I have a HRM 50 and can achieve Marshall sounds with it. I would say as good as any pedal you're going to find. I'm suprised you aren't happy with all the different OD flavors you can achieve with the HRM.

I have been experimenting with different pedal boost circuits lately and although I have found a few cool ones (boost based on the Echoplex preamp) most the time I prefer to use the amp for all overdrive/distortion. The only other OD pedal I have on my board all the time is the Xotic BB preamp.

the only distortion pedals i use on my bluesmaster anymore are my swollen pickle fuzz and a byoc esv fuzz. the swollen pickle is a versatile pedal and can pull off some marshall chunk at lower settings along with fuzziness at the higher settings.

 But like chris i am really diggin the wide range of OD sounds i can get of the BM, especially now that i have setup the way i want (bypassed HRM the proper tubes and tone settings, etc). I can't comment on the regular HRM's settings, but i have heard that it can take pedals just as well as the Bluesmaster can

One question. Did you build this or get it from Ceriatone built and setup? The reason I ask is it's how the internal trimmers, including the internal OD trimmer are set which have a pretty big impact on how the OD will sound. I keep the back control about 11:00. But it's the relationship between the back OD control and the front Volume, Drive & Level controls that can really change up the way the OD will sound and respond. Also, the LNFB switch will have an impact too. I haven't made up my mind whether the LNFB is more impactful on the cleans than the OD.  Also, what tubes are you using?

How do you normally set your gain controls? Definitely these amps need a nice break-in period. If you're wanting the Marshall sound, I would say sticking with a Celestion type speaker would be a better thing. I have a WGS ET65, Veteran 30 combo that sounds great. It seems like most opinions around the net are that the EV12L is the speaker of choice for a D-style amp, but I'm not in such a hurry to try one out. I have played though high effiency speakers before (JBL's) with fender twins, and while they're great speakers, I'm looking for a different feel and sound from my HRM.

Were you refering to what the Xotic BB Preamp pedal is or what was the Echoplex preamp circuit I have be building is?

A good rangemaster clone would help you get those searing leads.  Keeley Java Boost can be had over at thegearpage for around $125 used. 

hi guys
i have been using the TC electronics VPD1 with my HRM50. its absolutely fantastic...like a rangemaster with some tubescreamer added in. it also has two levels of boost which are settable.


the overall sound is transparent  and most controllable. my strat sounds really alive in my hands with this pedal through the amp.

Hello hellomusic  , try the Tonehunter "Tasty Flakes". A bit expensive, but for plexi-ish sounds the real deal again. I'm using it by myself, great!!!!
www.tonehunter.de

I think the lovepedal eternity sunburst is the best TS style pedal I've tried, lots of touch sensitivity
To crisp up the sound with a little grit, I like a klon clone, and to go a little further, a providence sov-2

For a valvey nice OD, zendrive2 works well with all my amps

To add old supro style OD, which is a rare trick, a honey bee or honey bee clone will add a lot to your options, very very few pedals or amps can do these sounds

With all these, it depends on what the amp is set to, subtle pedals with feel would be pointless on an amp already set to full overdrive