Star Amplifiers NOVA

The amp is perfect for a great variety of players.It can easily cover sounds from vintage BLUES to '70s and modern ROCK.It has two channels, unfortunately no switching between channels or effect loop.
One headphone jack which, acording to the manufacturer, could be used for direct recording and one 1/4" jack, for connection to a 1x12" or 2x12" cabinet.
One 10" Jensen alnico speaker, which makes it sound much closer to vintage low watt US made amps, and of course, point to point Sampson quality.

I play mostly blues, so I mostly use the clean channel.Sometimes I crank it a bit, especially with my LP, it sounds unbelievably "beano".For blues, I also use the drive channel but, with the volume controls not around 7-8.For harder-heavier tones, you can turn them full and get super tone at a great overdriven sound.
I use it with a '76 strat and a 2001 CS Les Paul.
With my strat playing with the neck pickup, in the clean channel I can have TONEFULL sounds and get a bit more agressive just by playing a bit harder.It is the most sensitive amp that I have ever played.
It follows the known recipy that combines Marshall sound with a Vox preamp section.
For hard rock I use it with my LP.If you play or try one, you will notice how cleverly Sampson has designed its equalizer section.You can make it a bit cleaner, or maybe add mids with the bass and treble controls.They are very sensitive to any change you may make and deliver (honestly)a great variety of tones.
There is also a relativity between the two channels of the amp.
If you change the preamp tube of one channel, for example, you will see that the other has changed a bit too.
It's maybe the best low wattage amp that has produced from 1980 till now.
I think it's no accident I never use a drive/distortion or fuzz pedal with it.
There's no use doing that.Everything I want is already there.
I even recorded a whole album using its clean and driven tones and only an echo pedal.

I had two accidents with this amp.
The first happened when I mistakenly dropped it when I was putting it in my car.
The second was in a recording, were I had placed it facing up and it slipped and fell facing the ceiling.
Thankfully it still works OK and no sound problems at all.
Construction-wise, it is a very "solid" product.
You can see that by checking the way that the tolex is folded in the corners, or by checking the chassis and the screws that hold it.

I have no experience with customer support.
I noticed that there are no phone numbers or any contact e-mails posted in Star's website.
I don't think that, that shows a bit more "boutique" profile, than the one Sampson delivers.

I bought this amp in Easter 2006.I was searching for a low wattage amp for home use, practice and recording.I owned champs, but sold them because they sounded a bit "tired".I also have a vintage Gibson GA-5, but I wasn't feeling OK with carrying such an old and rare amp for recordings or small jams in friends' houses and getting it hit here and there...
So I was mostly looking for an amp which would be similar to all the prementioned, but with a Matchless flavour and a bit more suitable for a today's blues-rock player.
It's the best choice I've ever made for an amp.
That's why it was the only amp I used for recording an album and trust me, I have, or I could borrow stuff that many guys would envy...
In the owner manual, M.Sampson suggest experimantation with NOS tubes.
The amp originally had two JJ AXs and one Harmonix 6V6.
I replaced them with two Raytheon AXs and one Gennalex 6V6.
Maybe the best NOS combination for this amp.
WITH NO DOUBT, I recomend this amp to any blues/rock player who wants to own great tones in a small Sampson made, quality package.
Please feel free to e-mail me.

SIMPLE AMP.. SWITCHING BETWEEN CHANNELS WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE

TONS OF SOUNDS FROM SWEET SUPER CLEAN TO SUPER DISTORTION ..
THE SMALLEST ADJUSTMENT OF THE BASS OR TREBLE KNOBS MAKE A HUGE DIFFERANCE IN SOUND . I USE THE LINE OUT MOST OF THE TIME WITH THE SPEAKER UNPLUGED IN MY HOME STUDIO THROUGH BOSE HEADPHONES OR WARFDALE MONITERS .. WANTED MATCHLESS SOUND AT BEDROOM SOUND LEVELS & I GOT IT .. SOUNDS BEST WITH MY USA STRAT 2ND LES PAUL

LOOKS LIKE ITS BUILT LIKE A BRICK SHIT-HOUSE

BEEN PLAYING 25 YEARS . I THINK THIS IS THE PERFECT AMP FOR THE HOME BEDROOM /STUDIO ...GET ONE BEFORE THE PRICE GOES UP