DSM & Humboldt Simplifier DLX Amp/Cab Sim 2-stars Reviews

Build quality needs improvement

This unit has unrivalled features for the price and size as well as remarkable flexibility, but after 3 months it was developing faults and after 9 months had to be returned. I'm now without it for nearly a month while it's been sent for repair.

I was using the DLX in a parallel amps config with the stereo fx loop going out via the XLRs to my audio interface. The sound quality was fantastic. Everything from sparkly cleans to heavy overdrive can be handled by this unit. The 'Marshall' tones are huge.

But, there's a but. A big one. When I opened the DLX box and took the unit out for the first time, one of the retaining nuts for a mini toggle switch fell off. Every other retaining nut was very loose and the toggle switches could be depressed simply by touching them lightly. I had to tighten them all before even powering the DLX up. I was concerned I might get an electric shock if I powered the DLX on in the condition I received it.

3 months later the red channel began playing only intermittently. Shortly after, it was only producing low volume scratchy distorted output regardless of amp model and gain setting. Shortly after that it would only output a 100% wet reverb signal, even when reverb was disabled.

So the DLX I received was in no state to be sent to a customer. The build quality may actually have been dangerous as well as inadequate. And I'm back to having to use and lug an amp around while I wait for it to be repaired. Exactly what I hoped to avoid when I bought the DLX.