Blackstar HT-5 modification ideas

[Funkfingers]

I recently acquired a pre-owned mk1 Blackstar HT-5H/HT-110 mini stack amplifier. My experiments with alternative valves and loudspeaker cabinets confirmed the Interweb consensus that there is room for improvement in both departments.

I quickly settled on a mid Seventies Mullard ECC83 that I had salvaged from somebody's unwanted radiogram. (Remember those?) Second favourite was a GE 7025.

I am still undecided about the output stage valve. How critical is this, considering how many ICs are used in the amplifier design? Can the pin base be adapted to accept other valve types?

The HT-110 cabinet leaves much to be desired. Its MIC Celestion G10N-40 is appalling. The Blackstar Blackbird 12" in more recent models is little better. The particleboard cabinet construction leaves me wondering whether a loudspeaker upgrade would be a waste of money.

Since buying the amp, I have been mostly running it through a MESA/Boogie Compact Thiele 1x12 cab with an EVM-12L driver. This leads me to conclude that the Blackstar head deserves a serious 'speaker in a properly constructed enclosure.

I cannot decide whether it is wiser to upgrade the HT cab with a new baffle or just to sell it and get a better cabinet?

Any thoughts or experience with this amplifier would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 modification ideas

I'm a fan of most good low wattage tube amps. But you've always got to know that cabinetry and speakers have to be the equal of high end heads, not the junk cabs they supply with those low dollar amps.

Once you do that, you get to hear those amps doing what they do with the benefit of running through proper speakers.

I've got a great collection of amps, and I forsee myself owning a lot of good lunchbox heads. But I'll never buy the cabs. These heads deserve to be run into V30's, H30's, creambacks, Eminence's best, and high dollar alnico speakers. Once you hear them like that, you really appreciate what they are.

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 modification ideas

I've always thought the Celestion G10N-40 was one of the better 10" speakers for a small cab or combo. Ever since I tried it I've been surprised how favourably it compares to a 1x12 with much more highly-rated speakers like the Greenback or Eminence Cannabis Rex.

At home/recording volumes anyway - obviously it's not going to have the same oomph as a closed back 4x12.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 modification ideas

On the subject of the Celestion G10N-40, an internet trawl produced this article. http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb12/articles/speakers.htm Plenty to ponder. :scratchch

Sound clips here. http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb12/articles/speakersmedia.htm

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 modification ideas

Done a few more experiments, connecting Blackstar head to enclosures loaded with American loudspeakers. Elected to purchase Eminence 1058 Legend for Blackstar HT-110 cabinet.

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 modification ideas

Done a few more experiments, connecting Blackstar head to enclosures loaded with American loudspeakers. Elected to purchase Eminence 1058 Legend for Blackstar HT-110 cabinet.

I'd definitely be interested to hear your opinion of how that turns out - I was thinking of getting one of these myself at some point. An Alnico magnet speaker that doesn't cost a fortune seems like it would be worth trying...

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 modification ideas

I've just swapped the 12AX7 with a gold pin Tung Sol reissue and the sound difference was amazing. Pretty much like the worn out term of lifting a rug off the speaker. I play through a Vintage 30 loaded 1x12" cab (actually my old Kustom KGA 65 combo), and the tone is brilliant.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 modification ideas

I'd definitely be interested to hear your opinion of how that turns out - I was thinking of getting one of these myself at some point. An Alnico magnet speaker that doesn't cost a fortune seems like it would be worth trying...

The Eminence is not alnico... http://www.eminence.com/pdf/Legend_1058.pdf ...but it sounds very much as I would have wished. It has the tone and dynamic response that I like from my Fenders. Patch in a reverb pedal and the big amp illusion is complete.

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 modification ideas

Oh, for some reason I was confusing it with the 1028k. :doh:

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 modification ideas

No worries.

The Legend 1028 would have been on my shortlist but for the fact that it was only available to me in 4 or 8 Ohm. (Same goes for the 1030 model that is stock in my Fender Hot Rod Deville.)