Gearank

NB: This amp has been discontinued but we've made this meta review available for anyone looking to buy it second hand.

Blackstar has grown to be a big name in the guitar amplifier industry, thanks to their versatile tones that satisfy modern players. To be specific, it is their high-gain tones that impressed players, including virtuosi players like Gus G and Fredrick Akesson, Richie Sambora and more. And this same high-gain tone is now made accessible to more players with the ID:Core Stereo 20, along with other overdrive voicings, thanks to Blackstar's ISF Tone Shaping technology, which is essentially a knob that shapes the resulting sound to either American or British amp voicings.

Features:

• Dual 10 Watts Stereo Modeling Amp
• 2x5" Speaker
• Blackstar ISF Tone Shaping (American to British Amp Voicing)
• 6 Amp Models / Channels
• Built-in Effects (Modulation, Reverb, Delay)
• Headphones Output
• Aux Input
• USB connectivity
• Weight: 11.02 lbs.

Pros

The general consensus is that this amp sounds good, good enough for appease even experts. Positive comments cits its natural sounding notes, and the amp's incredible versatility, which was implemented without confusing knobs and buttons. But it gets most of its accolade from players who love its gain/overdrive tones.

Cons

There aren't any consistent complaint about the amp, other than a few who recommend to get the bigger CORE:ID model because the pricing is not too far off.

Overall

If modern rock and metal music is what got you into guitar playing, then the ID:Core Stereo 20 will inspire you to practice longer and play better.