Laney Lionheart L5-Studio

I was looking for a small, versatile amplifier (suitable for a small practice room or studio), not too powerful, not too large or heavy, with a good sound, not too expensive, and definitely not made in China. It seemed almost impossible to find such a thing. However, after extensive research, listening, and reading, I found one that meets all these criteria, and it's also reasonably priced! It's the Laney Lionheart L5 Studio, a 4-valve, 5-watt Class A Single-Ended amplifier. And, importantly, it's hand-built in England (at least, the one I have is). It uses an EL84 power valve (which I prefer to the EL34) and three 12AX7 pre-amp valves, all of high quality. This, in my opinion, is all you need to get a great sound. And for around €700, it's an incredible value, but it's also hard to give up on if that's what you're looking for. It's also very well-equipped in terms of sound control, with a very good reverb, somewhere between a spring reverb and a hall reverb. On the back, there are some surprising features: two speaker outputs, one 0.5W and one 5W - a 12dB/oct Send/Return loop with a 3-position switch - a remote control (channel selection pedal) input - an Aux In input - a Phone (headphone) output - a USB/Amp source switch - a RE-AMP SEND output - a USB connector with a DRY RECORD GAIN control - and a D.I. output with a switch for simulating a cabinet On/Off! There's no room for more! Being so well-equipped on both sides is rare, and I've never seen anything like it. In fact, it's probably the only tube amplifier that can also be used as a musical interface for a computer. And, aside from the beautiful "blue" finish (which, of course, is a matter of taste), the build quality is excellent. After trying it with various setups, with and without modulation pedals in the loop, with and without a direct guitar input, I've never been disappointed. The clean sound is really very good, a true tube clean. The crunch (overdrive) sound is also very good, with a classic British tone that is also warm and round, which I really like. Of course, it all depends on the guitar, the pickups, the pedals, etc., but in general, you'll always be satisfied. Personally, my humbucker, P90, or single-coil guitars all sound great through this amp, which is small and light but not too small: - 8.7 kg for dimensions of 42 x 19 x 18.5 cm (L x H x P). It's a beautiful, small, high-quality tube amp. I highly recommend it at this price and quality. AJM