Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

[Red_Label]

Alright... all of these threads about low wattage tube amps lately has me jonesing for one again. I do most of my playing at night and the 80 watt Bogner and 50 and 100 watt Traynors are just too loud at that time of the day.

I've been thinking about the Egnaor Tweaker, but don't have one that I can try-out locally (or the Blackstar either). Plus, I'm thinking that I don't really NEED a 20 watt head (because of my 50,80, and 100 watt heads) and that a 5 watt head (with master volume) would be exactly what the doctor ordered. I had a Marshall Class 5 but it just didn't cut it for me because it was WAY too loud (no master volume) when trying to get it in the sweet spot (and I hated the lack of EQ options).

So anyone own or tried the Backstar HT-5? How would you compare it to the Tweaker in terms of options, sounds, etc? Thanks.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

What about a Vox Night Train?

15 watts and has ability to go to 7.5 watts

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

What about a Vox Night Train?

15 watts and has ability to go to 7.5 watts

I have been thinking about one of those too, but they run a little more $$$.

I'd like something that does the hot-rodded Marshall thing well. (My Traynors and Bogner do.). Because that's my sound.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

Hmm... I am seeing some pretty good deals on the Vox now. My local stealer has one for $700. Maybe I should try his out and then buy from somewhere else if I want it. ;-)

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

The Vox won't do hotrodded Marshall stuff, but the HT-5 does.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

The Vox won't do hotrodded Marshall stuff, but the HT-5 does.

That's what I was thinking. Thanks.

 

[Reload in 5]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

Hotrod marshall? Master volume? Cheap?
Jet city jca2112rc combo. Fits all of these. And can be had for $255 this weekend from Guitar Center.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

Hotrod marshall? Master volume? Cheap?
Jet city jca2112rc combo. Fits all of these. And can be had for $255 this weekend from Guitar Center.

Yeah, I had been starting to think about that too. Wish I had a GC near here so I could try them all out.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

I've played both the Tweaker and HT-5, and I'd take the HT-5 hands-down every single time.

It's extremely impressive how "big amp" that little thing feels.

It's the only low-wattage amp I've played that actually felt like a big 100 watt half stack.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

Clippage of my HT-5...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwh9Ncscvzg

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

I've played both the Tweaker and HT-5, and I'd take the HT-5 hands-down every single time.

It's extremely impressive how "big amp" that little thing feels.

It's the only low-wattage amp I've played that actually felt like a big 100 watt half stack.

Yeah, based on the YouTube clips I'm seeing/hearing I'm starting to think so. Very nice!

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

Clippage of my HT-5...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwh9Ncscvzg

Very cool. Thanks! I think I'm leaning this way as it stands now...

 

[JeffB]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

Different strokes- I found both the HT5 combo and stack pretty lackluster (and based on clips I was really excited to try one, and was close to buying sight-unseen). Maybe through a nice cab they sound better, but I found it sounds just like a 12ax7 pre-amp distortion pedal into a SS amp in person- thin and a bit fake sounding.

On the other hand, I really liked the Jet City 20W head. Not a sound I'd want, but a good sound nonetheless.

try before you buy.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

Different strokes- I found both the HT5 combo and stack pretty lackluster (and based on clips I was really excited to try one, and was close to buying sight-unseen). Maybe through a nice cab they sound better, but I found it sounds just like a 12ax7 pre-amp distortion pedal into a SS amp in person- thin and a bit fake sounding.

On the other hand, I really liked the Jet City 20W head. Not a sound I'd want, but a good sound nonetheless.

try before you buy.

Hmmm... I was afraid you'd say that. Not much I can try up here. Right now the only thing in low wattage I've got around here is the Vox.

I have been spoiled by my Bogner, so I wouldn't wanna "slum" it too much tone-wise. Decisions, decisions...

 

[Reload in 5]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

Different strokes- I found both the HT5 combo and stack pretty lackluster (and based on clips I was really excited to try one, and was close to buying sight-unseen). Maybe through a nice cab they sound better, but I found it sounds just like a 12ax7 pre-amp distortion pedal into a SS amp in person- thin and a bit fake sounding.

On the other hand, I really liked the Jet City 20W head. Not a sound I'd want, but a good sound nonetheless.

try before you buy.

I played the full stack and thought it just sounded, ehh....so so.
And the jet city was the sound I wanted.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

I played the full stack and thought it just sounded, ehh....so so.
And the jet city was the sound I wanted.

The JCA20H is still on my radar as well. It's so hard to really get an idea of the bigness of the sound and the dynamics of the tone listening to lo-fi YouTube clips... :scratchch

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

The JCA20H is still on my radar as well. It's so hard to really get an idea of the bigness of the sound and the dynamics of the tone listening to lo-fi YouTube clips... :scratchch

I have them both, and I wrote a review of the two a few days ago... Maybe this will shed some light. Maybe not.

 

[greatbob6]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

I have a HT-5 and overall I really enjoy it. The only problem I've had is that I wish it had a bit more high end clarity...putting an EQ in the loop has definitely helped that though. I tried checking out the Tweaker at a local GC a few weeks ago but it was very busy and loud at the time so I didn't really get a good feel for it. It seems like overall the Tweaker would be a much more versatile amp, if it works as advertised.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

I have them both, and I wrote a review of the two a few days ago... Maybe this will shed some light. Maybe not.

Interesting. You've given me much food for thought. Thanks!

 

[Animal]

Re: Blackstar HT-5 or Egnater Tweaker?

If volume is your main issue then you're probably way better off with a HT-5. I keep hearing how a lot of small tube amps like the miniature Egnaters are still too loud for home use. No too much point in having something that will be a bit quieter than your big amps unless of course that is you're going for a different tone.

Being a hybrid design (solid-state pre-amp with 12ax7 tube and 12BH7 tube for power) the HT-5 does not require much volume to get its sound. Blackstar went out to make an amp that compresses like a roaring tube stack in a small apartment friendly package and they actually did it very well. Not as harmonically rich or open as other small "full" tube amps but I think it's much more useful. Keep in mind though that it does more of a modern sound.