Final verdi ct
Which multi-channel amp is the right one for you?
One thing that became clear while testing this quartet was how closely matched they are. With the exception of the PRS Sonzera 20, three of the combos have very similar features and capabilities.
Players who spend a lot of time in the studio should check out Blackstar’s HT Club 40 and Peavey’s Valveking; both have a wide range of subtle tone variation together with low power options and direct-to-desk connectivity. Marshall’s DSL40R is perfect for anyone who wants loud, aggressive modern metal sounds, and the MIDI option means it integrates well into modern externally switched effects setups. The PRS Sonzera 20 takes a different but no less tempting path, focusing on tone and dialling in the most tonal range from a relatively simple design, with huge flexibility from both channels.
Despite being the lightest and most compact, the Sonzera 20 didn’t suffer from lack of bass projection, thanks to the excellent Celestion V-type loudspeaker and PRS’S choice of lightweight, highly resonant poplar ply for the cabinet - a boutique amp secret. Despite having fewer features, the Sonzera is very versatile and amazing value for money. But whichever one of our quartet you choose, you won’t fail to be impressed by the sheer quality and feature-rich designs that typify mid-priced guitar amplification these days. All four combos are superb buys.