Marshall DSL20C - 20W Combo

As I had been wanting to upgrade to a better though still reasonably compact sized guitar amplifier I did my homework and tried out a few in a number of fairly local music stores to my location.I was satisfied to a point with a couple of amplifiers but for some reason or another there was something missing in the sound I was looking for.When I heard the now discontinued Marshall DSL15C in one shop I soon felt it was more versatile in producing audio that felt 'at home' with me.Besides I have always had a love of valve based amplifiers and as this 15 Watt amp. was valve based this was a bonus.However I ended up with the Marshall DSL20C, mainly due to the 15C becoming obsolete.I suppose it was a stroke of luck as I believe the DSL20C is just that bit more ... MoreAs I had been wanting to upgrade to a better though still reasonably compact sized guitar amplifier I did my homework and tried out a few in a number of fairly local music stores to my location.I was satisfied to a point with a couple of amplifiers but for some reason or another there was something missing in the sound I was looking for.When I heard the now discontinued Marshall DSL15C in one shop I soon felt it was more versatile in producing audio that felt 'at home' with me.Besides I have always had a love of valve based amplifiers and as this 15 Watt amp. was valve based this was a bonus.However I ended up with the Marshall DSL20C, mainly due to the 15C becoming obsolete.I suppose it was a stroke of luck as I believe the DSL20C is just that bit more refined in what you can do and produce from it, not just because it can output an additional 5 Watts of power, (on the high power setting).I'm no guitar amplifier expert but I believe Marshall have designed a in very interactive and effective equaliser panel on the amp. not to mention the switchable normal and ultra gain modes with provide further sound flexibility.I am really enjoying experimenting with all EQ controls and discovering new tones, overtones and others I could not obtain with my former amplifier.I have not really integrated the reverb control as yet but for digital reverberation it sounds realistic to my ears and I'm sure it will be used in time.The amplifiers audio is plenty loud at the full 20 Watts, possibly a bit too powerful for my requirements at the moment although halving the power using the front panel switch is just right for regular guitar practice.The rear of the Marshall has a range of outputs for different speaker impedances as well as an emulated line out jack, an audio input jack as well as a sound effects send and return jacks and of course one for the included foot pedal switches.In conclusion I've only had this great little valve based amplifier for a relatively brief period but I increasingly enjoy using it everytime I plug it in.Plus it looks top notch too!

DSL5

Very nice sounding compact amplifier.The 0.5 Watt low-power option is very suitable for home usage while still maintaining the sound quality. Definitely for a 10 inch speaker the sound is very impressive! In 5 Watt mode it is even very loud.I like that the amplifier has an effects loop.An extra overdrive channel would have been nice.

Definitely worth the money

I got this amp today and immediately cracked the box open and had to play it. I was not disappointed. It is a killer amp! I would also like to add that it is excellent with pedals as well. This is a great all tube amp for the price and it's not killer heavy. I live in an apartment building and have to contend with 4 flights of steps. The distortion is great but if you want to play some of the harder rock like Metallica or Pantera it will require a pedal. However, it does have great distortion and for a 20 watt it sure is loud and delivers that Marshall growl that is so typical of these amps. If you want an awesome tube amp that won't drain your cash then this is the best bang for your buck! I may replace the speaker in the near future, but for now it will do. I ... MoreI got this amp today and immediately cracked the box open and had to play it. I was not disappointed. It is a killer amp! I would also like to add that it is excellent with pedals as well. This is a great all tube amp for the price and it's not killer heavy. I live in an apartment building and have to contend with 4 flights of steps. The distortion is great but if you want to play some of the harder rock like Metallica or Pantera it will require a pedal. However, it does have great distortion and for a 20 watt it sure is loud and delivers that Marshall growl that is so typical of these amps. If you want an awesome tube amp that won't drain your cash then this is the best bang for your buck! I may replace the speaker in the near future, but for now it will do. I don't have any complaints about this amp but perhaps the neighbors do. This is heavily recommended!

Fantastic amp

I've spent years buying overdrive pedals trying to get a great classic guitar sound. With this amp I get that sound I've been looking for just plugging straight in! Add a boost pedal and it's all I need. The clean channel is also fantastic if you want a pedal platform. But the dirty channel is just SO good! Classic Marshall. Probably the best amp I've ever owned!

Great for practice and recording, okay for gigging

I've had this amp for a week now, and I am very happy with it. I was looking for an amp that was louder than a "bedroom" amp, but not necessarily loud enough for gigging. This one is perfect for me. The Classic gain channel is not super clean. With single coils, it's good for Hendrix "Hey Joe" kind of sound. It can get a little cleaner if you want to sacrifice volume, though. With humbuckers, very AC/DC. The Ultra Gain Channel is what this amp is all about. Very smooth distortion, it doesn't get fizzy unless the gain is cranked pretty much all the way up, but that's a LOT of gain. With the Tone Shift switch, along with the the presence and resonance knobs (in addition to the standard high, mid, and low knobs), you have a lot of control over tone. The reverb is a ... MoreI've had this amp for a week now, and I am very happy with it. I was looking for an amp that was louder than a "bedroom" amp, but not necessarily loud enough for gigging. This one is perfect for me. The Classic gain channel is not super clean. With single coils, it's good for Hendrix "Hey Joe" kind of sound. It can get a little cleaner if you want to sacrifice volume, though. With humbuckers, very AC/DC. The Ultra Gain Channel is what this amp is all about. Very smooth distortion, it doesn't get fizzy unless the gain is cranked pretty much all the way up, but that's a LOT of gain. With the Tone Shift switch, along with the the presence and resonance knobs (in addition to the standard high, mid, and low knobs), you have a lot of control over tone. The reverb is a little lacking, but it's usable if you're not looking for anything over the top. The option to drop to half power is great, and the tone doesn't suffer at 10w. I'm very happy with that function. My only real complaint about the amp is that I wish it had been in a bigger cab. I think it lacks some fullness, especially low end compared to other 20w amps that I have played through. I have plugged it into a 2x12 and a 4x12, and either gives it a fuller sound with a little more bottom. I am hoping to find a good size 1x12 to pair it with, I'm pretty sure that will make it the perfect home amp for me. I have played it with a full band, and had plenty of volume to be heard. I am pretty sure it would do fine in a small bar gig on it's own, but much bigger, it should do fine through the PA.

Killer little amp!!!

This is a great amp. My only beef is that it doesn't have the channel mode selections like the bigger DSLs. I cured that with a Friedman Dirty Shirley pedal. Now I have a clean channel that will get a great rhythm tone and a lead channel that will melt your friggin' face. Especially when it's running into my 4×12" cab. Oh yeah, the on board reverb is pretty unusable in my opinion but my Keeley Caverns Reverb/Delay pedal fixes that. I also have an MXR Six-Band EQ to tame the fizz on higher gain settings. This amp will give you all that Marshall sound for $499 USD. The tones are great. You could run straight into it without any effects and you would have Marshall tone for days. Add a few pedals if you're so inclined and you have all the makings of your own sonic world ... MoreThis is a great amp. My only beef is that it doesn't have the channel mode selections like the bigger DSLs. I cured that with a Friedman Dirty Shirley pedal. Now I have a clean channel that will get a great rhythm tone and a lead channel that will melt your friggin' face. Especially when it's running into my 4×12" cab. Oh yeah, the on board reverb is pretty unusable in my opinion but my Keeley Caverns Reverb/Delay pedal fixes that. I also have an MXR Six-Band EQ to tame the fizz on higher gain settings. This amp will give you all that Marshall sound for $499 USD. The tones are great. You could run straight into it without any effects and you would have Marshall tone for days. Add a few pedals if you're so inclined and you have all the makings of your own sonic world for a very affordable price. The biggest selling point for me was that while most amps in this wattage range use EL-84s, this has EL-34s. That's THE tube for pretty much all of Marshall's best amps. I don't gig anymore so I can't say how roadworthy it is. For the price you can buy two so you have a backup...lol!!!

Little monster - great sound!

This little Marshall thinks it is bigger then life and acts and sounds like this. From nice clean to a liitle over-edged to crunch on the classic channel to full distortion on the ultra channel it does it all with ease.The EQ is very effective and three band, the reverb is OK but not exceptional. This little amp has an emulated output, supplied by Softtube, an FX loop, Aux in and a power reduction button that reduces the amps power to 0.1 Watt. With the amp comes a remote pedal to switch channels.Does it sound like a Marshall, hell yes it does in every way it can. It misses the OOMPH of a 12inch speaker, but he, this is only an 8 inch speaker and made for the bedroom noodlers who do not want to disturb the neighbours!This amp is highly recommendable to anyone ... MoreThis little Marshall thinks it is bigger then life and acts and sounds like this. From nice clean to a liitle over-edged to crunch on the classic channel to full distortion on the ultra channel it does it all with ease.The EQ is very effective and three band, the reverb is OK but not exceptional. This little amp has an emulated output, supplied by Softtube, an FX loop, Aux in and a power reduction button that reduces the amps power to 0.1 Watt. With the amp comes a remote pedal to switch channels.Does it sound like a Marshall, hell yes it does in every way it can. It misses the OOMPH of a 12inch speaker, but he, this is only an 8 inch speaker and made for the bedroom noodlers who do not want to disturb the neighbours!This amp is highly recommendable to anyone loving to play a Marshall at home and in the studio.

Marshal DSL1CR the ultimate portable practice amp

You know, to get the tube/valve sound, one has to crank the amp and that can hurt the ears and upset your family and neighbours. Not any more. This amp still sounds and feels great at 80-85db in 0.1watt mode when you are at home. That is still loud for a night practice though and the amp can go as loud as 100db in the 1watt mode, which is very loud in a small room.The combo sounds surprisingly full with plenty of bass. Quality sound and feel at lower volumes.I also like the reverb, first half sounds like a mix of spring in amp and hall type and when the reverb is dimed, it sounds similar to overdriven spring in amp reverb type.The Emulated out works and sound alright but playing through the speaker is a lot more inspiring and I'd recommend micing the amp for ... MoreYou know, to get the tube/valve sound, one has to crank the amp and that can hurt the ears and upset your family and neighbours. Not any more. This amp still sounds and feels great at 80-85db in 0.1watt mode when you are at home. That is still loud for a night practice though and the amp can go as loud as 100db in the 1watt mode, which is very loud in a small room.The combo sounds surprisingly full with plenty of bass. Quality sound and feel at lower volumes.I also like the reverb, first half sounds like a mix of spring in amp and hall type and when the reverb is dimed, it sounds similar to overdriven spring in amp reverb type.The Emulated out works and sound alright but playing through the speaker is a lot more inspiring and I'd recommend micing the amp for recording and also for practice with a band.The controls have good range.And the combo is well built with sturdy Marshall handle and looks class, I really like it.

Marshall DSL20HR, stunning !

This amp head looks absolutely fabulous when sitting on the top of Marshall MX212AR vertical cab.If used at home, you will need an attenuator, preferably with a reactive load, to get the most out of it at low volumes.Reverb sounds to me as small hall type and goes from none to very audible.This head made in October 2019 works as intended.The volume knobs work with Emulated OUT and the sound is surprisingly good.To be honest I was not very impressed with the head running into 70/80 speakers but the cab upgrade to Celestion AType and VType really made me appreciate how good this amp is.Pedals work well in the loop as well as at the front, but expect some pedals may be noisier than others.I usually set the shared EQ for the ultra gain channel because the classic ... MoreThis amp head looks absolutely fabulous when sitting on the top of Marshall MX212AR vertical cab.If used at home, you will need an attenuator, preferably with a reactive load, to get the most out of it at low volumes.Reverb sounds to me as small hall type and goes from none to very audible.This head made in October 2019 works as intended.The volume knobs work with Emulated OUT and the sound is surprisingly good.To be honest I was not very impressed with the head running into 70/80 speakers but the cab upgrade to Celestion AType and VType really made me appreciate how good this amp is.Pedals work well in the loop as well as at the front, but expect some pedals may be noisier than others.I usually set the shared EQ for the ultra gain channel because the classic gain channel sounds good in any setting to my ears.I hope this new DSL20HR made in October 2019 will be a reliable work horse.The date of the DSL20HR on the barcode is important. Steer clear of those made early, I had 2 heads made in December 2017 and both suffered from volume knobs not working with Emulated Out, had windy popping noise (check marshallforum for the ills of the early batches) and one was repaired 2x with flashing/dark power switch, they were returned for a refund (purchased from a different vendor), but this head made in October 2019 works well, I can confirm that. Good service at DV247 . Highly recommended.

Very Nice

I have a collection of Marshall DSL amps so i like to compare them. I really iike this newly released Marshall DSL 20C for a portable amp. If you just want the best sound, go for the Marshall DSL 40C because it sounds fuller with more bass. But the 40C weights 50lbs, and i love mine, but i dont like to move it. On the other hand, the DSL 20C is 36lbs which is okay for me to lug around. Although for 26lbs you could get the DSL5C and that is really portable. I find that for a small bedroom size room i like the DSL 5C just fine. However the 20C has more power for a band situation, has a really nice new design for the power switch which allows you to see, or change, the power setting from the front of the amp, not the back, and it has an FX loop which is important to ... MoreI have a collection of Marshall DSL amps so i like to compare them. I really iike this newly released Marshall DSL 20C for a portable amp. If you just want the best sound, go for the Marshall DSL 40C because it sounds fuller with more bass. But the 40C weights 50lbs, and i love mine, but i dont like to move it. On the other hand, the DSL 20C is 36lbs which is okay for me to lug around. Although for 26lbs you could get the DSL5C and that is really portable. I find that for a small bedroom size room i like the DSL 5C just fine. However the 20C has more power for a band situation, has a really nice new design for the power switch which allows you to see, or change, the power setting from the front of the amp, not the back, and it has an FX loop which is important to me. Also, the 20C has reverb and an Aux in for playing a backing track, and the footswitch is improved with the addition of indicator lights so you can tell what channel or FX loop you are on. The choice of two channels is great, they both sound good and have independent volume controls so you can set one higher than the other for a boost. Overall, i love it.