Based on Blackstar’s best-selling valve-powered HT pedal range, the Blackstar HT5 mini stack is a straightforward two-channel design with a shared EQ and a push-pull power stage based, rather unusually, on a single 12BH7 valve. Normally one output valve means single-ended pure class A, however, the 12BH7 is a twin triode with two separate amplification stages in one envelope, very similar to the ECC82 or 12AU7 with slightly more power on tap. The Blackstar HT-5 is a very portable mini-stack comprising a head and two 1 x 10 closed back cabinets

The wood cabinet build is very neatly done and is covered in tough black vinyl to a good standard. The overall look of the Mini Stack head and speakers is typical of the brand – classic Blackstar styling done well – which means that despite the smaller size everything has a tough, purposeful appearance.

This is carried over to the inside of the amp, with a robust open tray chassis supporting the Blackstar HT5′s electronics. These are carried on two printed circuit boards: one large one containing almost all the Blackstar HT5′s circuitry and a smaller one for the rear panel components.

The Blackstar HT5 Mini Stack‘s features are also pretty generous in the value for money stakes, with two foot-switchable channels sharing a three-band EQ and an extra control called Infinite Shape Feature or ISF for short. This clever voicing control started life as a temporary tool to help Blackstar’s designers zero in on a particular tone and response, but it turned out to be so popular that it has ended up as a permanent feature on the amplifier.

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