NAD: Marshall DSL1HR

v8stang289

v8stang289

New member
I started a thread earlier asking about opinions on low watt tube amps for home use under $500. I ended up coming across a barely used DSL1HR head with a MX112R cab for $350 shipped. I bought it and it came in today. I don't have much experience with tube amps but man this thing is cool. I played with it for a couple hours this evening and I'm really digging the tones so far. I'm glad I didn't go with a bigger amp as the .1 watt setting is plenty loud for my home playing.

The bad news is it made me realize just how much my Epi LP needs a pickup upgrade, I'm thinking SD Custom in the bridge and a 59 in the neck.

My Jackson RR5 with a Super Distortion/Jazz sounds awesome with this amp.

With the RR5 and a cheap Behringer to800 tube screamer clone I can easily gets 80's metal tones.

Thanks again for everyone's input on the other thread. I cant wait to spend some more time with this setup, tweaking and playing. I think it's going to make this hobby more expensive than it already has been.

rr5dsl1.jpg
 

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Re: NAD: Marshall DSL1HR

Excellent acquisition - I've been thinking of picking up this head/cab combination myself.

How are the cleans?
 
Re: NAD: Marshall DSL1HR

stratguy23 said:
Excellent acquisition - I've been thinking of picking up this head/cab combination myself.

How are the cleans?
Click to expand...

They seem good on lower volume but it does start breaking up slightly as you turn it up. I honestly I haven't spent much time on the classic gain channel yet, but I plan to rectify that this weekend.
 
Re: NAD: Marshall DSL1HR

I've been interested too. Can it pull off an old school Metallica thrash tone? Pounding bass?

My worry has been if these have a lack of bottom end.
 
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Re: NAD: Marshall DSL1HR

DonP said:
I've been interested too. Can it pull off an old school Metallica thrash tone? Pounding bass?

My worry has been if these have a lack of bottom end.
Click to expand...

I've been playing it pretty much only on the .1 watt setting, but it has plenty of bottom end IMO. It gets close to old school Metallica on it's own but I think it needs an overdrive to truly get metal tone. I'm using a $20 Behringer TO800 vintage tube overdrive and it's fairly easy to get a Ride The Lightning or Kill Em All sound with my RR5 and Super Distortion.
 
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Re: NAD: Marshall DSL1HR

Just an update. I can't believe what I've been missing all these years. I like my Code for the multitude of different sounds and effects on tap, but I can't believe how cold and sterile it sounds after playing the DSL. The sound from tube amp is just so much more warm and organic sounding. A week ago I wouldn't have believed the difference.

I'm really loving this amp. On the classic gain the cleans are clear and beautiful until they start to break up around 12 o'clock (depending on the pickup). The ultra gain covers a wide range and only needs a little boost to tighten it up for Metal tones. This was definitely some of the best money I've spent on this hobby.

I don't have much experience with Tube amps but I really love the DSL1 so far.
 
Re: NAD: Marshall DSL1HR

I've really been considering one of these. The only thing holding me back at the moment is my lack of a 16ohm cab.
 
Re: NAD: Marshall DSL1HR

Just wanted to update this since I've spent a little over a month with the amp now. I still love it, I've probably only turned the Code on 3-4 times since I got the DSL.

I've been on the .1 watt setting 90% of the time, only turning it to 1 watt when the wife/kids aren't home. I think I made the right choice for my needs. The only bad thing I have to say is this amp is costing me a lot of money.....in pedals/pickups. I first picked up a TS-9dx to help push the gain for metal tone, then chorus, compressor, analog, and digital delay pedals soon followed. It's like an addiction lol.

Also, I threw a set of Duncan Designed HB-103's in the Epi LP. It sounds better now, but the RR5 still slays it. I'm thinking an SD 59 neck and Custom bridge in the near future will get the LP where I want it.

Overall, this has been a fun amp to experiment with and In my opinion sounds pretty good. I would absolutely buy it again. I think in a band setting you'd definitely need something louder but for messing around at home it's just right. My experience with tube amps is obviously limited, but I like this one a lot.
 
Re: NAD: Marshall DSL1HR

The DSLs are a great series of amps. This, from someone who owns a JVM. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.

Custom/‘59 set sounds about right for a hard-rockin’ LP.

Yeah, this hobby can seem like a bottomless pit at times. No one plays electric guitar to save money.
 
Re: NAD: Marshall DSL1HR

Congrats on the new dsl. I just made a trade deal 2 weeks ago, and came home with the biggest brother to yours, the dsl100h,. Made another trade deal for a Peavey vk412 cab (not the best but it will work for now, and has the added benefit of working with my Peavey XXX combo) All I can say for my first Marshall is... WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG! lol this thing (like yours) is very versatile, and freaking kills. With this and my xxx, i am finally all set on amps...(at least until next time..lol)
 
Re: NAD: Marshall DSL1HR

v8stang289 said:
Just wanted to update this since I've spent a little over a month with the amp now. I still love it, I've probably only turned the Code on 3-4 times since I got the DSL.

I've been on the .1 watt setting 90% of the time, only turning it to 1 watt when the wife/kids aren't home. I think I made the right choice for my needs. The only bad thing I have to say is this amp is costing me a lot of money.....in pedals/pickups. I first picked up a TS-9dx to help push the gain for metal tone, then chorus, compressor, analog, and digital delay pedals soon followed. It's like an addiction lol.

Also, I threw a set of Duncan Designed HB-103's in the Epi LP. It sounds better now, but the RR5 still slays it. I'm thinking an SD 59 neck and Custom bridge in the near future will get the LP where I want it.

Overall, this has been a fun amp to experiment with and In my opinion sounds pretty good. I would absolutely buy it again. I think in a band setting you'd definitely need something louder but for messing around at home it's just right. My experience with tube amps is obviously limited, but I like this one a lot.
Click to expand...

I have been running a newly acquired mxr 78 dist. through mine -at low settings on the pedal- its almost like another gain stage or channel with very little coloration.. very impressed. Hell, it makes my dd hb103 (a5 mag swapped) squire 2 freakin roar through it..
 
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