Blackstar DA100 Ruby 100-watt Tube Amplifier Head

100 Watts of Rock-ready Firepower Set to Doug Aldrich’s Specs

From founding his band Burning Rain to rocking the stage with Whitesnake and Dio, Doug Aldrich’s résumé reads like a who’s who list of hard-rock history. Now, Doug officially enters the Blackstar family with the DA100 Ruby — a twist on the HT Stage 100 MK III that Doug’s toured with for years. This 100-watt, 3-channel amplifier boasts a quartet of EL34s and three ECC83s, spitting out everything from screaming rock ’n’ roll saturation to clear and complex clean tones. Each channel sports two distinct voices to swap between, tweaking the original HT Stage per Doug’s request with additional midrange heft and a voice that captures the arena-shaking roar of an iconic plexiglass-laden vintage head. Next, a robust EQ section puts a comprehensive range of tone-shaping tools and switches at your command, including Blackstar’s patented transatlantic ISF tone-shaping knob. You also get a handy power reduction switch to run the amp at 10% power, a dual-voice digital reverb, and the ability to cop ultra-authentic CabRig speaker-simulated tones via the USB and XLR outs. To seal the deal, the DA100 Ruby comes complete with a footswitchable effects loop and a 5-way controller that can be tweaked using Blackstar’s Architect software.

Designed by Doug, built by Blackstar

So, what sets the DA100 Ruby apart from Doug’s standard and stage-proven HT Stage 100 MK III setup? First up, the amp now features a completely redesigned aesthetic, sporting a distinctive red profile in tribute to Doug’s daughter, Ruby. On the sonic side of things, Doug requested that the DA100 be outfitted with a classic plexiglass-style amplifier voice that replicates one of rock’s most iconic vintage tones. Furthermore, the amp’s midrange response has also been tweaked to result in a chest-thumping roar when dishing out power chords and rocking riffs.

Loads of top-level features

The Blackstar DA100 Ruby is replete with player-friendly features. A power reduction circuit provides you with solid, transparent attenuation down to 10% of this tube amplifier head’s rated power. Its EL34-fueled power section includes Master Volume, Presence, and Resonance controls for dialing in your overall sound. The DA100 Ruby includes a built-in digital reverb with a Dark/Light switch for added sonic versatility. You also get a footswitchable effects loop with a dedicated level switch for integrating your pedalboard and studio processors. The DA100 Ruby comes with a 5-way foot controller for complete control onstage. This controller can be dialed in using Blackstar’s Architect software, allowing you to adjust effect tails when the effects loop is switched off, set tail lengths, and more.

Cutting-edge cab sims onboard

Thanks to the DA100 Ruby’s baked-in CabRig technology, you’ll never need to mic a guitar speaker again. This state-of-the-art speaker simulation DSP allows you to choose from hundreds of microphone and cabinet combinations from within Blackstar’s easy-to-use Architect software. You can then output your CabRig signal on a 1/4-inch unbalanced or XLR balanced cable or straight to your computer-based recording setup via USB-C.