Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $209
Budget/Beginner
$300
$801+
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Description
The Blackstar HT-5H is a powerful yet compact tube amplifier head, perfect for both studio sessions and home practice. This 5-watt dynamo captures the essence of tube-driven sound, allowing guitarists to dial in everything from pristine cleans to gritty crunch with ease. Thanks to its patent-applied-for Infinite Shape Feature (ISF), the HT-5H offers unparalleled tonal flexibility, letting you seamlessly blend American and British voicing to craft your unique sonic signature.
The HT-5H is equipped with a cleverly designed low-power push-pull power amp, which emulates the rich breakup characteristics of larger amps but at a more manageable volume. This makes it ideal for capturing that sought-after power section sound without overwhelming your space. Its 2-channel design ensures versatility, catering to a wide range of playing styles and genres.
For recording enthusiasts, the HT-5H boasts a speaker-emulated output, allowing you to capture authentic tube tones directly to your recording setup. You can choose between 1x12 and 4x12 cabinet emulations, tailoring your sound to fit any mix. Additionally, the amp includes an effects loop with a level switch, making it easy to integrate your favorite pedals.
Whether you're practicing at home or laying down tracks in the studio, the Blackstar HT-5H delivers the tone and features you need to elevate your sound.
Key Features:
- 5-watt tube amplifier head
- 1 x ECC83 and 1 x 12BH7 tubes
- Unique push-pull power amp design
- 2 footswitchable channels
- Infinite Shape Feature (ISF) for tone customization
- Speaker-emulated output with 1x12 or 4x12 voicing
- Effects loop with effects level switch
- Footswitch included
Product specs
| Brand | Blackstar |
| Model | HT-5H 5-Watt Guitar Head |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 2010s |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Color Family | Black |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 16 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 1 Input |
| Output Power (Watts) | 5 |
| Power Tube Type | None |
| Powered | Unpowered |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
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Is the Blackstar HT-5H suitable for home practice?
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Yes, the Blackstar HT-5H is ideal for home practice due to its 5-watt output, offering great sound at lower volumes. It features a speaker emulated output for silent practice with headphones.
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Does the Blackstar HT-5H have built-in reverb?
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No, the Blackstar HT-5H does not include built-in reverb. However, it has an effects loop where you can connect external reverb pedals.
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What is the Infinite Shape Feature (ISF) on the Blackstar HT-5H?
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The Infinite Shape Feature (ISF) allows you to adjust the tonal characteristics of the amp, ranging from classic American to British-style tones, providing versatility for different music genres.
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Can the Blackstar HT-5H be used for recording?
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Yes, the Blackstar HT-5H is equipped for recording with its speaker emulated output, which offers 1x12 or 4x12 voicing options for direct connection to recording equipment.
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How many channels does the Blackstar HT-5H have?
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The Blackstar HT-5H features two footswitchable channels, allowing you to switch between clean and overdrive tones easily.
Videos
1001fishvids
Blackstar HT-5H Head Demo
Blackstar HT-5H Head Demo
1001fishvids
Blackstar HT-5H Metal E-Gitarren-Amp im Test
musikmachen.de
Blackstar HT-5H amplifier Demo Version 2
1001fishvids
Blackstar HT5H, Guitar head amplifier demo, Msm Workshop
MSMWorkshop
Reviews
PROS
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Excellent for practicing at home with neighbor-friendly volume levels
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Versatile for both home studio and rehearsal settings
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Lightweight and easy to transport
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Overdrive channel provides a range from subtle crunch to heavy chug
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ISF control allows for flexible tonal shaping between British and American voicings
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Capable of driving big cabinets despite being a 5-watt amp
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Solid hybrid design with usable gain and clear clean tones
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Great pedal platform with tweakable EQ and ISF settings
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Affordable price for the features offered
CONS
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Clean channel can initially sound "honky" without adjustments
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Emulated/headphone output does not function in standby for silent operation
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Not a full valve amplifier, being a hybrid with solid-state components
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Blackstar HT-5H.
Comparisons
User experience
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Adjusting guitar volume from high gain settings can shift the amp’s tone from metal to classic rock, offering dynamic sound control without altering amp settings.
Source -
Some users found the amp's clean tones harsh, but the distortion is praised for metal genres, offering more than solid-state alternatives.
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Owners report the amp is loud enough for practice at home without being overwhelming, with a great volume range for bedroom use.
Source
Value and pricing
Mods and upgrades
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Swapping the pre-amp tube with a 12AT7 is suggested to increase versatility, potentially taming the early gain onset for non-metal applications.
Source
Features and functionality
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The amp’s clean channel breaks up early, providing a gritty blues tone rather than a pristine clean, which suits players seeking natural overdrive.
Source -
The HT-5H has true dual channels and an effects loop, enhancing its usability for diverse sound needs.
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The HT-5RH MkII introduces alternate voicings, which are a major selling point for those seeking tonal variety.
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The ISF knob offers tonal shifts from American to British styles, enhancing versatility in sound shaping.
Source -
The MkII's power reduction switch likely replaces solid-state components to achieve tube tone at low volumes, potentially offering a more authentic tube experience.
Source
Use cases and applications
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Owners find the HT-5H effective for band practice, offering sufficient volume to compete with drums despite its small size and light weight.
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Ideal for rock to metal styles, with gain settings beyond 8 acting as a deep saturator for heavy tones.
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The MkII's recording features, including a D.I. output and reverb, are highlighted as valuable for home recording setups, although some users still prefer miking cabs.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 14 Ratings
Artist usage
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