Blackstar HT-5 head or Egnater Rebel 20? Help me decide!

GH0STrider · 03-18-2009, 09:11 PM

Ok.... So I have decided to finally get a tube amp. I am looking for something smaller and not so pricey because I am moving into an apartment. I have narrowed my search to these two fine amps. I'm looking for input from people who have knowledge and hands on experience using these amps. I see a lot of pros witht the blackstar- 300 dollars less than the egnater for one. It has two footswitchable channels which is a big deal for me because I like the dynamics of switching between two different sounds. I am on the fence with the egnater. First, It is only has one channel. It cost 600 dollars- double the price of the Blackstar. It does have more wattage- 20 to be exact. Both amps allow you to adjust the wattage used and you can switch or mix the sounds of the different tubes used. I guess I just need some advice as to which is the better purchase. Everyone chime in! I've been missing out on the tube sound for way to long. Also- I am not so stubborn to thing there aren't other options out there, if you have other recommendations that fit into my situation and what I'm looking for let's here them! Although- let me say this right now, I am against the Orange tiny terror. I simply don't care for it. I feel the Blackstar and Egnater are much more versitile, which is what I am looking for.

zimbloth · 03-18-2009, 09:13 PM

I like the Egnator, it was fun to play through and has a pretty nice tone & response. However $600 is a lot for a Made in China Egnator when you could get a slick used Mesa combo for less (DC2, DC3, Studio 22, etc) which IMO smoke both of these.

But yeah, if picking between the two: Egnator. I wasn't feeling the Blackstar I played.

biggness · 03-18-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zimbloth

I like the Egnator, it was fun to play through and has a pretty nice tone & response. However $600 is a lot for a Made in China Egnator when you could get a slick used Mesa combo for less (DC2, DC3, Studio 22, etc) which IMO smoke both of these.

But yeah, if picking between the two: Egnator. I wasn't feeling the Blackstar I played.

+1 to this. I would recommend the DC series as well. Why Mesa killed this amp line is beyond me. I have a DC5 and find it to be perfect for low volume jamming and gigging volumes. This is with the output volume mod BTW, which is a must if you ask me. Not to mention, you would really be getting your money's worth out of a Mesa. Extremely well built amps that, IMO, would last way longer than the two amps you mentioned. Just check out the build quality in this picture of my DC5. Notice how neat everything is, ZERO crossed wires, just all around expert design, and all this on one of their lower tier amps.

Apophis · 03-19-2009, 02:21 AM

^^ I was thinking about Egnater also, but after previous posts and after that pic, I think Justin and Nick are right, better invest in quality

troyguitar · 03-19-2009, 01:08 PM

These new Chinese made Egnaters are way overpriced.

playstopause · 03-19-2009, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

Both amps allow you to adjust the wattage used and you can switch or mix the sounds of the different tubes used.

- I don't think you can change the wattage on the HT5.
- The Egnater really let's you change and mix the power tubes. The HT5 does not (it has a function that mimics this, but you don't really go from one tube to another like the Rebel).
- While I believe it's obvious Mesa is better in any way, the ones you will get in the same price range are combos (unless you find a really old head). To me, I did not want a combo, even if it says Mesa on the front. I just don't like combos. So it's all "bout what you're after. There is also many clips of the Egnater on the tube, check them out.

GH0STrider · 03-19-2009, 03:21 PM

Yeah I really would prefer a head over a combo. As I said I don't need a lot of head room hence the reason I was interested in a smaller low watt tube amp like the two I have mentioned.

playstopause · 03-19-2009, 03:32 PM

Also just thought of this : many people forget that the HT-5 is just a pedal (with 2 tubes) in a head chassis. The Egnater is a real amp head with 7 tubes in it! That's quite a difference!

That beeing said...
I'm trying to sell my Egnater stack (if a get a decent price) because, well, the infamous economic crisis. And i'll probabaly replace it with, well, a HT-5!

biggness · 03-19-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH0STrider

Yeah I really would prefer a head over a combo. As I said I don't need a lot of head room hence the reason I was interested in a smaller low watt tube amp like the two I have mentioned.

FWIW, I have my Mesa in a shortbody head enclosure. I can have my DC5 be a head or a combo.

7 Strings of Hate · 03-19-2009, 05:30 PM

have you looked at those blackheart amps?? they have some smaller wattage ones for not too much. I havnt played any, but they look damn interesting, and you can get them in heads.
They even have a 1 watt

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03-18-2009, 09:11 PM	#1
GH0STrider Resident Gangsta Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Crystal Lake, IL Posts: 2,182 Thanked: 7 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Blackstar HT-5 head or Egnater Rebel 20? Help me decide! Ok.... So I have decided to finally get a tube amp. I am looking for something smaller and not so pricey because I am moving into an apartment. I have narrowed my search to these two fine amps. I'm looking for input from people who have knowledge and hands on experience using these amps. I see a lot of pros witht the blackstar- 300 dollars less than the egnater for one. It has two footswitchable channels which is a big deal for me because I like the dynamics of switching between two different sounds. I am on the fence with the egnater. First, It is only has one channel. It cost 600 dollars- double the price of the Blackstar. It does have more wattage- 20 to be exact. Both amps allow you to adjust the wattage used and you can switch or mix the sounds of the different tubes used. I guess I just need some advice as to which is the better purchase. Everyone chime in! I've been missing out on the tube sound for way to long. Also- I am not so stubborn to thing there aren't other options out there, if you have other recommendations that fit into my situation and what I'm looking for let's here them! Although- let me say this right now, I am against the Orange tiny terror. I simply don't care for it. I feel the Blackstar and Egnater are much more versitile, which is what I am looking for.

03-18-2009, 09:13 PM	#2
zimbloth Nick // Axe Palace Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 16,684 Thanked: 179 Feedback Score: 48 reviews	I like the Egnator, it was fun to play through and has a pretty nice tone & response. However $600 is a lot for a Made in China Egnator when you could get a slick used Mesa combo for less (DC2, DC3, Studio 22, etc) which IMO smoke both of these. But yeah, if picking between the two: Egnator. I wasn't feeling the Blackstar I played. The Axe Palace <-- Dealer for: Ibanez, BKP, DiMarzio, ENGL, Diezel, Orange, Fryette, ESP, Caparison, PRS, Vigier, Dean , Parker, Flaxwood, G&L, Schecter USA and many more. NEW WEBSITE IS NOW LIVE: www.axepalace.com

03-19-2009, 03:32 PM	#8
playstopause President / RHLC © Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec, CAN Posts: 15,045 Thanked: 68 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Also just thought of this : many people forget that the HT-5 is just a pedal (with 2 tubes) in a head chassis. The Egnater is a real amp head with 7 tubes in it! That's quite a difference! That beeing said... I'm trying to sell my Egnater stack (if a get a decent price) because, well, the infamous economic crisis. And i'll probabaly replace it with, well, a HT-5! Become one of us or die, ....ers. / Rick RIP Garcia3441

03-19-2009, 05:30 PM	#10
7 Strings of Hate Mid-Level Asshole Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: St.Louis USA Posts: 6,771 Thanked: 90 Feedback Score: 23 reviews	have you looked at those blackheart amps?? they have some smaller wattage ones for not too much. I havnt played any, but they look damn interesting, and you can get them in heads. They even have a 1 watt Confront and Destroy! -7SoH http://www.myspace.com/7stringsofhate

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03-19-2009, 02:21 AM	#4
Apophis Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Poland Posts: 18,279 Thanked: 71 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	^^ I was thinking about Egnater also, but after previous posts and after that pic, I think Justin and Nick are right, better invest in quality

03-19-2009, 01:08 PM	#5
troyguitar SS.org Regular Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bloomsburg, PA Posts: 7,412 Thanked: 63 $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $troyguitar is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ Feedback Score: 10 reviews	These new Chinese made Egnaters are way overpriced.

03-19-2009, 03:21 PM	#7
GH0STrider Resident Gangsta Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Crystal Lake, IL Posts: 2,182 Thanked: 7 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Yeah I really would prefer a head over a combo. As I said I don't need a lot of head room hence the reason I was interested in a smaller low watt tube amp like the two I have mentioned.

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