Dover DA-20 Review

[braintheory]

So I actually returned this amp to my local guitar center since I felt my Monomyth and Triple Rec Rev F/C made it unnecessary and honestly just sounded better, but this is still a very impressive amp worth discussing. It’s probably still available if anyone here is interested. Those who know me know that I very rarely get impressed with any non-vintage amps, but this is one of those few. And this is literally the only lunchbox high gain amp I’ve tried that impressed me. With how loud, big and tight it sounds I’d never guess it’s a small 20 watt EL84 lunchbox amp. I actually think it might be the 3rd tightest amp I’ve played only outdone by my Monomyth and CCV. It’s one of those amps that already sounds and feels like it’s lightly boosted and imo is better off without one. Feels really good to play, very nice saturation, good midrangey British growl, good for leads, basically ticks the boxes I look for in a high gain amp. Crunch mode also was quite good. Cleans were decent but not great imo and hard to get a really pristine clean. For a modern made amp it’s quite organic, but not gonna compete still in that regard with something like an old ‘70’s Marshall or Boogie. In some ways it reminds me of the KSR Gemini I used to have but more aggressive, tighter, snappier, more organic and more British and upper midrange-y, less low mid girth than the Gemini. I think a lot of guys here would like it a lot and it’s pretty reasonably priced imo for the quality of tone. It’s heavier than I expected it would be though for its size and wattage. Maybe that’s the trade off for its impressive sound

 

[japetus]

These amps have been getting a LOT of glowing reviews, here's another one. Do you think it has enough headroom to keep up in a band setting?

 

[fearhk213]

These have interested me as well. Have you played the 50 watter?

 

[braintheory]

These amps have been getting a LOT of glowing reviews, here's another one. Do you think it has enough headroom to keep up in a band setting?

I would think so, but maybe go for the 50 to be safe

 

[braintheory]

These have interested me as well. Have you played the 50 watter?

I have not, but I’ve heard some guys say there’s not much difference in sound. Haven’t tried the 50 myself

 

[Metlupass2]

I had one but returned it. I don't think they are worth the price new (1499) plus they are made the same place all the Victory small amps and fortin Sigil are.

They have poor communication and actually getting it from Axe Palace was also a shit show including the footswitch that's not included even though it was listed in the description from Dover.


I'll bet it sounds almost exactly like the Victory Kraken.

The DA 50 is actually probably made by them... Atleast I hope.

I am much happier with my EVH 5150 III 50 Watt 6L6.

 

[braintheory]

I had one but returned it. I don't think they are worth the price new (1499) plus they are made the same place all the Victory small amps and fortin Sigil are.

They have poor communication and actually getting it from Axe Palace was also a shit show including the footswitch that's not included even though it was listed in the description from Dover.


I'll bet it sounds almost exactly like the Victory Kraken.

The DA 50 is actually probably made by them... Atleast I hope.

I am much happier with my EVH 5150 III 50 Watt 6L6.

I found the one I had used at a guitar center, so no opinion on their communication or buying one new. I’ve not tried a Kraken or Sigil in person, but they seem to sound pretty different based on the clips I’ve heard. I definitely was also turned off to by them all looking the same and probably being made at the same place, but I put that bias aside and it sounded great

I think this sounds light years better than the 5150 III 50 watt personally or any of that series of amps, but to each their own. I find the EVH amps to sound inorganic and very compressed on the 3rd channel

I think the price is pretty fair because any other high gain amp that I liked as much or better is a lot more expensive brand new

 

[Metlupass2]

I had one but returned it. I don't think they are worth the price new (1499) plus they are made the same place all the Victory small amps and fortin Sigil are.

They have poor communication and actually getting it from Axe Palace was also a shit show including the footswitch that's not included even though it was listed in the description from Dover.


I'll bet it sounds almost exactly like the Victory Kraken.

The DA 50 is actually probably made by them... Atleast I hope.

I am much happier with my EVH 5150 III 50 Watt 6L6.

I found the one I had used at a guitar center, so no opinion on their communication or buying one new. I’ve not tried a Kraken or Sigil in person, but they seem to sound pretty different based on the clips I’ve heard. I definitely was also turned off to by them all looking the same and probably being made at the same place, but I put that bias aside and it sounded great

I think this sounds light years better than the 5150 III 50 watt personally or any of that series of amps, but to each their own. I find the EVH amps to sound inorganic and very compressed on the 3rd channel

I think the price is pretty fair because any other high gain amp that I liked as much or better is a lot more expensive brand new

Did you pay what they are asking for it now? That's definitely better than the 1499 I paid

 

[braintheory]

I had one but returned it. I don't think they are worth the price new (1499) plus they are made the same place all the Victory small amps and fortin Sigil are.

They have poor communication and actually getting it from Axe Palace was also a shit show including the footswitch that's not included even though it was listed in the description from Dover.


I'll bet it sounds almost exactly like the Victory Kraken.

The DA 50 is actually probably made by them... Atleast I hope.

I am much happier with my EVH 5150 III 50 Watt 6L6.

I found the one I had used at a guitar center, so no opinion on their communication or buying one new. I’ve not tried a Kraken or Sigil in person, but they seem to sound pretty different based on the clips I’ve heard. I definitely was also turned off to by them all looking the same and probably being made at the same place, but I put that bias aside and it sounded great

I think this sounds light years better than the 5150 III 50 watt personally or any of that series of amps, but to each their own. I find the EVH amps to sound inorganic and very compressed on the 3rd channel

I think the price is pretty fair because any other high gain amp that I liked as much or better is a lot more expensive brand new

Did you pay what they are asking for it now? That's definitely better than the 1499 I paid

I paid I think $1100 plus $35 shipping plus tax, but returned it like I said. It can seem like a lot of money for a small low wattage amp, but in terms of sheer volume it seemed every bit as loud as my 50 watt Monomyth JCM800 (maybe even a bit more) and the same features as most 100 watt heads, so I see it as being fair. I think the mini jubilee and a few other lunchbox high gainers are similarly priced. I’d easily take this over a Friedman PT unless maybe I was going for more rock type and less modern sounds

 

[RedB4Black]

Just got my DA-50 today. Killer amp. Love it. Tight, aggressive and mean. Was worried about it being 50w but it has plenty of balls. I like a lot more than the Fortin Cali I had. It did come with a foot switch too.

 

[braintheory]

Just got my DA-50 today. Killer amp. Love it. Tight, aggressive and mean. Was worried about it being 50w but it has plenty of balls. I like a lot more than the Fortin Cali I had. It did come with a foot switch too.

Nice! Congrats! Even the 20 watt version I had had lots of balls and still seemed plenty big next to my other amps, just not quite as effortless or efficient in the way it projected. Definitely is tight and mean. Never tried a Cali, but I was not impressed with the Fortin’s I tried (Natas and Meshuggah). The Dover I had was definitely a lot better than those ones

 

[Meeotch]

Sick! Please do tell more. Not much info on these amps right now but the 50 is near the top of my list. I've seen others call it the best hot-rodded brit sound to date. Strong words!

 

[braintheory]

Sick! Please do tell more. Not much info on these amps right now but the 50 is near the top of my list. I've seen others call it the best hot-rodded brit sound to date. Strong words!

Assuming the 50 is like my 20 was, I’d say it’s definitely up there, but so far I’d say the best to me for what I’d call a hot-rodded Brit sound would be my Monomyth, Wizard and my 3 channel Cameron modded Marshall. The other Cameron modded Marshall’s I had in the past were also great, but I like my Monomyth better than them, but my Cameron 3 channel mod has sounds in it that my Monomyth can’t do (different flavor). Maybe a Larry would beat them all? (haven’t tried one yet)

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Just got my DA-50 today. Killer amp. Love it. Tight, aggressive and mean. Was worried about it being 50w but it has plenty of balls. I like a lot more than the Fortin Cali I had. It did come with a foot switch too.

Damn Matt, your on a roll

 

[RedB4Black]

Damn Matt, your on a roll

One more incoming... hopefully before this weekend!

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Damn Matt, your on a roll

One more incoming... hopefully before this weekend!

???????????????

 

[RedB4Black]

Damn Matt, your on a roll

One more incoming... hopefully before this weekend!

???????????????

Omega Granophyre

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Damn Matt, your on a roll

One more incoming... hopefully before this weekend!

???????????????

Omega Granophyre

Gotchya

 

[Meeotch]

Awesome! Looking forward to your thoughts on both!!

 

[311boogieman]

Wow. Congrats on this and the Triple upgrade. Enjoy.

HNDA20D