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https://youtu.be/WspUxDSoDu0
I was "bottle washer" in the Blackstar lab during Cliff's time at Blackstar and I can confirm that he was a good bloke to work for.
ICBM. Cliff was responsible for the (post Five) HT range and you will be gratified to learn that he shared your contempt for the Rocket 50! He did the best he could with the design!
Dave.
I hope he didn't like the Seventy/80 either...
I think it's a real shame Blackstar were so unwilling to use different speakers - the times I've tried the later HT series amps through much better ones I've been quite impressed - I still find them a bit too dark and tight-sounding and with too much gain, but they sound a whole lot better through something like a Classic Lead 80 or a G12T-75, which is not that expensive. I also do think the 'post 5' HTs sound much better than the original HT-5.
It's nice to see both varieties of Creambacks and a Gold in his own amps - much higher quality speakers (admittedly expensive, especially the Gold) but it does show a better approach and some more thought has gone into it. The speaker is the single most important component in the signal path in many ways.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
"speaker is the single most important component in the signal path in many ways. "
Agreed IC and it is also probably the most expensive (after cabinet?) I know we have been round this garden path before but the market that Bs are in is VERY competitive (and you have to contend with rip off artists like Behringer!)*
Yes, the Rocket is (almost) universally detested but not ALL the speakers you dislike are so by other people. The possibility must be considered that, like your "ear" is not attuned to those of the Blackstar design team in terms of electronics, you are similarly "out of step" with their speaker preferences?
I know you will say others agree with you but some of that is surely "hero worship"?!!
Blackstar are now I think in their 11th year? They have come through two recessions and a LOT of stick from the "clattering classes" in forums (we love to knock our Home successes!) but they are still there and doing well AFAIK. They must be doing something right by a lot of people's lights?
*BTW the "Buggers" HT-5 clone is advertised as a " Five watt Class A" amplifier" How they get 5W from a 12BH7 in class A I would LOVE to know!
Dave.
First came across 633 amps at Ade Hardman's guitars in Peterborough. Played a Vanquish Legend through a prototype 633. Incredible sound. Bought the Guitar, but at that time 633 amps were in the pre production stage.
Went to see Cliff Brown in January this year. Tried most of his amps in his workshop / studio in Northampton. Finally decided on a Ruby with a 1 x 12 uprated Celestion speaker cabinet. Picked it up a couple of weeks ago.
Oh boy, what a sound! Never heard anything as good as this.
Sure, they are expensive; but if you want The Best, then you have to pay for it, I'm afraid. I won't tell you what it cost, but it was a lot! Despite the cost, I am absolutely delighted with the set up, and can recommend to anyone.
Cliff will design and modify to your request, as he did for me. Great bloke, great amps. You only have one life - go on, you know you want to.....................