Blackstar HT-20R MkII
Overview
The Blackstar HT-20R MkII is a 20-watt all-tube combo amplifier that offers a flexible two-channel design with Blackstar's proprietary ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) tone control for dialing in everything from American to British amp voicings. Powered by two EL34 output tubes and two ECC83 preamp tubes, it pushes sound through a 12-inch Celestion Seventy 80 speaker. The ISF knob is the defining feature, allowing players to sweep continuously between tight, scooped American-style tones and warmer, thicker British-voiced sounds, effectively providing access to a wide spectrum of classic amp characters from a single control. The clean channel delivers bell-like clarity with impressive headroom for a 20-watt amp, while the overdrive channel provides a smooth, singing gain that covers everything from blues crunch to modern high-gain. A two-way power reduction switch drops the amp to 2 watts for low-volume practice, maintaining the tube character at neighbor-friendly levels. The reverb sounds natural and is useful across both channels. The speaker-emulated output is included for direct recording. Construction is solid with a durable build quality that handles regular transport. This amp suits intermediate to advanced players who gig in small to medium venues and want genuine tube tone with tonal flexibility. The stock Celestion Seventy 80 speaker, while adequate, is often cited as a worthwhile upgrade point for improved clarity and refinement.
Guitar Amplifiers
The Blackstar HT-20R MkII is a 20-watt all-tube combo with the proprietary ISF tone control sweeping between American and British amp voicings, plus a two-watt mode for low-volume tube tone at bedroom levels.
Instrument Details
$649
Intermediate
Brand
Blackstar
Type
Tube Combo Amp
Made In
South Korea
Year
2019
