Recommendation: low watt valve amp
 

Hi all.
I am looking for a valve amp but on a budget.
I currently have a MIM Tele and Yamaha THR-10C - which is great for what I use it for, but I have gas and want to try a valve amp.
Unfortunately I live in Australia and they are pretty expensive over here.
I have seen a Joyo JTA-05 sweet baby 5w amp that can be delivered for AUD$229 (pretty cheap). Apparently a knock off from Fender Tweed Champ 5F1 (I don't know why this is important) with 8 " speaker and tube rectifier.
Anyway, for comparison, Bugera V5 infinium is about $530, Fender Blues Junior 3 about $1100, Blackstar HT5 about $600. That should give you an idea of what I would be paying.
What I'm trying to work out - are there any benefits to such a basic amp? No separate gain/vol knob, no tone or eq of any sort, no reverb. Only a master, which I assume means I only have a gain knob and the master is always open. If my volume is at the loudness I'm at then there is no more crunch or distortion at that 'loudenss'. But, I suppose I get the simplicity of it and learn how to use tubes and my guitar.
I expect I will continue to use the little Yammie for most practice as it does this job really well. I don't need to get really loud and will probably use this about once a month when everyone is out during the day. What do you all think - are there benefits to an amp like this or should I look for a 2nd hand Bugera?
Thanks.

I should have added - I play blues, country/blues and old school rock. No high gain or distortion needed for me. I have a Knock off tube screamer (a joyo vintage overdrive).

Holw about a Vox AC15?

Milkman one watt plus

A Vox AC10 is pretty nice, and has the controls.

Thanks for the suggestions, but Vox AC10 is $700 and AC15 is $900 over here. From reviews I have read both would be far louder than I need.
The Milkman 1 watt plus from the only retailer over here is $2790!
Can anyone comment on perceived benefits of a small amp with only a volume control? The Vox AC4tv is around $400 over here and has tone, vol and OP (I assume that's overdrive) controls, but I've read mixed reviews about it.
Here is a link to a review of the Joyo

The AC4c1 is a great amp in my opinion. It's what I have in my home. Plenty loud if need be. Has Gain, Bass, Treble, and Volume controls. I really love how it sounds.

Thanks Gmountain. The blue one over here goes for around $450. There is also a black one with 12" speaker for about $100 more. I'll look into those.
Cheers all.

I've got the blue one. Great amp.

I'm no expert but I think the benefit to a simple amp is the simplicity. The idea I think being you can crank it up and use your guitar's volume knob to control whether you are getting clean, breaking up, or crunchy tone. Although I would think you wouldn't be looking for crystal clean, more of a clean with some hair on it.

I have an amp with all kinds of knobs but I tend to play with a crunchy tone dialed in and use my guitar controls to change the sound. I'd love to get one of these small amps but would really prefer t be able to play one before I bought it. I suspect the small speaker is going to sound a little boxy, which is cool also but if you are expecting big sound with great low end it could be disappointing.

There are a few recent threads with excellent discussions on the topic. Lots of great input to be had.

have you checked into any tube amp makers in oz? you may find something that fits your needs without having to pay the bumped up import prices.

secondly, do you or a friend have the skills to build your own?

play music!

You could get an Epiphone Valve Jr. and mod it. Incredibly cheap, decently made for the price, and there are a ton of options for customization.

You should take a serious look at the Blackstar HT1R. Also, read the reviews. : )

These seem to be a favorite on TDPRI:

https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_...seq=1&format=2
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_...n=q2_2016_test

Don't know what they'd cost in Aussie dollars, but might be worth a look...