NAD! Total impulse buy.

[Diego]

Since I tried both the Orange Micro Terror / Micro Dark and wasn't impressed over a longer test of their sound (sorry, Orange groupies) I decided to try alternatives elsewhere.
I wanted a tiny head to power my leftover 1x12 open back cab, loaded with a Emi Wizard, and effectively have two rigs at my disposal.

Went to a store, tried a Blackstar ID Core Stereo 40H for about 10 minutes through a Blackstar 4x12 and decided that was it.
Bought it, brought it home and to my surprise, things aren't as good.
Haven't used the 1x12 yet but I'm trying it side by side through my 2x12.

I think this Blackstar head was made with flatter response speakers in mind, like the 70/80 speakers that the Blackstar cab I tried at the store has.
Through my V30/K100 loaded 2x12, it's midrangey as **** and a bit shy in the high-end, like it needs some extra "good" fizz.
I just can't sculpt or shape the mids all that much with the ISF knob. Maybe my ears need a bit of adjustment? After all, mids it's where its at.
But I'll wait for further judgement until trying the 1x12 as well. Cleans are very very good as it is, though.

With that said, the onboard FX are very good (4 types of reverb, delay and modulations) it's footswitchable (don't have the pedal unit yet), it can power two cabs and it fits in my backpack. So I think I'm willing to compromise here.

 

[JeffB]

Re: NAD! Total impulse buy.

I did not care for the big ID TVP amps at all through "normal" guitar speakers. Most definitely sound best through the speakers/cabs they are matched with.

I'd imagine my little core 10 would be the same.

Marketing hype aside, ID series are modelling amps. But they are fun to mess about with.

 

[Diego]

Re: NAD! Total impulse buy.

Yeah. Also the price is totally ridiculous.

Apparently, the EQ is controllable alongside the ISF (regular BMT controls) through a software that I can't get to connect with my amp through Windows 10. We'll see about that.
If so, I'd dial the mids back a notch, add some hair to the top-end and I'd be happy.

Frankly, I wasn't looking for a tonal monster here. Just some portable simplicity for fun and small jams someday.
The onboard Tremolo on this thing is freaking cool, it has a bit of vibrato thrown in so there's more of a Univibe feel to it.
These FX are miles ahead than what my Cube 60 had.

 

[EAProwlerB]

Re: NAD! Total impulse buy.

I have the combo and even though the speakers are only 6.5 Blackstar engineered them to sound large and provide way cool stereo seperation. Great amp congrats and enjoy.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: NAD! Total impulse buy.

Today is a good day for new amps Diego .
IMO the celestion 70/80 are horrible speakers so your set up should be fine. Tried using an EQ pedal yet?

 

[Diego]

Re: NAD! Total impulse buy.

Today is a good day for new amps Diego .
IMO the celestion 70/80 are horrible speakers so your set up should be fine. Tried using an EQ pedal yet?

I don't think it would do much in front of the amp, instead of the loop that this amp doesn't have.
But I do have a GE7 around.

 

[Demanic]

Re: NAD! Total impulse buy.

The thing about 70/80's that is disliked by some is probably exactly what makes them sound good with the Blackstar.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[Diego]

Re: NAD! Total impulse buy.

I'm out of town now but I'll test the 1x12 this Friday and I think I'll like it better.
That cab has a nicer top end and it's less mid heavy than my 2x12.

I'll report again and if I don't like it, it's going back.

 

[Diego]

Re: NAD! Total impulse buy.

Came back to my place a bit earlier than expected. Tested it again through my 2x12, this time with my SSS Strat.

This thing ****ing slays, man. It might be a Metal oriented amp but the breakup tones in the clean channels are crazy good for a modeling amp.
Never tried a digital amp that could breakup, compress and clean up this well with the guitar controls and right hand strength.
I'm really, really surprised. For a bluesy rock tone it's surprisingly good. And it takes my overdrive pedals (pedal, actually) like a champ.

Also it gets quite loud, nowhere near my Tweaker but it could keep up with a well-mannered drummer.

I'm too lazy to take out the 1x12 out of it's corner so I'll try it during the weekend, but I'm sold already.
This amp is NOT going back to the shop.

 

[DankStar]

Re: NAD! Total impulse buy.

What does the "core" signify - metalcore?

 

[Diego]

Re: NAD! Total impulse buy.

What does the "core" signify - metalcore?

No clue. It just seems to be the brand name of their entry level modeling amps.
At least visually, the campaign on their website isn't really focused on that "core" crowd like other brands (Schecter, I'm looking at you...)

Whatever it is, it sounds good. I still like it a lot, sadly the Insider software is useless in Windows 10 so I'm lacking some features.
But it's still a nice plug n play amp, and the footswitch really opens it up.