Supro 1696RTH Black Magick Reverb Head

Historical context and positioning in the range

This amplifier follows the great tradition of all-tube combos/heads designed to offer maximum character at "musical" volume. Its 25 W Class A power aims for a highly sought balance: enough punch to play in a band while maintaining organic saturation and excellent interaction with playing dynamics (attack, palm-mute, pick nuances).

Who this amplifier is for

It is particularly suited for intermediate to advanced guitarists seeking an expressive tube amplifier capable of responding to guitar volume variations and right-hand dynamics. In the studio, it excels at capturing lively sounds with beautiful depth thanks to the reverb and tremolo. In rehearsal and on small to medium stages, its 25 W can hold its own against drums (and it is well-suited for mic'd recording). Style-wise, it feels at home in blues, classic rock, indie, garage, soul, and all aesthetics benefiting from natural crunch and vintage effects.

Features and innovations

The preamp section is based on multiple gain stages, with two channels each having its own volume control (Volume 1 and Volume 2). The EQ remains straightforward and effective via bass and treble, perfect for quickly shaping the guitar's place in a mix. A master control allows adjusting the overall level, convenient for getting tone grit without pushing the output volume to the extreme. The amp also includes reverb and tremolo with speed and depth controls, allowing anything from subtle shimmer to pronounced modulation. For on-stage control, a footswitch input in 6.35mm Jack format is provided for an optional SF2 pedal to control tremolo and reverb hands-free.

The sound

With its Class A design and 6973 power tubes, this amplifier delivers a dense, very "alive" tone with a clear attack and natural compression that highlights touch sensitivity. Clean sounds remain clear and present as long as there is headroom on the volume, then gradually shift into a harmonically rich crunch. Pushed further, it produces a thicker, vintage-character saturation that stays articulate on chords. The two channels and parallel input open interesting possibilities for stacking gain and thickening the midrange, while the reverb and tremolo instantly add an "album" dimension: depth, width, and movement without relying on a complex effects chain.

Technical specifications

Effects	Tremolo, Reverb	Number of channels	2
Category	Guitar amp head	EQ	2 channels
Technology	Tubes	Color	Grey
Pre-amp tubes	12AT7, 4 x 12AX7	Finishing	Silver
Category	Amplifier	Power output	25 W

Type	tube amplifier	Controls	Volume 1, Volume 2, Bass, Treble, Reverb, Tremolo speed, Tremolo depth, Master
Power	25 W	Inputs	2 x 6.35mm Jack (input 1+2 and 2)
Class	A	Footswitch input	1 x 6.35mm Jack (for SF2 pedal, tremolo and reverb control)
Power tubes	2 x 6973	Covering	Black Rhino Hide Tolex
Preamp tubes	4 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AT7	Dimensions (mm)	520 (W) x 476 (D) x 222 (H)
Channels	2	Weight	18 kg
Parallel input	yes