"We haven't stopped cooing every since we laid our eyes on the Matamp MiniMat. Measuring just 25cm across (a little under 10 inches), it's very much the baby bear of the family. For such a little tyke however, it has some seriously big features. First of all you have the option of high- or low-gain inputs, the former of which drives the preamp's single ECC83 tube that bit harder. You also get a footswitchable boost that works with high input only, the level of which is set with the 'boost' knob of the front panel. Even at this low price, the footswitch is included - top marks Matamp. According to company designer Dave Green, the boost is similar to what you can expect from a pedal such as the MXR Micro Amp, much loved by tube amp fans for its kick-in-the-guts punch.

Pre- and power amp levels are set using a single volume knob, and with just 2 watts on tap from a single 6V6 valve, it's of course possible to wind it up to full volume for plenty of natural valve overdrive ..."