mine to any unmodded Champ.

 

[efstop]

I have an HT-1R Mk I and I surprised myself by getting Neil Young tones out of it with a '13 Tribute w/Mini humbuckers.

 

[sonar]

The MKI is simply a lot of fun with a humbucker Les Paul and surprisingly good with A Tele, which I didn’t expect. I would assume the MKII to bump up the fun level even more.

My heart is with old Fender and Marshall amps, yet the HT1R still makes me smile.

 

[jstarr]

Unfortunately, the wife isn’t haven’t it. Even at 1 watt. LOL. I haven’t used an actual amp for at home practice in a couple of years (just Bias Amp & FX through my interface). Only took one day for her to give me “that look.” Bummer, because I upgraded it with a brand new Celestion Eight 15 and it sounds killer. Now available in the classified section for a killer price. Happy wife...

 

[Scozz]

Ok that’s a pretty fast turnover!

I just got to this party this morning and I was getting ready to send my congrats @jstarr823,...and I thought, let me read a few more posts!

And ‘Bam’,......you got it listed! That’s got to be some kinda record!

I guess I’m spoiled, my wife doesn’t say boo when I crank up my Marshall JCM800 SC!!

(But then she’s at work and I’m retired )

 

[djirvin1014]

Haha, great stuff... I've got the HT1R, and plugged into an 8 ohm 1 x 12 sealed cab is loud enough to bring the cops haha. I just let em knock, haha CAN'T HEAR YOU! yeah...