Line 6 DT25 112 Review – Pro Tube Tone in a Compact Package

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Features:
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While Line 6 is a leader in solid-state modelling amps, the brand can also produce a pretty mean tube amp – as the DT25 112 combo proves. This delightful model is a celebrated collaboration between the American company and the legendary German amp builder Reinhold Bogner, promising tone, power, portability and versatility in the high-end amp market. Sounds good to us! Let’s take a closer look…

Controls

The controls for this amp are completely different from the LCD screens and myriad of buttons you’d find on more modern Line 6 modelling amps. Located on the top of the amp, you’ll find two strips of identical rotary controls for each of the two channels (which are selected via a flick switch) – drive, bass, mid, treble, presence, reverb, and volume.

Next to this is a four-way voicing switch allowing you to select the amp models, as well as switches for choosing operating classes and power tube modes. These controls are all very simple to get to grips with and feel responsive and robust.

Features

The boutique design of this amp is another break away from some of Line 6’s modern digital models, with a sophisticated black tolex case featuring black and gold stitching, logos and grille cloth. Under this sits one 12AX7 and two EL84 tubes, offering a maximum of 25 watts of power through the 12” Custom Celestion G12H90 speaker. The operating class can be changed from 25 watts/fixed bias to 10 watts/cathode biased at the flick of a switch.

The voicing switch adorning the DT25 112 is the highlight, with Line 6’s HD amp modeling technology combining with the Bogner-designed analog circuitry, allowing you to instantly change the tone of the amp to that of one of four celebrated amp voices. These comprise American clean, British crunch, class A chime and modern high-gain.

Performance

The four unique voicings and the two channels with flexible controls make the DT25 112 a very versatile tube amp indeed. It sounds fantastic and well-worthy of its high-end price tag, with tones ranging from smooth classic Fender cleans and warm British crunch, right up to beefy modern high-gain metal. As for power, it suits small performances in its combo state, although hooking it up to an external cabinet via the rear connections would give you all the power you’d need for any size gig.

While the built-in effects are minimal compared to some of Line 6’s other models, this amp easily connects to a POD HD multi-effect system via the L6 LINK interface and a single XLR cable, for a plethora of sound-shaping capabilities. The built-in Low Volume Mode is also a godsend for practicing at home, allowing you to keep the volume at an acceptable level without losing any of the tonal character.

The following video gives some great sound samples of the DT25 112 (samples begin at around 6.25).

Conclusion

This partnership between Line 6 and Reinhold Bogner is huge success, combining the versatility and tech of the former with the boutique tone of the latter. The DT25 112 is a great combo amp for the studio and home playing, although it is more than capable of enchanting an audience on stage too.

For more info about the Line 6 DT25 112, click here.
For more Guitar Amplifiers Under $1000 you might like, click here.