Marshall DSL20HR Review
Review Verdict and Summary
With two channels, all-tube Marshall circuits, and even some emulation features, the DSL series continues to produce some of the highest-value amps on the market, with the 20HR leading the way.

The DSL20HR is the follow up to Marshall's extremely popular 15H, continuing the DSL series.
New features in the 20HR (and others in the DSL series) include an effects loop, expanded EQ options, an emulated output, audio input and more wattage options.
The combination of functionality and a versatile tube-powered preamp/power amp give the DSL20 its appeal. You can get a smooth, vintage style distortion tone but you can also push the gain higher to get a modern, heavy distortion that's similar to the trademark sounds of the more expensive Marshall amp series.
Read more: Best Marshall amps
For the price tag - around $500 in most markets - it's hard to find a nicer tube amp.
Here's how I broke down the ratings for different sections:
Features | Point Value (%) | DSLHR Score | Point Total |
---|---|---|---|
1. Tubes | 15.4 | 97 | 14.9 |
2. Multiple Channels | 15.4 | 99 | 15.2 |
3. Tone/Style Diversity | 15.4 | 92 | 14.2 |
4. Three-Band EQ | 7.7 | 100 | 7.7 |
5. Reverb | 7.7 | 92 | 7.1 |
6. Trem/Vibrato (additional effects) | 3.85 | 0 | 0 |
7. High Wattage | 7.7 | 85 | 6.5 |
8. Gain at Preamp | 7.7 | 98 | 7.5 |
9. Effects Loop | 3.85 | 100 | 3.8 |
10. Headphone out | 3.85 | 90 | 3.5 |
11. Footswitchable | 3.85 | 95 | 3.6 |
12. AUX input (MP3) | 3.85 | 95 | 3.6 |
13. Multiple Speaker Jacks | 3.85 | 90 | 3.5 |
Tone Quality Bump | + 4 | 4 | 4 |
TOTALS | Cell | 95.22% |
In this chart we've used a weighted ratings system to give a detailed overview of the DSL20HR. In the "Quick Hits" section below, we've used a four simpler four-point rating system that gives broader numbers to four basic categories.
Use the ratings at your discretion, and keep in mind these are subjective, based on first-hand experience and individual research.
In the following section, we've listed the DSL20HR with a few comparable alternatives for easy browsing.
Comparison
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Amps | DETAILS | Our RATING | Shop |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Blackstar HT1 Combo | n/a | |
![]() | Marshall DSL20HR | 95.2 | |
![]() | Bugera T50 | n/a | |
![]() | Fender Blues JR Combo | n/a |
Pricing by Vendor
Price Alert Tool
Price History Tracker
Price History for Marshall DSL20HR 20-watt Tube Head
Statistics
Current Price | $799.99 | June 1, 2023 |
Highest Price | $799.99 | July 5, 2022 |
Lowest Price | $799.99 | July 5, 2022 |
Last price changes
$799.99 | July 5, 2022 |
For those wanting a sound sample, this video review does a nice job of highlighting the DSL20HR's clean and distorted tones without a lot of talking.
Below are a few stock images of the Marshall DSL, which are pulled directly from Marshall's website.





Quick Hits and Summary
IDEAL FOR: Those who already have a speaker cab they like, modern and vintage rock, basic gigging, and recording
TONE
95
VERSATILITY
92
BUILD/HARDWARE
90
COST/VALUE
90
PROS
CONS
REVIEW AGGREGATOR
Curation of reviews from Sweetwater, Reverb, and Musicians Friend
Of 70 total reviews, 67 were positive.
Tone Quality
Both channels have their own volume and gain knobs, allowing you to customize gain levels and overall output for each individual channel.
We'll break down our review between the clean and dirty channel since they both have their own unique sound.
Clean channel
Note that the clean channel on the DSL20HR is labeled "Classic Gain" while the dirty channel is labeled "Ultra Gain."
The clean tone is brisk, with a little breakup on higher volume levels. It's more reactive to your picking then what we're used to, especially when you compare to Mesa Boogie tube amps.

Volume and gain controls for both channels.
Though it's what you would expect from a classic Marshall amp tone. On the clean channel you get a lot of brightness and a sheen that seems to ring off higher notes, making the clean channel a good fit for lead guitar and melody lines, even without distortion.
We do miss some of the warmth that you have with other non-Marshall tube amps, but the briskness is something that vintage Marshall fans will appreciate.
Cutting back resonance, treble, and presence can take some of the bite out if you find the clean channel too harsh.
Dirty channel
On the Ultra Gain channel you can dial in a fuller and thicker tone, with heavy layers of distortion and a warmer tone profile that brings out more of the tube vibe. Though even with the heavier settings, you still hear a lot of the Marshall tonal signatures coming through the saturation.
Notes can sound distorted but aren't covered or without form.
As I mentioned earlier, the walk from low gain to high gain gets you from classic/vintage distortion to a more modern, almost metal distortion sounds.
While it certainly doesn't compete with monster gain amps like Mesa or the Diezel series, it's a great modern sound, given the price point and the typical vintage lean of the Marshall brand.
Palm mutes sound thick and punchy while power chords have a warm layer of distortion that rings with plenty of sustain. It's still bright, but also more percussive than we would have expected. Marshall has done a great job of getting you a lot of gain to work with while still preserving the originality of the Marshall tone and the classic appeal of the brand.
Control
As we separately analyzed the two channels, we'll also separate our control rundown between the preamp and power amp. If you need some help understanding the difference, checkout our rundown of the difference between a preamp and power amp.
Otherwise, we're just going to cover the differences in the control scheme between the two stages of amplification in the 20HR:
DSL20HR Preamp Level Controls
Marshall installs a basic three-band EQ on the preamp and the aforementioned volume/gain controls, one for each channel.
- Bass
- Middle
- Treble
- Tone Shift button
- 2x Volume (one per channel)
- 2x Gain (one per channel)

Preamp and power amp controls on the Marshall DSL20HR amp head.
Note that equalization on the preamp is universal and can't be adjusted between channels, outside of the volume and gain knobs.
Power Amp Level Controls
At the power amp, you have reverb, resonance, and presence.
- Reverb
- Resonance
- Presence
Again, these controls are universal and are not changed when the channel changes.
Cost/Value of the Marshall DSL20HR
One of the reasons we like the DSL series so much is the price point. In recent years it has hovered between $400 and $500, with used options dipping lower depending on where you look.
Here's a chart from Reverb that tracks the used pricing for the DSL20HR:

Pricing and transaction history for the Marshall DSL20HR on Reverb.
If you want the latest data, checkout the DSL20HR entry on Reverb.
Whether you buy new or used, we'd consider all of the Marshall DSL series options to be extremely high value. That would include the 40 series and the combo versions, which you can usually find listed with the DSL20HR.
You get the vibe and feel of far more expensive Marshall amps, yet without the $2000 price tag.
Is it as good as the JCM800?
No, definitely not.
However, it maintains the same flavor of the classic, more expensive options.
With the added functionality, the affordability of the series makes it an easy top choice, especially if you're looking specifically for cheap tube amps.
Best DSL20HR Context
The Marshall DSL20HR's expansion over its predecessor gives it a lot of added value and use, particularly for live gigging, practice, and recording.
An effects loop, MP3 input, high-quality onboard distortion and the existing tube circuitry give you the feel of more expensive Marshall amps with some commonly sought after practice features that are often reserved for cheaper models.
While it's most at home as a practice and lite gigging companion, the 20HR can work in just about any performance or recording situation.
Just keep in mind: If you buy the head version (the one we've reviewed here), you'll need a speaker cab.
FAQ
In this section we've answered a few frequently asked questions about the DSL amp series, and specifically the 20HR. If you have additional questions, feel free to drop those in the comments section below.
Is it a good fit for metal?
The DSL series is modeled after the more vintage Marshall tube amps, but we've always liked it because it can sound very modern and percussive. This means it can hang in metal styles, but probably wouldn't be my first choice if you're looking for a truly metal-friendly amplifier.
Does it make a good bedroom amp?
The only knock against the DSL series for bedroom jamming is that it doesn't have a headphone jack. We'd probably recommend a smaller solid state amp if you're planning for mostly indoor practice.
Read more: Best solid state amps
Is it good for recording?
We'd definitely recommend the DLS20HR for recording because it has an emulated output on the back of the amplifier, for that exact purpose. Remember, you still need to have a speaker cab connected. Don't run a tube amp without a speaker cab or a loadbox.

Speaker-emulated line out can be used for recording.
Conclusion
For a long time now, the DSL series from Marshall has been one of our top guitar amp recommendations and continues here without skipping a beat. In terms of quality and price converging, it's a fantastic value, even if you're getting just the head version and then having to add a cabinet.
While it's true you're not going to get any kind of digital modeling or effects, that's not unusual for a good tube amp.
In this scenario, we'd advise letting your pedalboard do the effects work and using the Marshall to provide a reliable base of tone. Also, the dirty channel should largely account for your distortion needs, regardless of your stylistic lean.
It can do vintage and modern with pretty much equal efficiency.
Questions & Comments
If you still have questions about the DSL20HR or our review process, feel free to leave those in the comments section below and we'll be happy to chat.
See you there.
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Written by Bobby on Amps and Roundups
Written by Bobby on Amps and Roundups
or use this with 2 x10″ 4 ohm load ( each woofer is 8 ohm and in paralell so the load is 4 ohm)
I think the same rule would apply. 4 ohm is a no go. Has to be 8 or 16.
can i use this with a 4 ohm speaker ( 1×12)
You would need to do either 1 x 8ohm, 2 x 16ohms, or 1 x 16ohm.
You can use this silently, although milage will vary…
The Emulated out is at line level, so will push headphones quite well. It uses pre-amp gain and power amp emulation so the volume knobs, presence and resonance don’t function but if the amp is on Standby, you can get a headphone signal silently. You must have a cab connected though or damage will be done!!!
Yep. Always have the cab connected, unless there’s an onboard attenuator that handles speaker load. For what it’s worth, the Mesa Mark V 25 has that.