Review of the Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo amplifier. Where to buy it?

I’ll tell you how this post is built. First I list the features of the Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo amplifier. Then you have a video or two, purchase links and useful comments from other users and then you have one of the most useful parts; comparison tables with similar amplifiers so you can compare.

  • 2 Channels
  • Power: 1 W
  • Equipped with: 8″ Speaker
  • ECC83 preamp tube & ECC82 power tube
  • Push-Pull power amp design
  • Switchable Voices for Clean and Overdrive
  • Reverb in studio quality
  • USB Audio Out
  • 4-16 Ohm Extension Speaker Out

review blackstar-ht-1r-mkii-combo

This amplifier usually has a price around 249.00 €

Now that we’ve seen the features of this amplifier Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo watch these related videos to learn more.

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Some comments from people who come to the forum about this model:

Comment:

Perfect choice for apartment or small space setting where volume is an issue; an 8 inch speaker has no business sounding as good as this does on the low-end; Don’t let the 1W put you off, this amp can really drive, so would be great as a practice amp too. The ISF control, Reverb and USB interface makes it a great all-round offer. I mostly play with headphones due to volume constraints and even then it sounds great.

If I had one criticism, it takes far too long for amp to kick-in once powered on, might be an issue with tubes or quality control, either way, it’s somewhat of an annoyance and would rate it 4.5/5 if I could, but will give it the benefit of the doubt here.

Besides that, the amp is excellent in almost every category. A space-saver, with remarkably great tones at lower volumes and a beautiful second voicing on the clean channel that really goes well with single-coils.

At c. €300, tube amps have a reputation of being a bit dicey and some would not recommend a tube amp, but this is a great amp for those wanting quality tube tones at a lower price point.

Comment:

This is my first tube amp and I use it for bedroom practice.

The controls are quite simple, there are no traditional eq. knobs but only the ISF feature, however it is possible to get really nice tones at a reasonable volume. (it can actually get pretty loud considering its size, especially on the overdrive channel)

Compared to my previous modelling amp (Roland micro cube), the sound is much more natural, the characteristics of the guitar are more present and the feedback with volume knob, hardness of picking etc. is much better.

Overall it’s great as a simple plug&play amp with a decent sound. It would have been perfect if it had the equalizer knobs and the fx loop just like its bigger brother HT5

Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo vs Boss Katana 50 MKII

The amplifier Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo is usually 40 € more expensive than Boss Katana 50 MKII, but the difference is so small that this can vary..

Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo

Boss Katana 50 MKII
  • 2 Channels
  • Power: 1 W
  • Equipped with: 8″ Speaker
  • ECC83 preamp tube & ECC82 power tube
  • Push-Pull power amp design
  • Switchable Voices for Clean and Overdrive
  • Reverb in studio quality
  • USB Audio Out
  • 4-16 Ohm Extension Speaker Out
  • Power: 50 W.
  • Equipped with: 12″ Custom speakers
  • 5 Amplifier types: Clean, Crunch, Lead, Brown & Acoustic
  • 5 Independent effects: Booster, Mod, FX, Delay and Reverb – 3 of them can be used simultaneously
  • 2 Memory locations for amplifiers and effects settings plus panel setting
  • Power amp input for the use of multi-effects devices
  • Power Control (0.5 / 25/50 watts) for full amp sound at any volume
  • Controls: Amp Type, Gain, Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble, Booster / Mod, Delay / FX, Reverb, Master & Power Control, Sounds
  • Updated Boss Tone Studio sound customization software with over 60 different Boss effects, channel and global EQs, customisable routing and more (free on Bosstonecentral.com)
  • Connection option for up to two foot switches
  • Dimensions (W x D x H): 470 x 238 x 398 mm
  • Weight: 11.6 kg
  • Matching footswitch FS-6: Art.173531 (not included)
  • Matching expression pedal: Art.102890 (not included)

And then a video of the amplifier Boss Katana 50 MKII

THE HYPE IS REAL 🎸 Boss Katana 50 MKII In-Depth Review & Demonstration

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Boss Katana 50 MKII review

Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo vs Fender Champion 100

The amplifier Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo is usually 6 € cheaper than Fender Champion 100, but the difference is so small that this can vary..

Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo

Fender Champion 100
  • 2 Channels
  • Power: 1 W
  • Equipped with: 8″ Speaker
  • ECC83 preamp tube & ECC82 power tube
  • Push-Pull power amp design
  • Switchable Voices for Clean and Overdrive
  • Reverb in studio quality
  • USB Audio Out
  • 4-16 Ohm Extension Speaker Out
  • 2 Channels
  • Ouput power: 100 Watt
  • Equipped with 2x 12″ Special Design speakers
  • Controls for Channel 1: Volume; Channel 2: Gain, Volume, Voice, Treble, Bass, FX Level, FX Select, TAP
  • Effects: Reverb, Delay/Echo, Chorus, Tremolo, Vibratone
  • Aux in and headphones output: 3.5 mm mini stereo jack
  • Effekt Loop: Preamp Out, Power Amp In
  • Dimensions (HxWxD): 485 x 660 x 260 mm
  • Weight: 18 kg
  • Design: black bronco vinyl with silver front grill
  • Incl. foot switch

And then a video of the amplifier Fender Champion 100

Fender Champion 100 Amplifier Re-Review - Is it Still a Good Amplifier?

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Fender Champion 100 review

Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo vs Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion

The amplifier Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo is usually 50 € more expensive than Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion.

Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo

Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion
  • 2 Channels
  • Power: 1 W
  • Equipped with: 8″ Speaker
  • ECC83 preamp tube & ECC82 power tube
  • Push-Pull power amp design
  • Switchable Voices for Clean and Overdrive
  • Reverb in studio quality
  • USB Audio Out
  • 4-16 Ohm Extension Speaker Out
  • 1 Channel
  • Power: Switchable 15 W / 1 W
  • Preamp tubes: 3x ECC83 / 12AX7
  • Power amp tubes: 2x EL84
  • Equipped with: 12″ Celestion Seventy speakers
  • Controls: Gain, Volume, Tone, Bass, Middle, Treble, Reverb
  • Switch: Power attenuator 15 W / 1 W
  • Effects: Reverb
  • Instrument input: 6.3 mm jack
  • Send / Return effect: 6.3 mm jack
  • Foot switch connector: 6.3 mm jack
  • 6.3 mm jack speaker output: 8 – 16 Ohms (if an external speaker is connected, the internal one is deactivated)
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 427 x 435 x 235 mm
  • Weight: 11.5 kg

And then a video of the amplifier Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion

Are they any good? - HARLEY BENTON TUBE 15 REVIEW

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Harley Benton TUBE15 Celestion review

Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo vs Bugera V22 Infinium

The amplifier Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo is usually 30 € cheaper than Bugera V22 Infinium, but the difference is so small that this can vary..

Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo

Bugera V22 Infinium
  • 2 Channels
  • Power: 1 W
  • Equipped with: 8″ Speaker
  • ECC83 preamp tube & ECC82 power tube
  • Push-Pull power amp design
  • Switchable Voices for Clean and Overdrive
  • Reverb in studio quality
  • USB Audio Out
  • 4-16 Ohm Extension Speaker Out
  • 2 Channels
  • Power: 22 W
  • 3x 12AX7 Preamp tubes
  • 2x EL 84 power amplifier tubes
  • Equipped with a 1x 12″ Turbosound speaker
  • 2 Inputs: “Normal” and “Bright”
  • 1 Clean control
  • 1 Gain control
  • 1 Volume control
  • 3-Band EQ
  • 1 Master control
  • 1 Presence control
  • Built-in digital reverb
  • Switchable between triode and pentode
  • Impedance switchable between 4, 8 and 16 ohms
  • 2 External speaker outputs
  • Input for foot switch
  • Effects loop
  • Weight: 19.4 kg
  • Incl. 2-way foot switch (FSB102A)
  • Suitable optional case: Art.283116 (not included)

And then a video of the amplifier Bugera V22 Infinium

Bugera V22 Infinium (Real BARGAIN Tube Amp?)

If you want to know more about this option, click on the following link to see the Bugera V22 Infinium review

Where to buy this amplifier Blackstar HT-1R MkII Combo

Thomann

  • Free Shipping.
  • Full warranty. If you have any problems, they take care of everything.
  • 100% reliable payment.
  • Leader in trouble-free shipping.
  • Usually Best price.
  • Best Reputation: They are the leading online store in Europe and have the best catalogue and information.

Amazon

  • Free Shipping and possibility of shipping in one day with Amazon Premium.
  • Full Guarantee but they are no experts in music equipment.
  • Sometimes better price.
  • He’s got worse stock than Thomann.

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Jaime Echagüe

Hi! I'm Jaime Echagüe, a musician and an authentic fan of musical instruments. With this blog I want to give general information about musical instruments in an easy, direct and honest way. I hope you enjoy my website and that you find it very useful.

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