MusicRadar Verdict
This isn’t breaking any ground in the world of modelling amps and there are a couple of areas with room for improvement, but what it does offer is decent value for money. If you’re looking for an entry point amp, but you don’t necessarily know what you’re after, this is pretty good place to start.
Pros
- +
Covers a lot of sonic ground.
- +
Mid-level drive sounds are good.
- +
Preset slots.
Cons
- -
Some amp models don't sound great.
- -
Inaccurate tuner.
- -
Effects section could be easier to navigate.
MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.
What is it?
Harley Benton's DNAFX doesn't just include modelling multi effects pedals; here we've got a 20 Watt Class-D practice modelling amp, packed full of different sounds suitable for a range of musical styles. It’s fitted with a single 8” speaker, plus you’ve got a guitar tuner on board, line input and stereo output, Bluetooth connectivity with six handy preset slots.
The amp actually takes a lot of tech from Harley Benton’s some of DNAFX multi-effects pedals that MusicRadar has tested before, but with this you’ve got everything in one handy package.
There are eight amp models – Clean, Crunch, Blues, Rock, Lead, Brown, Ultra and Metal. You’ve also got a dedicated control for modulation, which lets you choose between tremolo, chorus, flanger and phaser, and one for delay/reverb. This means you can have more than one effect running at the same time.
The six preset slots allow you to change between your own saved tones at the push of a button, though a footswitch (not included) will let you do this hands-free.
It’s hard to break new ground in the world of modelling practice amps, what with most major brands offering something versatile and affordable, so how does the AmP20 stack up against its competition?
Specs
- Price: $115 | £105 | €119
- Type: Modelling combo amp
- Origin: Made in China
- Output: 20 Watts RMS
- Speaker: 1 x 8” full range
- Channels: 8
- Controls: Amp, Drive, Bass, Middle, Treble, Modulation, Delay, Reverb, Master, Tuner/tap tempo button, Preset button
- Connectivity: Jack input, 3.5mm jack headphone output, 3.5mm line input, footswitch jack input, Bluetooth
- Footswitch: DNAFX AmP FSL-1 available, not included
- Weight: 13lbs/6kgs
- Dimensions: 333 x 346 x 202mm
- Contact: Harley Benton
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★½
The build quality is good here. The amp feels sturdy and its handle feels like it can comfortably take the 13lb weight.
All the knobs turn in measured intervals so you get a subtle bump as you alter them. There isn’t a ton of resistance to them, so if you were trying to adjust a setting quickly whilst playing, you might knock it up more than you intended.
The DNAFX AmP20 is quite light too, which is great for portability, though at only 20W, you probably wouldn’t be looking at this for gigging. It’s designed to be a practice amp at home, or for perhaps jamming with other guitarists and its build quality is certainly up to the job.
Usability
Usability rating: ★★★☆☆
No doubt to many players' delight, this amp has no digital screens, apps or menus to navigate. All sounds are dialled in via the physical controls on the combo. The first control you come across on the top panel is the amp selector; this gives you the main character of your sound. Dial up a sparkling clean tone, crushing metal sound or anything in between.
You’ve then got your drive control followed by a three-band EQ section. At the end, you’ve got dedicated controls for modulation effects and reverb/delay with a master volume finishing things up. There’s a button at the top which, when held, activates the tuner but can also be used as a tap tempo for the delay.
The tuner is a not a strong point here. It gave me a reading that said it was in tune when it audibly wasn’t. You also don’t get a reading of the note you’re playing – just whether the note is flat, sharp or in tune.
In terms of dialling in different amp sounds, the DNAFX AmP20 is really easy to use but fine-tuning the effects is less so.
The amp models are clearly labelled and all you have to do is twist the knob to get a different sound. Everything else after that is tweaking your tone.
On the effects side you choose your modulation type by scrolling the knob around and then if you want to tweak that effect, you press the button down. The LED lights around the knob then change position depending on how the effect is set.
But it can all get a little tricky. It’s a nice idea to streamline the controls by just using one knob to select your type of modulation and tweak it, but it does make things a bit awkward.
It might be more useful if the LEDs changed colour to reflect the mode you’re in, though something like that could well bump up costs
Just glancing at the amp, you might not know whether you’re choosing your effect type, or tweaking one. It might be more useful if the LEDs changed colour to reflect the mode you’re in – editing or selection.
The amp model knob, when depressed, allows you to change the volume. This doesn’t really alter the tonal character of the sound, and there’s a master volume on the amp so seems like a bit of a pointless feature.
It’s similar with the reverb – when you press the button down, you can edit how loud the reverb is. It’s not the simplest way of going about it, but being able to edit your effects is still a nice touch, even even it's one parameter.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★☆☆
whoAs a practice amp for players that want a variety of different tones, this is a great choice. From multiple clean sounds, through crunchy classic rock and bluesy tones all the way to powerful metal distortion, it can do it all.
The Blues model allows you to stray in the territory between clean and overdriven. Play softly and it will clean up, but play with a little more attitude and you’ll get some nice crunch.
Next on the amp models is the Rock model. This is actually really good. The gain knob allows for a wide scope of distortion, without things getting too heavy. It’s got character and depth to it; I played a Strat through it at first and it delivered a nice bit of thump, and even more so with an SG.
There are some models that don’t sound so good though. The cleans are ok, but generally quite uninspiring. They lack the body of a real tube amp or even some practice amps with modelling I've heard. A couple of the distorted sounds are almost unusable. They’re EQ’d in such a way that makes them sound nasally and it’s hard to dial that out with the onboard EQ section. Things can also get quite boxy-sounding on a few of the amp models.
At lower volumes though, it’s nice and clear, making it a solid choice for home players
While it's a good idea to have a noise gate built into an amp with high gain modes, the AmP20's is seemingly impossible to edit. It is set fairly low, so for most players, it will probably be a good thing, regardless as it stops unwanted hum when you’re not playing. However, if you need a really dynamic and responsive amp for metal tones, then the noise gate might be a bit of a chocolate teapot here.
In terms of volume, the amp delivers about what you’d expect from a 20W amp aimed at home use. You’d struggle to gig with it unless you’re playing at really low volumes, without a drummer.
When you start pushing the volume past around halfway, some of the sounds start rattling the cabinet a little. So, if you’re looking for something to pump out some real volume, this isn’t for you. At lower volumes though, it’s nice and clear, making it a solid choice for home players.
The Bluetooth connection also wasn’t great on the model that I tested. When using the amp as a speaker paired with my phone, the music I streamed was slightly distorted, even at low volumes.
Verdict
For a budget amp, the Harley Benton DNAFX AmP20 offers an impressive feature set without costing the earth.
The lower to mid gain settings were really impressive for the money, and it isn’t impossible to dial in a decent high gain sound either
It allows players – most likely those at the start of their musical journey – to get a variety of different tones, from clean to distorted, and experiment with effects.
Some of the sounds are not as usable as others – they’re EQ’d in an odd way and can sound quite boxy, but in my opinion, the lower to mid gain settings were really impressive for the money, and it isn’t impossible to dial in a decent high gain sound either.
Some of the editing features are slightly awkward to use, but the menu-less top panel should mean that everyone can get their basic desired sound out of it without too much fuss, or an app in sight.
MusicRadar verdict: This isn’t breaking any ground in the world of modelling amps and there are a couple of areas with room for improvement, but what it does offer is decent value for money. If you’re looking for an entry point amp, but you don’t necessarily know what you’re after, this is pretty good place to start.
Test | Results | Score |
|---|---|---|
Build quality | A typical Harley Benton production; it's plenty solid for the money. | ★★★★½ |
Usability | Effects section is a little tricky but the presets are a big help. | ★★★☆☆ |
Sounds | Impressive with mid-gain sounds especially but some of the amp models aren't as convincing – also, the tuner is not to be relied upon. | ★★★☆☆ |
Overall | A well-equipped practice amp is not news anymore, but at this price it is a worthwhile entry-level option. | ★★★½ |
Also try
Hands-on videos
Harley Benton
The Guitar Geek
Elmo Karjalainen
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.