Blackstar Artist 30 Guitar Amplifier

[Yes] The Blackstar Fly 3 is just the right mix of sound and size. I was skeptical at first due to its size, but it is loud and covers the guitar range well. I use it with a Taylor acoustic and Fender strats with great results. I was looking for a practice amp that would fit in my gig bag, and it fits the bill.

[1] From time to time, I need the use the guitar input of my amplifier for a second microphone input - this gizmo enables me to do that withous issues.

[200 W ] I don't normally write reviews because I'm usually too busy enjoying the products I buy. But this time things are different. I feel utterly compelled to tell the world about this gem... The Marantz Model 30 is a first-class integrated amplifier straight from the hand-crafting magicians in Japan. You can feel the heft of the engineering that went into this thing. From the heavy metal remote to the weighty chassis, the smooth moving knobs and the OLED porthole, this amplifier is spectacularly built... But lets not stop there. You buy it for the sound (mostly), right? - Well, let me tell you. The Marantz Model 30 sounds heavenly, I mean seriously heavenly. Rich, lush, smooth, balanced, controlled, deep, powerful and detailed. You can listen to this thing for hours and be completely entertained; never fatiguing. And the rich detailed powerful sound-stage is absolutely mind blowing... Just be sure to set up your stuff properly (speakers) and this amp will reward you by transporting you to another dimension. No really, it's that good! - My best audio purchase ever! :)

[Plug-In Power] As a professional VO artist and narrator who's played the field for 30 years (4 national commercials), I've dabbled in mics and associated electronics rather extensively (I have a broadcast-quality home studio). I've tried a handful of the 'best' lavs along the way. The MKE 2 Gold suits my (deep baritone) voice best. This is my second purchase. Utterly reliable to the point of being indestructible. This is my second purchase; I lost my old one on an overseas engagement.

[Active 2-Way] I bought a pair of these to use with a guitar amp simulator. They sound great and allow for getting the amplifier and effects tone without having to crank up the volume to concert levels.

[Download] In 1969 I saw a solid-body electric guitar with a three-inch amplifier built into the face of the guitar. The tiny speaker was powered by a nine-volt battery inserted in the back of the instrument. Fantastic, I thought, why don't they make a suction-cup amp that sticks onto the face of the guitar? A zillion years later they did and it is fine.

[Handheld] Great mic for any kind of use. Vocals sound great as well as guitar and bass amplifier. I use this mic in my home studio and live performance.

[2 Hz to 96 kHz ] First, I purchased a model 30 integrated amplifier. Which is excellent! Then, secondly I purchased the matching sacd player and I’m glad I did! My HiFi dealer got myself an awesome deal and deposit paid. A black one was ordered and the sound is the best. The model 30 up samples normal CDs, plays sacds, may used as a dac, and has network streaming all built in. Excellent sound quality that rivals the very best!

[3.62 lb] I've owned my Marantz Model 30 integrated amplifier for about 2 years now and my opinion is absolutely definitely positive. I used this amplifier, ten hours a day, every day for months on end and it barely gets warm. I run B&W 805 Matrix speakers with a B&W PV-1 sub, connected with the high level connectors, to the amplifier's speaker terminals, as recommended by B&W. This amplifier is, in my opinion, sensational. It's sound is detailed, rich, beautifully expressive, conveying every nuance of the music in a convincing and natural way. Any stops in the music are wonderfully black, it has tone controls, which can be switched in, if I want extra hefty when listening to some of my 70s rock where the bass is recorded a bit too quietly. I've also run B&W 802 Matrix S2, with this amp and it drives them with ease. Twice, stupidly, I have accidentally connected the speaker + and - incorrectly but the amp, just quietly shut itself down with no damage. I really love this amp and could not imagine anything better and would not, ever take the risk of trying to improve on it. I wish I could get people on the Hi-Fi forum I'm on, (What Hi-Fi) to consider a Marantz Model 30 instead of their usual choices because I don't think there's anything out there that approaches this amp at this price. It sounds like an amp that costs at least twice it's price. Absolutely Sensational.

[AC Input] I was swapping XLR cables among different audio equipment feeding my studio monitors. I thought about getting or building an a/b box but after researching I learned about the Drawmer monitor controller. Now I just press buttons instead of pulling and tripping over cables. I also bought a Blackstar bluetooth receiver and added it on the back of the Drawmer. Now I can switch among my iphone on the Blackstar, my phono equipment, and my DAW audio interface. And should I add another set or two of speakers, I can. It's great. And so is B&H.