Musicians Roadhouse

Sweetwater is expecting some of these to show up in the next couple of weeks. Here are the official details and some pictures. These are all made in Vietnam. If Marshall see's to it that quality is maintained these amps are a bargain.

These are different then the JCM2000 DSL amps, we will see in the next few months how these sound.


DSL 15H
Here is the 15 watt head version packing 15 watts with a Pentode/Triode switch that drops the amp's output to a studio-friendly 7.5 watts. The head has no loop or reverb. Tube configuration is Four ECC83s in the preamp section (in concert with the amp's gain/master volume arrangement) and two 6V6s. $499



DSL 15C
Then there is the 15 watt Marshall DSL15C, same power as the head but in addition you get reverb and a single 12" custom-voiced Celestion 70/80 speaker. $599




DSL 40C
The next model is the 40 watt combo also with a Pentode/Triode switch that drops the amp's output to 20 watts. This model also has some other modes not found in the 15 watt versions and would seem to me to be the most desirable of the range. Each channel boasts two modes: Clean/Crunch and Lead 1/Lead 2, this 40 watt combo includes a loop also. $699




DSL100H
Now comes the one of interest for me. The new DSL100H. This one like the others has the Rear-panel Pentode/Triode switch which drops the amp's output to a club-and-studio-friendly 50 watts. Bypassable rear-panel Series FX loop and 2-way footswitch for channel switching and Reverb on/off. Four ECC83s in the preamp section (in concert with the amp's gain/master volume arrangement) and four EL34s. Here is the best part, $899.

I was quite interested in the 15 watt versions, but no effects loop is a non-starter for me unfortunately.

That's a shame, I thought this might be a good home/jam solution but if I'm getting a 15 watt amp I definitely want to use it with my whole rig, and that means I need a loop. I'm assuming it's a cost savings not to do it but my little Blackstar has a loop on it so that has me scratching my head a bit.

I'm curious to hear someone A/B an old DSL100 with the new one.

surlybastard wrote:I was quite interested in the 15 watt versions, but no effects loop is a non-starter for me unfortunately.

That's a shame, I thought this might be a good home/jam solution but if I'm getting a 15 watt amp I definitely want to use it with my whole rig, and that means I need a loop. I'm assuming it's a cost savings not to do it but my little Blackstar has a loop on it so that has me scratching my head a bit.

I'm curious to hear someone A/B an old DSL100 with the new one.

Why not get the 40 watt combo then, it not only has a loop but you also have some additional features not found on the 15 watt version. Also you can cut the power to 20 watts. You and I are not going to hear the difference in volume between 15 to 20 watts.

Ya you make a good point, I'll have to think about it.

My other thought on this is lamenting the fact that Marshall is slowly becoming a victim of the state of manufacturing these days. I have no problem with products being built in the far east but I think, sadly, it's indicative of a trend to move all the main production out of the UK which ultimately means lost jobs. Marshall's hardly alone in this but it doesn't make it any less unfortunate when it happens.

They have competition, to stay in business you need great products people want at affordable prices. It is we the consumer who demand it. Either company's manufacture overseas or they risk failure, I hate it as much as you do. Until governments get their hands out of business it is just the way of the world. I have some strong thoughts on this but don't want to turn this political.

The good news is it would seem Marshall has giving us some nice options here at very competitive prices.

Thanks for posting the pictures Surf, I've not seen the rear panels before. I used to own a DSL 40 watt combo, they sound great with Vintage 30's.
But the old one had 4 EL84's in the power side, while the new 40 watt combo has 2 EL34's which is interesting.
I do think they should have put an FX loop in the 15 watt in order to compete with whats out there already.

Alpeggio wrote:Thanks for posting the pictures Surf, I've not seen the rear panels before. I used to own a DSL 40 watt combo, they sound great with Vintage 30's.
But the old one had 4 EL84's in the power side, while the new 40 watt combo has 2 EL34's which is interesting.
I do think they should have put an FX loop in the 15 watt in order to compete with whats out there already.

Perhaps, but the 15 watt head and combo are probably targeted to players who really don't need a loop. Hell the only thing I use it for is a delay anyways. Also consider the price point the designers had to stay within. Perhaps adding the loop and reverb to the 15 watters would have jumped the cost above the target price.

If only the DSL 40 was made in a head version

I think they're a very good amp for a great price! I like the new options and the power reduction is very a brilliant idea. For the price I think a winner. I've owned 2 dsl amps in past and as an all rounder for someone who wants a variety of Marshall tones in a box it ticks the boxes. For someone who wants more specific Marshall tones and wants to get as close to a particular amp as possible buy the real deal. I also owned the 6100lm modified with el34 tubes and it still didn't quite sound as close to the amps it was aimed at replicating. I sold it and bought the real deals. I've Always looked at the dsl/tsl as being an industry standard amp. The vm for example always felt like a custom amp to me, you know like a deluxe or something!

It's really a shame that not all of the DSL line comes equipped with an FX loop. I guess they had to do something to differentiate them aside from just the output power. They are going to have a difficult time with the DSL15 competing against the H&K TubeMiester. As much as I would want to get the DSL15 head, my money would go to the TubeMeister any day of the week due to the better feature set.

surfnorthwest wrote:Also consider the price point the designers had to stay within. Perhaps adding the loop and reverb to the 15 watters would have jumped the cost above the target price.

Every little thing adds cost, nevertheless, there have been far less expensive Marshalls that offered FX loops. I really think the lack of FX loop is a strategic decision that they made, which is likely going to bite them in the end. Marshall is trying to push customers who want the FX loop feature further up in price point, however, their competitors are offering better options around the same price point.

40 watt combo for sure. Maybe 100h. Will prob. be my next amp. Would really like to hear someone that has had a DSL for a long time compare it to the new ones. I have used one, but never enough to claim I KNOW that amp...From what I remember, you can't switch from clean to crunch on the head? Correct? Either way they sold a shitload of DSLs before. This is prob.a good idea for them (Marshall) and hopefully for us, too.

romeomotive

The H&K looks like a great amp! The only thing it doesn't have and the most important to me is the Marshall tone.

They're up on the Marshall website finally!!

Well done Marshall!
I tip my hat :)
I'm just hanging out for a 15-20w true Plexi with a pair of EL34's instead of the EL84's in the 2061x.
And a 15-20w JCM800 too :)
I like the half power switch - the 3dB reduction can make or break the difference with wife and baby-friendly practise :)