I like the 50W when jamming in the "Garage" and smaller events but can also use in the house at 5W and still get some good tones. Bought to use and abuse and not worry about tubes when transprting. This fits the bill, can throw it the back of the Jeep with the rest of the gear and not worry PLUS, it's got an effect loop and works well with the little pedals on the little board. Good amp for a good price with an effects loop and durability. This is my 3rd BlackStar Amp. First was an HT-5R and is one of 2 practice amps at home with tubes. The other is a Fly3 (Like it better than my PigNose). Not much for "modeling" amps but am and going to buy one of the ID:CORE amps in the next few weeks to get more experience. Just need to decide which one...

As other reviewers have suggested, the electronics for this amp are similar to a more traditional tube amp, but with the gain elements being MOSFETs instead of tubes. As an analog circuit designer, I appreciate this approach; it seems that most amps marketed to beginners are digital modeling units with lots of sounds & effects, but I think an analog amp is more interesting. Both channels sound really good; I generally use the clean channel for practicing technique, and overdrive with gain around 1-2 for classic rock & alternative songs. One of my favorite features is the EQ "Infinite Shape Feature" knob. I originally thought this ambiguously-named knob was a marketing gimmick, but I found and read the patent for it, and it's actually pretty cool. It's a dual potentiometer that changes the location of the mid cut while keeping its amplitude fixed. Qualitatively, Blackstar describes this as sounding more like an American amp (counterclockwise) or more like a British amp (clockwise), and I find that it does give a really nice variety in tone. I generally leave my other EQ knobs in the same position, and adjust the ISF knob slightly depending on the song. 50W is definitely overkill for me, but I chose this model because it has a better set of features for a beginner to grow with, compared to the lower-power models. Specifically, the 5W option, reverb (the one feature that is done in the digital domain), and effects send/return. I'm excited to start adding pedals to it.

This is a great little amp that sounds good takes pedals well. This amp is very light which makes it really great.

Total newb to guitar and needed an amp I can grow with, that's great with Pedals! Found it in this Debut 50

I use this as a rehearsal amp and at gigs along with my Headrush Prime going through the effects loop with the 4-cable method. The clean channel sounds amazing with the right effects, and I use the overdrive channel setup as a "crunch" channel. Throw a clean boost on it and HOLD ON!!!

I really wanted to like this amp. I liked its looks, its features, its power, and its low price. But I felt like the clean channel lacked warmth, the overdrive channel was fizzy, and the reverb was particularly anemic. I exchanged it for a Vox AC10c1.