Blackstar HT-5R MK3 Combo

Inspiration from Practice to Performance
Introducing the HT-5R MK III

The HT-5R MK III takes the revered design from the award-winning MkII series to new heights with incredible performance, gorgeous looks, and game-changing new features from improved voicings to the addition of our IR-based CabRig speaker simulator software.

Big Valve Tone, Small Amp

Valve amps sound best when cranked; the unique feel, dynamics, and natural compression of a valve power stage running hot is widely considered the holy grail of guitar tone. The problem is turning your 100W valve amp up to these volumes is neither practical for yourself nor your neighbors. Our HT-5R MK III, with its unique push-pull power amp, gives you this coveted valve performance at volumes suitable for home practice and recording.

Perfect for Playing & Recording

Alongside providing capture-ready valve tones at any volume, the HT-5R MK III comes equipped with a direct USB-C output which can send 2 channels (left and right) to your DAW, ensuring the easiest way to capture authentic valve tone in recordings without the need for an interface.
The best part? These amps have in-built load protection, meaning you can use them without a cabinet connected for silent practice and recording.

Tonal Options

The HT-5R MK III has 2 channels, clean and overdrive, each with 2 voicing options. With HT-5R MK III, each Voice switch introduces comprehensive circuit alterations in both the preamp and power amp to recreate authentic reference tones without compromise. This includes EQ voicing, tone stack position in the circuit, the gain, and power amp damping. Achieve diverse tonal options with the flick of a single switch!

IR-based CabRig Speaker Simulator

CabRig, our class-leading IR-based speaker simulator comes as standard in the HT-5R MK III, offering hundreds of different cabinet, mic, and room combinations. Save your favorites to three presets for easy access directly from the amplifier. Get premium valve tones into your headphones, monitors, and mixes.

What Does HT Mean?

‘HT’ stands for ‘High Tension’ and refers to the high voltages used in valve circuits like HT MK III. The HT name goes back to the very beginning of Blackstar and our first product: the HT valve pedals.

New Cabrig IR-Based Speaker Simulator Technology

CabRig is our advanced IR-based speaker simulator, delivering mic ’d-up guitar cab sounds with unparalleled detail. With zero latency and superior flexibility over IR snapshots, CabRig perfectly simulates cabinets and rooms. Dive into its software for exceptional tones via USB or headphones.

Record Without a Cabinet

HT-5R MK III has in-built load protection; this means you can use the head for direct USB recording or headphone practice without the need for a connected cabinet, making it the ultimate portable practice and recording rig.

Studio Quality Reverb

Our studio quality reverb has been referenced against the most revered vintage and modern reverb units, designed to perfectly complement guitar tones.

Patented ISF

Blackstar's patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) control shifts the response of the three-band tone stack between a US-type response at one end and a UK-type response at the other. Importantly, in between the two extremes lies an infinite number of tone choices that would be otherwise unavailable.

Pro Connectivity

To suit the home studio recording musician, HT- 5R MK III comes equipped with USB-C audio connectivity for pro-recording as well as the XLR CabRig output and 14" jack TRS Stereo.

Power Reduction Down to 0.5W

Blackstar's reliable and transparent attenuation switches the power down to 10% of the amp's rated power.
Our power reduction is achieved not by load resistors, which affect the tone in an undesirable way due to changing the output transformer/speaker reactance, but by controlling the internal working voltages of the power stage, both HT (high voltage) and bias. This limits power output without affecting the tone shaping of the output stage and feedback loop, so your basic tone remains the same, with power amp overdrive occurring at much lower volume levels, giving the feel of a small valve amp verging on meltdown.

State-Of-The-Art Voicing Circuitry

Each Voice switch makes radical and extensive circuit changes in both the preamp and the power amp, including the EQ voicing, the tone stack position in the circuit, the gain, and the power amp damping to provide unique flexibility in tonal options – all at the press of a single switch!

Two Footswitchable Channels and Voices

The HT-5R MK III comes equipped with two foot-switchable clean and overdrive voicings: On the clean, choose between a bright and pristine American setting with a solid and tight bass response or a classic British setting with looser bass response and a warmer mid-range, sensitive to your guitar output and playing dynamics.
On the overdrive, choose between a classic hot-rodded setting with medium power amp damping or a more modern setting with a strong mid-emphasized pre-overdrive boost with a looser, more aggressive sound due to reduced power amp damping.
All channels and voices are foot-switchable with the optional 2-way FS-22 and FS-16 Footswitch, resulting in a wide selection of accessible valve tones.

Full Tone, Low Volumes

The HT-5R MK III is designed to create a full sound even at the lowest of volumes. This is achieved by using a single dual-triode valve as a push-pull power stage – just like a 100W stack!

Stunning Looks

In terms of looks, we accepted no compromise. We have introduced upgraded cosmetics including premium tolex, high-quality mini toggle switches, and a cast alloy metal plate logo. Materials are usually only found on boutique amplifiers.

Killer tones and innovative features make the HT-5R MK III the ultimate studio and practice valve amp.