Ashdown CTM-15 desktop bass amp | Review

The ultra-compact CTM-15, with its on-board Line Level Di sees the re-introduction of a classic Ashdown low wattage Tube Magnifier amplifier, now with built in load and headphone outputs for silent use. 

Plugging in the house bass, we were surprised at the volume this little 15-watt baby could throw out, not so much perhaps by the rich and full valve tones that it’s dual EL84 power stage delivers. Big fat clean tones are there for the taking, but the low wattage also means that it’s easier to drive the CTM-15 hard into overdrive if that’s what the session or gig requires.

The amp’s analogue VU meter (found on all Ashdown amps) also makes life a great deal easier as it instantly displays an accurate reading of your power amp’s output, and lets you quickly find the amp’s ‘sweet spot’. The 4- and 8-ohm speaker outputs come as standard.

Ashdown tell us that the CTM-15 is engineered to last a lifetime and is responsibly designed to be repairable down to a component level for the next 25 years. Shipping with a custom fit gig bag, we reckon makes this mini-monster the perfect studio companion.

www.ashdownmusic.com

This review originally appeared in the March 2024 issue of Jazzwise. Never miss an issue – subscribe today