I've been kicking tires for the last couple of years, and have tried some very nice acoustic amps. I've finally decided to go with the AER Compact 60. This is the same amp Tommy Emmanuel uses.
The Compact 60 lives up to it's name. It measures 13"x10"x9", and weighs 18.75 lbs. It also comes with a padded shoulder-bag which also includes a top carry-handle. This amp can also be mounted on a mic-stand using the optional adapter.
The Compact 60 is a two channel amp, and provides 60 watts of power into 4 ohms, and is capable of surprising volume for it's size. This amp was specifically designed to amplify acoustic instruments. Channel 1 features a High/Lo button(input sensivity),a "colour" button, which I believe drops the bass by 3db, and boosts the highs by 20 db. Great for finger-picking apparently. Gain is ultra-clean, and the 3-band eq controls bass(+/- 8db), sweepable mids(+/- 3db), and treble (+/- 11 db). Used in conjunction with the "colour" button, you have incredible tone-shaping capability.
Channel 2 features phantom power(30v), and accepts XLR or 1/4" connectors. This feature allows the use of of dynamic or condenser mics.
The Compact 60 has 4 built-in 32-bit effects, a warm hall reverb, a bright hall reverb, chorus with reverb, and a flanger. Quality of these effects is top-notch, and my favourite with acoustic guitar is position 3 (chorus/reverb). A "panorama effect" knob distributes the effects between the two channels(instrument/vocals). The "Return" knob, controls the intensity of the effects. Tone shaping is simply wonderful. Each channel has a "clip" indicator. It's essntial that you familiarize yourself with the controls before auditioning this amp. otherwise you'll have no idea what the amp is capable of doing. (Use that "return" button for built-in effects intensity)
Rear panel connections include phones, tuner, line-out, combo 1/4"/XLR D.I. out, effects send/ return, and a foot-switch input. Power-cord and on/off switch is located on the rear panel.
I've tried and listened to quite a few amps before deciding on the Compact 60, including a Rivera Sedona (which I love by the way), a California Blonde and Strawberry Blonde, Fender Acoustasonic, Crate Telluride series, Fishman LoudBox, Trace Elliot, Genz-Benz Shenandoah 200 Acoustic Pro,to name a few. I could probably live with a few of those amps (especially the Rivera). I've also tried the AER Acousticube IIa. Wonderful amp.
To me, the AER Compact 60 provides great sound quality and tone-shaping capability, in an easy to transport enclosure. It's not cheap, but this is one heck of an amplifier, and in my opinion, offers terrific value for the money. Manufactured in Germany, and designed by Houbert Digital Audio (Swiss I believe). If you're unfamiliar with Houbert Digital Audio, do a search for "FM Acoustics". You'll understand why this amp is so highly regarded.
http://www.aer-amps.de/Sites/sites_ENG/ ... pact60.htm
http://www.aer-amps.de/pdf/ENGLISH/CPT2_MAN_UK_0211.pdf
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/revi ... ct+60/10/1