Following the global success of the award-winning DA100 Ruby, Blackstar Amplification and legendary guitarist Doug Aldrich are proud to introduce the DA5 Ruby – a compact 5 Watt valve combo that captures the unmistakable tone, feel and personality of Doug’s signature amplifier in a format built for home, studio and rehearsal.
Developed in close collaboration with Doug Aldrich (The Dead Daisies, Whitesnake, Dio), the DA5 Ruby isn’t simply inspired by the DA100. Its core signal paths are directly derived from the flagship amplifier, delivering the same rich cleans, hot-rodded British overdrive and expressive playing feel that made the original such a success.
“I’ve always believed that great tone shouldn’t be reserved for the big stage. The DA5 Ruby changed everything for me – all the character, all the punch, all the attitude of my live rig, but something I can plug in at home and just play.” – Doug Aldrich
Unlike many low-powered valve amplifiers, the DA5 Ruby features a genuine push-pull valve power stage using a 12BH7 power valve, producing the dynamics, natural compression and touch response of a much larger amplifier. Combined with Blackstar’s Power Reduction, players can enjoy authentic valve performance all the way down to 0.5 Watts without sacrificing tone. A major contributor to the amp’s commanding voice is the brand-new Aldrich 50 loudspeaker. Co-developed and voiced with Doug himself, the custom 12-inch, 50 Watt speaker provides exceptional headroom, authority and room-filling projection that defies the DA5 Ruby’s compact footprint.
“The speaker is the secret weapon. It just has this size and weight to the sound that you don’t expect. That’s the magic.” – Doug Aldrich
The DA5 Ruby combines simplicity with versatility. Two channels and four selectable voices deliver everything from pristine American-inspired cleans to classic British crunch and Doug’s signature high-gain lead tones, while Blackstar’s patented ISF control allows players to dial between American and British tonal characteristics with ease.
For recording and silent practice, the DA5 Ruby includes Blackstar’s advanced CabRig™ DSP speaker simulator with three onboard user presets, USB-C direct recording, balanced XLR output, stereo headphone output and load protection for operation without a speaker connected. Whether recording into a DAW, practising late at night or sending a signal directly to front-of-house, players can enjoy premium valve tone without compromise.
Finished in the same striking Ruby red as Doug’s stage rig, the DA5 Ruby features premium Ruby tolex, a cast alloy Blackstar logo, brushed metal appointments and high-quality toggle switches. Every amplifier also includes a hand signed certificate of authenticity, Doug Aldrich Dunlop plectrums and an FS-16 two-way footswitch.
“It’s killer. It’s got all the tones from the original DA100 Ruby but in a 5 Watt combo and I love it so much.” – Doug Aldrich
The DA5 Ruby proves that legendary tone doesn’t need stadium volume. It delivers the sound, feel and inspiration of Doug Aldrich’s acclaimed signature amplifier in a package that players can enjoy every single day.
