Marshall DSL5c

[oldmtlhed]

I'm hearing this is one of the best little practice amps you can get.
It's all-tube, Celestion speaker, FX loop, and killer gain stages which
sound brutal at lower volume levels. 5w or 1w output switch.

My question is: if you replace the power tube, is it self-biasing?
Or do you have to manually measure and adjust the bias?
It has one 12BH7 ( ECC99 ) power tube.

Are these amps any good?

 

[marcus262]

Hi,

I too was interested in the amp,
but if you ignore the fact that it says "Marshall" on it, I think it is not a good deal.

It is pricey for what it is : 5w probably cathode bias amp (no schematic, so I'm guessing it's cathode biased like SL5).

You would have to invest in a proper speaker because that 10 inch celestion 10-30 is fizzy and does't sound huge. Sounds cheap.
The problem is it is so cramped inside that you have to physically remove pieces of wood to fit 12 inch speaker.

It is pricey as is,
530 euros at thomann, and if you invest in new speaker or buy a cabinet it builds up,
so I think there are better options out there.

Haven't played one, only read and heard.
Best way is to play the amp your self, cause many times I was fooled by reading comments or hearing from youtube.
Especially if the amp is mic'ed because you move the mic and the whole response changes and you can make anything sound good, so I prefer amp in room sound even with iphone camera.

 

[oldmtlhed]

Thanks for the reply.
All good points you made. I agree with what you said, it is kinda pricey for what it is.
It's a small package, no doubt.
I would love to try stuff, but we have only one music store in my town, and they
don't have anything good in there. It's about the size of a gas station convenience store.

 

[napalmdeath]

I'd go with a Blackstar HT-5.

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

Look for a used SL5