0:00 talk (roughly transcribed below if you prefer to read whilst you listen to the playing)
4:36 cleans, 50w mode
4:49 ultra gain, od2 (50w mode)
5:52 ultra gain, od2 (100w mode)
7:07 ultra gain +TS9
7:34 classic gain, crunch
7:39 classic gain, crunch + TS9
8:30 classic gain, crunch
8:44 classic gain, crunch +octavia
10:15 ultra gain, od2 + octavia

So this is the “newest” (as of ~2018) version of the DSL100, with what seem like some improvements over previous iterations, namely better master volumes and more speaker cab options (I am not familiar with older DSLs so not too sure what else has changed or been improved). Needless to say, I really like this and the 40w 1x12 combo model - the lower wattage (20w and below) ones seem to lose a little bit of oomph and there are less EQ options, though I have only had personal experience with the DSL5 1x10 combo which wasn’t spectacular, just ok.

Why do I like this amp?
I can’t play metal to save my life, I prefer 70s jazz / fusion / rock / prog and stoner / doom etc, but I still like to chug some power chords in drop D… Also, the dirt channels are great and take fuzzes and overdrvies really well. The DSL series are great for low volume playing in my opinion. Crunch channel takes fuzz and overdrives really well as does ultra gain, however the clean channel sounds pretty fizzy with any of these. They just did a really weird thing with the high end on the clean channel

Why the 100w head?
No huge reason, basically when I pulled out the 40w chassis, I realized they are built on the same board, with the 100w simply having the wider faceplate, extra power tubes and bigger OT - but the sound is close enough to be considered the same (provided you’re aiming for the same volume). Slightly ‘Bigger’ / better cleans from the 100w, maybe.
But basically, I wasn’t using the inbuilt speaker on the combo, only my 4x12 as I tend to prefer these even at lower volume, and a used head came up for a decent price (320GBP) so I traded sideways.

How does it compare to higher end Marshalls ie SV20 or even the 1959SLP?
Won’t get as bright, less low mids, slightly more compressed, more bass but it gets very close. Better cleans from the SV provided you have reverb although the eq is harder to set right.

Warning - BASS
Resonance simulates how the cab will acoustically resonate at higher volume, works very well for bedroom volumes and is very fun but anything louder, I’d keep the bass and resonance knobs closer to zero otherwise it pushes way too much low end through the power section and starts choking up a bit (and not in a nice ‘tweedy’ way).

Misc Notes
- Reverb is meh, it’s just ok but even the cheapest reverb pedal will probably be more fun / useful
- Fx loop works well
- Cab sim / emulated out sucks

Recording setup:
Deluxe HSS strat, Amp, 1960TV cab (25w UK Greenbacks) Rode NTR, SM57, RME Fireface UCX

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