Blackstar HT-5R-MkIII Baby Blue LTD

HT MKIII: the modern evolution of a Blackstar classic HT series

With the HT series ("High Tension"), Blackstar carved out a unique place: offering authentic tube feel in accessible, intuitive amps that are truly usable at low volume. The HT MKIII generation retains the spirit that made previous HT models successful (versatility, dynamics, simplicity), while adding a real bridge between the "amp" world and the "home studio" world thanks to CabRig and USB-C.
In this version, the design also evolves towards a more "boutique" aesthetic: cleaner panel, revised mini-switches, premium details... and here, a Baby Blue finish that clearly stands out on stage or in a studio corner.

A tube combo designed to progress quickly, record cleanly, and perform reliably in rehearsals

The HT-5R MKIII is a particularly smart choice if you want a versatile tube amp to work seriously at home, rehearse, record, and even play small live gigs miked or via a CabRig output. The power reduction to 0.5W allows you to keep a true tube feel (attack, compression, response) at a reasonable volume.
In terms of styles, it covers a wide range: blues and classic rock in crunch, hard rock and modern metal with tighter, more precise saturation, not forgetting solid clean tones for pedals (drive, fuzz, modulations). Guitarists such as Richard Fortus, Kai Hansen, and Reb Beach have been seen using HT-5R family models, proof of the "small format, big ideas" nature of this sound platform.

CabRig, Voices, ISF: immediate versatility without menus or hassle

The heart of the HT-5R MKIII is its "plug and play" approach: 2 channels (Clean and Overdrive) each with a Voice switch that changes the channel's DNA. On Clean, you switch from a more crisp and open American Clean to a rounder, edgier British Clean. On Overdrive, the toggle from Classic to Modern lets you go from organic drive to tighter distortion, ideal for palm muting.
The ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) control is Blackstar's signature: it adjusts the overall EQ character and response feel, ranging from a more "American" tone to a more "British" signature. Add to that an effects loop with level selector (handy for integrating delays and reverbs in the right place), a refined reverb, and you get a very complete combo without multiplying unnecessary controls.
Finally, CabRig changes the game for live and recording: you choose speaker and mic configurations (with placements and types), save them, then recall up to 3 presets directly from the amp. The result: consistent sound from gig to gig, or a clean direct take in the studio without relying on a mic in front of the speaker.

"Big" tube sound in a 5W format: from boutique clean to tight high-gain

Thanks to its ECC83 preamp and 12BH7 push-pull power stage, the HT-5R MKIII aims for a very "amp-like" playing feel: dynamics under the fingers, natural compression when pushed, and a response that truly reacts to guitar volume and pick attack. The Clean channel stays clean with nice definition, while the Overdrive delivers saturation that can be both thick and precise, ideal for riffs and leads.
Featuring a 12-inch speaker helps a lot: you get projection and low-end foundation that many "bedroom" combos lack, making the amp enjoyable in rehearsal and particularly convincing when stacking pedals. And if you need to play late or record silently, the CabRig outputs let you keep that signature without shaking the walls.

Technical specifications

Effects	Reverb, Power Amp, Mic and Speaker Simulator	Number of channels	2
Category	Guitar combo	Speaker diameter	12"
Technology	Tubes	Number of speakers	1
Effects loop	Yes	Headphone output	Jack 6.35
Amp tubes	12BH7	Color	Blue
Pre-amp tubes	ECC83	Finishing	Natural
Attenuator	Yes	Power output	5 W
Category	Amplifier

Power	5 watts	CabRig	DSP speaker simulator based on IR
Power reduction	0.5 watt	CabRig presets	up to 3 memories recallable from the amp
Preamp	ECC83	CabRig outputs	6.35mm stereo jack, balanced XLR, USB-C
Power amp	12BH7	Speaker	1 x 12-inch Blackstar Custom
2 footswitchable channels	Clean, Overdrive	Limited edition	Baby Blue
4 footswitchable Voices	American Clean, British Clean, Classic Overdrive, Modern Overdrive