Amplifiers

Introduction
Centaur Acoustic PA Model A440
AER Compact 60

Introduction

Choosing the ideal microphone or pickup for your needs is only the first part of the process of amplifying your harp. Next you need to find the right amplifier. There are, of course, hundreds of choices available. Dusty Strings has selected two amplifiers that sound great with harps, as well as almost any other acoustic instrument. While the sound quality was the primary consideration, we also looked at size, ease of use, features, and price.

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Centaur Acoustic PA Model A440

We’ve been using and selling Centaur amps for some years now and have found the Model A440 to be a very good value. It is reliable, good sounding, portable, and packed with the exact features needed by the performing harp player.

It has two channels, allowing you to hook up a vocal microphone or another instrument. Both channels have reverb and tone controls. The microphone channel can accept either balanced or unbalanced signals, and the instrument channel can be switched to accommodate different types of pickups. There is a third input channel specifically for a CD player or tape deck. A headphone jack allows you to listen silently, and there is a line output for connection to a PA system. An effects in/out jack allows you to connect external effects processors. It has a 10-inch speaker and delivers 60 watts of power. It weighs 31 pounds and measures 17-1/2 x 15-1/2 x 9-3/4 inches. The Centaur is made in the USA and is a fine value at $525.00.

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AER Compact 60

This is the amp we’ve been searching for for years! The Compact 60 has the perfect blend of qualities: crystal clear transparent sound, lots of features, small size and light weight. Get the picture? At just over 16 pounds, it is half the weight of the Centaur and one of the lightest amplifiers we’ve seen. Its small size—13 x 9-1/4 x 10-1/2 inches—means it fits almost anywhere and is very discreet in appearance.

Like the Centaur, it has two channels, one that can take either a microphone or an extra instrument, and one that accepts inputs from any kind of pickup. Warm sounding reverb and digital delay are built in, or you can hook up an external effects unit. With 60 watts of power and an 8-inch speaker, it can handle most solo instrument situations. It has a variety of outputs for connecting to other amplifiers, PA systems, and headphones. It also sports phantom power. It even has a tuner output, so you can be connected to your electronic tuner all the time while you are playing. For features, sound quality, size, and weight, the AER is a marvel of German engineering. The price is 999.00.

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Amplifiers

Contents

Introduction

Centaur Acoustic PA Model A440

AER Compact 60