DSL5CR

OWNER’S MANUAL
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of this Dual Super Lead (DSL) amplifier from
Marshall Amplification.

The DSL provides the legendary Marshall tone, allowing you to express your distinct
playing style and attitude.

From clean to distorted overdrives, the DSL 5 is a versatile all valve amp that allows
you to easily dial in the sound you desire.

This DSL amplifier not only delivers the tone you expect from a Super Lead amplifier
it is also packed with an array of features such as an effects loop, power reduction
and studio quality digital reverb.

Your DSL has been specifically engineered to sound great at much lower volumes
than its larger counterparts. This makes the amp ideal for use at home or in rehearsal
environments.

We hope you enjoy your DSL amplifier.

- The Marshall Team

OVERVIEW
The DSL 5 Combo is loaded with a 10” Celestion Ten-30 speaker chosen for its
ability to deliver exceptional tone at lower volumes.

The DSL features two foot switchable channels: CLASSIC GAIN and ULTRA GAIN.

The CLASSIC GAIN channel can deliver sparkling clean sounds through to the more
aggressive break-up of a Marshall JCM800 amplifier. The ULTRA GAIN channel
provides even more distortion and break-up for players looking high gain tone from
their amplifier.

Both channels share a passive three-band EQ, with BASS, MIDDLE and TREBLE
controls. The EQ section also features Tone Shift, which when activated reconfigures
the pre-amp mid frequencies making DSL ideal for contemporary metal tones,
especially when combined with higher gain settings.

The DSL 5 features professional quality digital REVERB and a series FX LOOP. The
LOW POWER function adds a further dimension to the DSL sound, giving you rich
valve tone at an ear-friendly volume.

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WARNING! IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
WARNING: IMPORTANT SET UP INFORMATION: This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
Before going any further, make sure that 1. When using DSL5CR with an following two conditions:
your amplifier is compatible with your extension speaker cabinet, make sure
mains electricity supply. If you have any that the speaker cabinet is of the 1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
doubt, please seek help from a qualified correct impedance rating. See the
technician – your Marshall dealer can LOUDSPEAKER guide in this manual 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference
help you in this respect. for specific information regarding that may cause undesired operation.
impedance matching (Rear Panel
MAINS INPUT & FUSE: Function #21).
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
The specific mains input voltage
rating that your amplifier has been WARNING: digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to
manufactured for is indicated on the Failure to do the above may damage provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
rear panel of the amplifier. Your amplifier your amplifier. When connecting a installation.
is provided with a detachable mains speaker cabinet make sure that you use
(power) lead, which should be connected a proper speaker cable. Never use a This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
to the MAINS INPUT socket on the rear screened (shielded) guitar cable for this installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
panel of the amplifier (Rear Panel Function purpose. interference to radio communications.
#14). The correct value and type of
mains fuse is specified on the rear panel 2. Ensure that the POWER switch is
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
of the amplifier. set to the OFF position. (Front Panel
Function #13) installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on,
NEVER attempt to bypass the fuse or fit 3. Connect the supplied mains (power) the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
one of the incorrect value or type. lead into the MAINS INPUT on the following measures:
rear panel first and then into the
TRANSPORTING YOUR EQUIPMENT: mains electricity supply. (Rear Panel
Please ensure that your amplifier is • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Functions #14) • Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
switched off, unplugged from the mains
electricity supply and all removable 4. Ensure that the volume controls on • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
cables have been disconnected from the front panel are set to zero. (Front which the receiver is connected.
your equipment before attempting to Panel Functions #3 & #6) • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
move it.
5. Plug your guitar into the INPUT jack CAUTION: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
socket. (Front Panel Function #1)
responsible for compliance could void the users authority to operate the equipment.
6. Switch the amplifier ON using the
POWER switch (Front Panel Function This device complies with CAN ICES-3(B)/NMB-3(B)
#13).
7. Turn the selected channel volume
up to your preferred level and your
amplifier is ready to play.
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE PLUGGING IN.
FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND HEED ALL WARNINGS.
KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

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FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS

DSL5CR FRONT PANEL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

1. INPUT ULTRA GAIN CHANNEL 10. BASS

Input jack socket for your guitar cable. Controls the amount of lower frequency,
Use a good quality screened/shielded 5. GAIN or bottom-end, in your sound. Turning
guitar cable to help prevent noise Controls the gain level for the ULTRA GAIN clockwise will increase the bottom-end
interference. channel. As the amount of gain increases, so making the sound fuller.
will the distortion level in your sound.
CLASSIC GAIN CHANNEL 11. DEEP
6. VOLUME When pressed in, the Deep switch adds
2. GAIN Controls the volume level of the ULTRA a resonant bass boost to your sound,
Controls the gain level for the CLASSIC GAIN channel. increasing the bottom-end making the
GAIN channel. As the amount of gain tone fatter.
increases, so will the distortion level in EQUALISATION SECTION
your sound. Tonal Note: The preamp EQ network is
7. TONE SHIFT dynamic and highly interactive. Please note
3. VOLUME Tone Shift reconfigures the preamp EQ that because of this, altering the setting of
Controls the volume level of the network adding a new dimension to one control can change the way that the
CLASSIC GAIN channel. tonal shaping. other controls behave – experiment to find
your sound.
4. CHANNEL SELECT 8. TREBLE
Press to switch between CLASSIC GAIN Controls higher frequencies of your 12. REVERB
and ULTRA GAIN channels: sound. Turning clockwise will increase Controls the overall REVERB level.
the highs making the sound brighter and
The CLASSIC GAIN channel status LED more crisp. 13. POWER
will light green to indicate that CLASSIC Mains power switch.
GAIN channel is selected. 9. MIDDLE
Controls the middle register of your
The ULTRA GAIN channel status LED sound. Turning clockwise adds girth.
will light red to indicate the ULTRA GAIN Turning anticlockwise reduces the
channel is selected. middle frequencies ‘scooping’ the
sound – this is accentuated when used in
Note: Channels can be selected using the conjunction with Tone Shift (Front Panel
supplied 2-way footswitch. Function #7).

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REAR PANEL FUNCTIONS

DSL5CR REAR PANEL

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

14. MAINS INPUT 18. AUDIO IN 20. LOW POWER

Connects the amplifier to the mains Connect an external device here to Use LOW POWER to switch from 5 Watt
electricity supply. practice with or jam along to music. down to 0.5 Watt.

Note: The MAINS INPUT socket has an 19. EMULATED OUT 21. LOUDSPEAKER
integrated fuse compartment. Ensure that Frequency compensated line level A single 16 Ohm extension speaker
the value of a replacement fuse matches the output for headphones or for connection cabinet can be connected if required.
labelling on the amplifier rear panel. You to a mixer. The DSL is equipped with The speaker socket is labelled with the
MUST ALWAYS switch the amplifier OFF a high quality emulated output using correct impedance rating: 1 x 16 OHM.
and disconnect it from the mains electricity Softube-designed studio cabinet
supply before attempting to access the fuse emulation. This ensures that your WARNING: Only ever connect a single 1
compartment. If in doubt, contact your headphone and output signal from this x 16 Ohm extension speaker cabinet. Any
Marshall Dealer. socket provide the best possible tone for other speaker configuration may stress
practice or recording. the amplifier power-stage and in extreme
15. FX LOOP RETURN cases may lead to valve and/or output
Connect the output of an external FX WARNING: When using the DSL5CR head transformer failure.
pedal or processor. for ‘silent’ practice or DI recording ALWAYS
disconnect the speaker cabinet from the
16. FX LOOP SEND amplifier’s rear panel before switching on.
Connect the input of an external FX NEVER unplug the speaker cable from the
pedal or processor. speaker cabinet while it is still connected
to the amplifier rear panel. This may stress
17. F/S the amplifier’s power-stage and in extreme
Connect the supplied 2-way channel and cases may lead to valve and/or transformer
FX loop footswitch here (PEDL-90012). failure.

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 MARSHALLAMPS.COM

Marshall Amplification plc, Denbigh Road,

Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1DQ, England.
Telephone: +44 (0) 1908 375411 | Fax: +44 (0) 1908 376118
Registered in England. Registered Number: 805676

Whilst the information contained herein is correct at the time of publication, due to its policy of constant improvement
and development, Marshall Amplification plc reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice.

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