All user reviews of 5/5 for the Marshall DSL5C

All-tube amp with switchable output power (5 Watts or 0.5 Watts) and 2 channels. 1 headphone jack, 1 mp3 player jack, 1 footswitch. 3-band equalizer. 1 effects loop. 1 speaker output

The mp3 input doesn't work unless you connect your headphones. Very good to play with headphones without disturbing your surroundings. The sound certainly doesn't have anything to do with the amp's sound without cans.

It's very handy to be able to switch to 0.5 watts when you don't want to make too much noise, and the sound remains very good.

You can really fell it's an "all-tube" amp. It's really powerful and has a good sound.


USE

The amp is very easy to use. The manual is clear and comprehensive. You can get a good sound right away, regardless of the channel you use.

SOUND

I play a Gibson Les Paul with humbuckers. It's a pity you can't have a clean sound at high volumes because the "classic gain" channel crunches very quickly. Other than that, this amp is excellent. I play mainly blues and rock and this amp sounds really good. I use the ultra gain channel with the gain set between 2 and 3 and it sounds very good. If you increase the gain you'll get a fat distortion right away.


I have a ts9 dx pedal that I use as a booster for certain solos, but it's not really necessary.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for a little over three months now and I can't get enough of it. I have a Vox AC15C1 that I hardly ever use since I bought this Marshall. Its 5 watts are more than enough to play at home, while the Vox is more powerful, maybe too powerful for home use. They both sound completely different. The Marshall provides a really fat and good sound right away, while the Vox took me more time to dial in. I also use both of them together with and ABY box and it sounds pretty good, too, plus I can have a clean sound at high volumes.
The 10" speaker makes the sound lack some breadth, but it's quite normal for an amp with such output power.
I tried out a fender blues junior at the same time as this one and it didn't take me long to make my mind up. I was looking for a more distorted sound and this amp really convinced me. I would certainly buy it again if had to.
It's a very particular amp suited for certain music styles. If you want to play blues with a strat and a very clean sound, I don't think it's your best choice.