Small All Tube Amp w Headphone Jack

[lawrev]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to purchase an all tube amp (new or slightly used), with power between .5 - 4W, and a headphone jack (for practice). This is for at home practice at this point - an apartment so I have to be careful about volume. Any recommendations?
Thanks.

 

[cherrysunburst00]

Blackstar HT 1R (head or combo). I bought a head at the recommendation of @cybermgk

 

[CerebralGasket]

I have a Blackstar HT40 MkII and could not be any happier.

What I really like about it is that it is loud enough to keep up with a drummer and then use at home for silent practice and recording with headphones when connected to a DAW via USB.

I would think any of of the smaller HT series would fit your needs for at home use only.

 

[Thunder Dump]

For just headphone jack and switchable power (down to .1W), Bugera V5 Infinium 1X8 5W combo.

If you're going to use it for practice with headphones though, I would find one that has an 1/8" input so you can run an iPhone or MP3 player into it and jam along with music. Realistically, I think your best bet would be a modeler, like a Boss Katana, Marshall CODE, Fender Mustang or even better the Yamaha THR-10. You'll never get the tube sound you want through the headphone jack of a tube amp with the power or volume down.

 

[no jimmy p]

See Cherrysunburst00 comment above ,,,,, any of the Blackstar HT series amps will do the trick nicely ... plenty of tone options , relatively low cost , lots of model options . The HT 1 or the HT 5 models are readily available on the used market . You get a lot of bang for your buck ...

 

[CerebralGasket]

If not mistaken, doesn’t the audio from the headphone jack and USB audio port come from the preamp section which is tube?

I realize that headphones never sound as great as playing through a cranked amp and cabinet loaded with 12” speakers.

 

[northernguitarguy]

Why not just enjoy the tube amps you already own? Plus endless possibilities for cab IRs. And an attenuator when you wanna rock out a bit. Plus record directly to a DAW.

Two notes Audio Engineering - Torpedo Captor X

Torpedo Captor X is a compact reactive load box, tube amp attenuator, miked cab simulator, IR loader and stereo expander for home, live and studio use.

www.two-notes.com

 

[judson]

Why not just enjoy the tube amps you already own? Plus endless possibilities for cab IRs. And an attenuator when you wanna rock out a bit. Plus record directly to a DAW.

Two notes Audio Engineering - Torpedo Captor X

Torpedo Captor X is a compact reactive load box, tube amp attenuator, miked cab simulator, IR loader and stereo expander for home, live and studio use.

www.two-notes.com

you know thank you for that....as i started looking at some tube amps and asked myself why am i looking to buy a third?

an attenuator like this will do the trick....

dam the new one is pricey...maybe an earlier model will do it for me..

EDIT: after thinking a bit and a few adult beverages..... that isnt crazy money if it keeps me from running down the rabbit hole with amps...i have only have three and really dont want to start chasing those like i have guitars...

that is very reasonable if that keeps me away from the amp chase

 

[northernguitarguy]

you know thank you for that....as i started looking at some tube amps and asked myself why am i looking to buy a third?

an attenuator like this will do the trick....

It’s so much more. If you just need an attenuator, you can get there a little easier on the wallet. This thing works with apps so you can switch between cab IRs, has a headphone jack, direct outs (TRS and XLR). I have the V1, which is a much more stripped down version, this one is the bees knees.

 

[northernguitarguy]

dam the new one is pricey...maybe an earlier model will do it for me...but thanks !

I use my V1 with a Mooer Radar to an interface and on to my Mac for headphone practice. Or Radar to board for monitor mix when jamming.

 

[dmac in SC]

Just a suggestion, but consider a Strymon Iridium.... Pricey and a bit off the beaten path, but it solves all of the realistics with regards to headphone practice situations, home recording, and even gig activity going directly into the board (oh, that last phrase cuts me to the bone)

Get one and learn to use it... as with any Strymon pedal, figuring out how to make do exactly what you want is a challenge, but isn't that part of the fun?

 

[northernguitarguy]

FWIW, I just bought a Marshall DSL 1hr. It has a direct out that has a cab sim built in and acts like a headphone jack. And the amp has an internal load so you can unhook the speaker and play silently. I haven't tried it yet.

 

[Michael Matyas]

I have no suggestions as to amp choice, but use the wrong headphones and you won't like the sound. Try to get full-sized 'phones that cover the entire ear with generous padding around the perimeter. That will give you much better bass response than tiny earbuds.

 

[northernguitarguy]

I have no suggestions as to amp choice, but use the wrong headphones and you won't like the sound. Try to get full-sized 'phones that cover the entire ear with generous padding around the perimeter. That will give you much better bass response than tiny earbuds.

Agreed. Or get some decent IEMs.

 

[kysrsoze]

+1 on the Marshall DSL1HR. It is a wicked little amp.

If you're looking at Blackstar HT1, go for the HT1 MkII series. The MkII sounds much more lively and dynamic than the original (I've owned both), with more versatility. The new voicing switch adds classic and modern modes to both the clean and dirty channels, and you can use a footswitch to change the both the channel and the voice options.

 

[MichaelAndrew3435]

The Blackstar HT-1 is the only valve amp I've had with a built-in headphone output that doesn't sound terrible. When I lived in a small apartment during my first few years of playing, I probably tried every dang headphone setup you can think of. I've done load-boxes, modeling amps, and the few small practice valve amps with a headphone option. The best load-box I had was the UAD OX, but those cost an arm and a leg. If you really need to go valve, you're options are going to be limited unless you have a load box with a headphone out. There are much cheaper options than the OX.

There are a ton of small, solid state/modeling amps on the market I haven't tried for headphone use and probably should have. I have a house now with a dedicated music space, so I don't have to use headphones as much anymore. I only use headphones when I'm learning new stuff and it's just easier to focus and hear whatever I'm trying to emulate. Lots of people like the Boss Katana and I've been meaning to give it a try for a new headphone amp.

 

[LP1865]

Maybe try the Orange Micro series?

 

[lawrev]

Thanks for all these suggestions! They are much appreciated.

 

[Pop1655]

+1 on the Marshall DSL1HR. It is a wicked little amp.

+2 I'm totally in love with this thing. Well worth the price of admission in my book.
I intentionally bought new from Sweetwater admittedly to take it for a spin inside the return window just to see.
It ain't goin' back!!!
You might do the same.

 

[cybermgk]

The Blackstar HT-1 is the only valve amp I've had with a built-in headphone output that doesn't sound terrible. When I lived in a small apartment during my first few years of playing, I probably tried every dang headphone setup you can think of. I've done load-boxes, modeling amps, and the few small practice valve amps with a headphone option. The best load-box I had was the UAD OX, but those cost an arm and a leg. If you really need to go valve, you're options are going to be limited unless you have a load box with a headphone out. There are much cheaper options than the OX.

There are a ton of small, solid state/modeling amps on the market I haven't tried for headphone use and probably should have. I have a house now with a dedicated music space, so I don't have to use headphones as much anymore. I only use headphones when I'm learning new stuff and it's just easier to focus and hear whatever I'm trying to emulate. Lots of people like the Boss Katana and I've been meaning to give it a try for a new headphone amp.

Same experience as far as tube amps and Headphone taps. Varies with modellers too, THOUGH, as a general rule, I find their headphone tap range from usable to excellent. Whereas the tube amps with them ranged from awful to okay (as in the HT1RH).

All of that said, it also depends on the headphones. SOme of these Headphone jacks, tube, modeller, whatever are very impacted by the impedance of the cans.