Yet another smaller amp query

[schenr]

Hi all,
Yesterday I had a look at a few lower wattage amps (10-20 watt range) that tackle rock to metal tones and there were 2 that stood out. This is going to be used in my bedroom, jamming, and possible small gigs at a pub or something.

Initially I had a list of a few Vox (night train, ac15), orange (tiny terror combo), egnater (tweaker 15 combo), blackstar ht-20 and then the marshall haze 15 stack.
but one thing i do want is an effects loop and dedicated 2 channels, of which the blackstar and egnater both had.

Now I have to toss up between the Egnater, which is about $200AUD more than the Blackstar, but the Blackstar has more features (recording-line out, footswitch, reverb, dedicated clean and distortion volume), and is an extra 5 watts (which doesnt actually phase me, just thought i'd mention it).

Has anyone had experience with either of these amps (Egnater tweaker 15 and blackstar ht-20), or heard about any problems that are common with them? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 

[hunter]

I heard that the Tweaker's loop send signal can be too hot for some pedals.

Other than that I'd go for the Egnater, such a great sounding little monster. Bruce also said you can take off the top grille and put in some larger bottles, like pairs of EL34 or 6L6s. Seems like fun, as the amp is self biasing.

[JacksonRR]

You should put KT88s in it then. That would be hilarious.

[hunter]

something like this  :lol:

[JacksonRR]

DO IT!!! AHAHAHAHAHA!!! THAT"S GREAT!! Wait, ya got a  photo with 300Bs?

[schenr]

Yeah i've seen that there are a few loop problems, better take down my gear and give it a shot.
just dont know how annoying it will be with no footswitch and one channel.
didnt realise you can chop and change the tubes though...you sure you don't have to bias it?

[dave_mc]

i haven't tried it, but i thought the tweaker was single channel?

[schenr]

it is single channel, just has the clean/hot selector for the gain...which is semi-deceptive, as I initially thought it was 2 channels due to this switch, but apparently not.

[dave_mc]

ah ok, just making sure you realised that it wasn't technically 2 channels.

[schenr]

Haha yeah I see where your coming from now, it would be a dealbreaker if there was a footswitch that allowed for the hot/clean setting to be changed.
Might get a tad frustrating bending down to flick the switch all the time.

[Alex]

There's also the new ENGL gigmaster, which has everything you want.
It might cost a bit more, but it is made in Germany after all, not China or Korea like many other models.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/engl_e315_gigmaster_head.htm

[schenr]

Funnily enough I did actually try that one out too, they just got it in the store. Sounded awesome through a mesa something something cab (can't remember which one, or what speaker), but it was about $500 aud over my budget unfortunately, and that was just for the head, I'd have to buy a cab with that too.
But now that you bring that up, you've given me something to reconsider..

On another note, has anyone played the VHT lead 20?

[Alex]

Ask the store if you can get it without the cab. The cab isn't too great anyway, it features the same speaker the Blackstar 1x10" cabs feature.

[schenr]

So no point in getting the combo I take it (with regards to the speaker that comes with it)...

[stonevibe]

How a bout a Jet City 20 watt job?

Based on a Soldano circuit and 20 watts...

I've ordered the 50w head and it should be with me sometime next week. Different circuit, but still in your wattage range. Just...