Tech 21 Power Engine 60

I use it with my Yamaha DG Stomp for electric and the Yamaha MagicStomp for outthere fx. I also use the MagicStomp for pure acoustic guitar.

The PowerEngine60 is powerful enough for a full on blues band with total clean headroom.

It also amplified my acoustic/electric to performance level with no distotion, just the sweet acoustic mic modeling the way Yamaha intended it to sound like. I dig it.

If it sounds great recorded direct as in the MagicStomp, it will sound the same through the PowerEngine60. Great.

I've used this amp with a variety of gear I own. Yamaha, Line6 xt and delay, lexicon, the Roland GR33 synth, Digitech X series reverb and delay...

I got all that gear because of these amps.

And the thing is, it all sounds great. I don't even own a tube amp anymore.

The only thing that ever happened was...nothing, it's always worked.

No breakdown, no need for repair.

They already did there job.

I rate it the best poweramp/speaker cab out there. Nothing that can preserve the quality of tone from the outboard preamp as well as these cabs.

My highest rating in my gear chain.

Well thought out with post EQ and the weight and no visible chord from the front. I have two.

What else needs to be said. Just at the time I had a need for something like this I saw "finally, an amp with no tone". That ad drew me in three years ago.

It has no tone. It's open to whatever plugs into it.

It's a chameleon or more like an octopus in the way it changes.

I record direct and it really sounds the same as these cabs.

Amazing.

Holding up just fine. But I do take care of both cabs.

never needed them so that means they have satisfied their customer.

I have two but use just one most of the time.

Using two at varying distances like one close and one far can cause a
phasing problem.(one sound wave arrives at your ear a moment later)

The best way to have two amps is to use them like headphones on either side at equal distances from you. This is how Bill Frisell
has his two amp thing and he gets the best sound. One amp faces the audience the other faces him and he stands between the two.

If the phasing problem is too much trouble, just bring one cab, problem solved. No stereo fx though.

Personally if playing blues or straight up Jazz I like the one cab sound.

If playing more ambient and more ethereal types of music I prefer stereo.

But the cabs do their thing.

Real attractive, light, built well with good quality, clean power.

I have the Line6 PODxt LIVE and this is a great pairing of gear.
The POD is capable of the best in modeling but can sound real bad if going in to the front of a combo and people don't know how to adjust the POD for that.

The PE60 is my dream machine capable of reproducing the tone of my POD as well as my G&L ASAT and such.

In the end I hear touch, guitar and amp tone as if I recorded it direct. I'm so impressed with the transparancy the PE60 provides.

I've owned two of these cabs for about four years and haven't found a better sounding product except the Bose Cylindrical Speaker.

But the Bose fails on a few levels.
1. 2,000.00 just a bit steep
2. 7ft tube will not go over with "purists"
3. I like to hear where my amp is, not a 3d surround sound image

As good as the Bose sounds, PE60 also sounds great and it looks the part like a real amp. Most the time I just bring one cab to a gig and that's enough.

I dig them.

If you have preamps (I've got a Vox Tonelab and Tech21 PSA-1), this is a great powered enclosure for a guitarist. One volume control and a basic EQ.

TRANSPARENT!...exactly what you want in this case.

I've only owned it for several weeks however, I've bought many Tech 21 items over the years and their stuff has always been extremely reliable.

Many years dealing with Tech 21 and they are simply the best at responding to their customers. You send them an e-mail and normally it's been answered in 30 minutes. This has kept me coming back to them over the years...you can't beat 'em.

For my needs, this is a perfect piece of equipment. I needed an amp which would enable me to play small live gigs on occasion without breaking my bank (since most of my life is spent in the studio). Once I got my head around the concept of a powered and transparent enclosure, the idea really appealed. I am extremely well versed with my Vox Tonelab and Tech 21 PSA-1 and not having to learn how to tweak a new piece of gear was a godsend. Considering that I bought the PowerEngine on ebay for $239, this was one of the best bangs I've ever gotten for my bucks! I'm most likely going to buy another PowerEngine int he next few weeks just to complete a stereo setup. At 24lbs a unit, I'm happy to cart two of these around.

It is slightly misleading to rate features on this amp as it is merely an extension cabinet with a power amp and speaker and no pre-amp. Having said that, I give it a high rating by comparing it to other amps that try to accomplish the same thing (like an Atomic Reactor). This is a 60 watt amp with bass, mid and treble EQ as well as both XLR and 1/4" in, and XLR out. These features give it a lot more versatility than comparable amps. I can do some EQ correction as well as use the amp as a monitor while going into the house PA.

I use this amp with both electric and acoustic guitars. I run my electric through a VOX ToneLab SE and into the Power Engine. Many ToneLab owners complain of too little low end in the ToneLab and no post-EQ on the unit. This problem is solved with the Power Engine (and I do boost the bass a bit). I run my Taylor through a series of effects (Aphex pre-amp- 207, compressor, graphic EQ, chorus/reverb and Aphex sound conditioner -204) before the Power Engine. However, on really small venues, I run the Taylor direct into the Power Engine and it sounds great! In fact, I've had people come up afterwards and think their ears were playing tricks on them because they couldn't tell if the amp was on and was confused where the sound was coming from. (I guess, if there is enough space between the guitar and the amp, and the volume on the amp is set at the same level as the guitar, I'm creating a stereo effect). I might add that Tech 21 does not sell this amp as an acoustic amp. It is sold as an extension cabinet to add wattage as well and as a means of amplifying their preamps. I didn't even know when I bought it that it did such a great job amplifying my Taylor.

I haven't had it long enough to form an opinion, but it looks great (kind of neo-vintage), seems to be built well, and is solid state.

Too new to form an opinion.

Did I mention it weighs about 24 lbs? I did a lot of research trying to find an amp to go with the ToneLab SE and this is what I ended up with. However, I was so impressed with it as an acoustic amplifier that I donated my Calif. Blonde to my church. If the Power Engine was stolen, I'd drop another $250 in a heartbeat.

The weight. Man do I not miss that 75lb. thing I had before.
For me, the greatest feature is the transparency of the sound. It delivers on it's promise of "no tone" It lets your preamp do the tone thing.
Vast routing possibilities. I have two PE60's one for my Podxt, one for my MagicStomp and or my GR20 synth. In an other configuration I use my PedalRacks true bypass looping strip to combine all of my fx units in any combination I want (very very cool, John Scofield uses the PedalRack true bypass strip) The Fx I don't want to use are switched out of the chain. It all ends up with the PE60's that retain the cleanest non effected tone I've ever heard out of a power amp/cab.

I want to preserve the sounds of the preamps as much as I can.
My Podxt is hands down the best modeling device out there in my opinion. I also use the MagicStomp and a Lexicon MPX100(Bill Frisell),
Line6 delay pedal and three Digitech X series pedals. I switch between all this with a PedalRacks True Bypass Strip keeping it clean from tone sucking.
I use all this in my Korg D1200 Mark2 digital home studio direct and it sounds great. Live playing, I'll grab the Podxt and the MagicStomp
and both cabs, one for each effect device.
The cabs make it sound as good as the recording. Maybe more so because of air being moved.
And it's so portable.

I've owned them for 2-3 years, and only this weekend at a party the input was cutting out on one of them due to a much needed cleaning with Progold G5 spray.
My lack of proper maintenence.

I'd buy them again if I had to

As I am defining features, this unit is feature rich, although there are only 4 small knobs on the back of the unit to control EQ and output volume. There are many ways to use this unit though, and it's connection abilities are superb. You can chain many of these together to create a wall of sound, or you can use this as a stage monitor and take it's XLR output direct to the house's board. Or you can use a Tech21 Trademark Series (10, 60, 120, etc...) and use it on one side of the stage while putting this unit on the other side of the stage creating a very fine surround of sound. And taken in pairs, you can take any stereo preamp out there (SansAmp, POD, VAMP, J-Station, Korg, whatever's next) and have a great stereo rig that has a single preamp driving this unit's power amplification section. It has both a 1/4" and XLR inputs, and an XLR output that includes a ground lift switch to combat any potential ground loops. The EQ is incredibly useful and a small turn of a knob will yield BIG results. Someone below mentioned this unit needing reverb and I wonder if they misunderstand it's intended purpose(s). There is no preamp -- you must supply your own -- and therefore there is no reverb circuit.

The "sounds" this thing produces are very even accross the spectrum. It was designed to make whatever is plugged into it louder, and that's all. That said, the full range speaker reproduces whatever signal is passed in quite faithfully, and does not add any of it's own coloration. My chain for this setup is Tech21 SansAmp Tri-AC -> Digitech Digiverb -> Power Engine 60. With this setup, I can grab a couple of pedals, throw them in the back of the power engine, grab my guitar and go. SImple as pie, lightweight and it sounds every bit as good as my Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue or any Marshal Stack I have ever heard. I don't give this rating lightly and I have always preferred the sound of tubes in my guitar sound factory. But Tech21 has caused has me reconsider that restriction. The bass is tight, and well defined while the highs are clear and present without being "over the top". And there is NO warm up time to wait! An added plus is that you can use whatever pedals you might already hae into this "rig" and play whatever style you need.

It is a solid state unit, and unless I give it to ann airline baggage handler to move, it ought to last a lifetime.

Called Tech21 after I first got this unit to ask a question and I ended up shooting the breeze with the tech for about 25 minutes! These guys not only know their stuff, they knowhow to treat a customer. Very refreshing in this day and age.

I have been playing guitars for a LONG time, and I don't give out glowing reviews lightly. I was originally very skeptical about Tech21's approach. I have come to fundamentally dislike the digital sound, although I do understand why it is used so extensively and also I understand why other folks might just love it. But I dig Fenderish clean tone with a tight bottom end that sings with it's own voice while not overwhelming the rest of the mix with boominess. My 65 DRRI is such an amp and now I have to say that this combination as listed above also has that mojo. I just can't say enough good things about Tech21 these days!

Brand new Power Engine. On board EQ, quarter in. imput, XLR in/out with 60 watts power. Needs reverb to get a 10 from me. Of course I knew it didn't come with it. Personal preference but a feature that is utilized enough to be included. If you don't think so thats fine.

I'm using this with guitars that sport humbuckers mainly. SG Gibson, Schecter C-1 Classic and my lovely Tanara with single coils too. Now this thing on its own is neutral. The onboard EQ is capable of coloring it as needed...very good range. I just about kicked it when I turned it on and found it only got so loud on its own. I thought this a frigg'n joke. My AVT 20 killed it in volume. I thought its going back to Zzounds right frigg'n now. I tried it the next day with my Tech 21 GT2 peddle and this made all the difference for making it useable for me. With the GT2 I got plenty of volume for jamming and it was outdoing the Marshall 20 watts now. Whew! I really like the GT2 and it sounds great through the power engine. Distortions hold themselves and sound thick and full as needed. Clean is fine. Nuth'n special. For me the speaker was holding its own and it was plenty loud now. I had it EQ'd well though. I can see where ya have to watch how much base you have at high levels...thats true with any speaker though. I hate speakers farting out so we will see if I run into this too. I'm not using this for gigging though. I have other Equip. for that. Mic'd would be just fine as my set up with the GT2 creates enough volume. I wish this had reverb especially when I'm using the tweed sound on the GT2. Going to have to get a peddle for that now. I just like a wet sound sometimes. You understand.

Been playing over 20 yrs. I could see daisey chaining these things together and having a great time getting tones from whatever you put through it. I think 4 of these would be a killer stack lol. For me I wouldn't buy it again unless what I was running through it already had reverb. I like reverb that much. To me it is a necessary flavor. I think it was a good deal price wise. I already had the GT2 so I didn't need to get a separate preamp too. The GT2 makes this useable for me. Otherwise it would be going back for lack of volume.

YEAH, I KNOW I GAVE IT A "10" EVEN THOUGH IT'S DESIGNED TO DO PRETTY
MUCH ONE THING- SUPPLY TRANSPARENT POWER FOR YOUR PREAMP OR WHATEVER.
GAVE IT A 10 FOR FEATURES CUZ IT SAVED ME LOTS OF $$$$ IN THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY EXTRA $$$ FOR A BUILT IN PREAMP SECTION THAT I DON'T NEED. THANKS TECH 21, AS I KNOW YOU GUYS READ THESE FROM TIME TO TIME.

GOT A VG-88? GET ONE OF THESE. MY VG-88 HAS NEVER SOUNDED THIS GOOD.
WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO BAND PRACTICE FOR THE FIRST TIME, I WAS EXPECTING
TO HAVE TO USE THE XLR OUT TO GO INTO THE BOARD DUE TO NOT ENOUGH VOLUME. NOT THE CASE. I WAS ASKED TO TURN DOWN. I READ SOME OTHER REVIEW STATING THAT IT WAS A "BEDROOM AMP" DUE TO LACK OF VOLUME.
WELL, HE'S EITHER DEAF OR HAS A SICK POWER ENGINE. FOR THE RECORD, MY
PREVIOUS AMP WAS A MESA RECTO HALF-STACK, SO YOU KNOW I DON'T PLAY
SOFTLY. LET'S FACE IT, AS GUITARISTS WE TEND TO FALL IN AND OUT OF
LOVE W/DIFFERENT PIECES OF GEAR AND SOMETIMES EVEN SECOND GUESS OUR
NEW GEAR "DIRECTION". I WAS MOST DEFINATELY SECOND GUESSING MYSELF
GOING FROM BEING "JOE TUBE AMP" TO A VG-88/POWER ENGINE COMBO DUDE.
BY THE WAY, I'VE OWNED THE VG 88 FOR 3 YRS NOW. JUST USED IT IN THE
STUDIO AS I NEVER LIKED ITS SOUND THROUGH AN AMP. I CAME CLOSE W/THE
MESA AND A MARSHALL TSL122, BUT NOTHING LIKE THE POWER ENGINE.
I KNEW I WAS ON TO SOMETHING WHEN MY DRUMMER AND SINGER BOTH COMMENTED
ON HOW MUCH BETTER MY SOUND WAS. BETTER THAN MY MESA?! WELL, 3 PRACTICES LATER MY DRUMMER SHOOK HIS HEAD AND SAID HE STILL COULDN'T
BELIEVE THE SOUND COMMING FROM THAT LITTLE AMP. INDEED.

I'M NOT OVERLY CONCERNED. I OWN 5 OR 6 DIFFERENT TECH 21/SANSAMP
MODELS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. STILL, WILL NEVER GIG W/OUT
A BACKUP AND WHAT'S COOL IS I OWN A TECH 21 TRADEMARK 60 SO ALL I'D
HAVE TO DO IS PLUG THE VG 88 INTO THE TM60'S EFFECTS LOOP RETURN JACK
AND, WHOALA- I'VE GOT A "QUASI" POWER ENGINE. LIFE'S GOOD.

HAVE SPOKEN W/THEM AND EMAILED THEM. ALWAYS FRIENDLY/COURTEOUS AND
NEVER GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT I WAS "BOTHERING" THEM, UNLIKE SOME
OTHERS I'VE DEALT WITH OVER THE YEARS.

I READ ALOT OF REVIEWS ON HARMONY CENTRAL AND SENSE THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE TEND TO "GIVE AWAY" RATING SCORES OF 10 WAY TOO MUCH. I DON'T.
THIS IS THE REAL DEAL HERE. IT'S SMALL/WAY PORTABLE, LIGHT WEIGHT,
RELIABLE, AND DOES WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. AND DID I MENTION VERY
AFFORDABLE? AT 35 POUNDS, DO YOU THINK I MISS LUGGING MY HALF STACK
AROUND? AGAIN- THANK YOU TECH 21!!!! FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, I'VE BEEN
PLAYING FOR A LITTLE OVER 20 YEARS NOW AND HAVE OWNED/SEEN IT ALL
GEAR-WISE. I'M NOT LIKELY TO CHANGE MY LIVE SETUP FOR A LOOOONG TIME!
I'M STAYING RIGHT HERE.

2 or 3 year old (used) "Power Engine 60."
Sort of a powered speaker with some Vol & EQ controls.
XLR in & out, plus a 1/4" in.
Ground lift.
Like a TM-60 without the pre-amp/reverb, though it has sufficient gain to plug a guitar "straight in," and still get fairly loud.

It's not really made with many features. That's not the intent.
It's made to be somewhat neutral sounding for satillite or processor use.

I have used it with a Pod, J-Station, as a satilite amp for stereo, as an extension for Roland Cube-30.

Presently I'm using a Tech 21 "Classic" SansAmp with a Guild archtop Jazz guitar, using the "bass" switch, for straightahead Jazz duties: Or a "Parts-o-fender" guitar on the SansAmp "normal" setting for leads, but switched off for rhythm duties.

It gets a nice "round" guitar sound straight-in with a Fender type guitar, but really needs a processor or SansAmp when trying to get a sound with the jazzer, otherwise it sounds a bit lifeless.
With the fender style guitar (single coils, with a Rio Grande "Bastard" P-94 style bridge pickup w tone control), it sounds lively enough and twangy straight-in, but the SansAmp adds more "tweed" character for leads.

With the SansAmp Classic tweeked the right way, I can also get a nice tweed Bassman type of sound. Nice and rich. Lively.

The other processors worked great too. The Pod on "Blackplate" really DOES sound like a BF Fender, especially with some reverb (from the POD, the Power Engine has none).

Bought used.
No problems.
Tech 21 stuff I've had has always been reliable (I've had lots of Tech 21 stuff, never a problem).

Tech 21 equipment has a one year warranty, which I've never had to use.

This was used.

I started playing guitar in about 1960/'61, and have had EVERYTHING at some point or another.
Tech 21 voicings are very good, IMHO.
I especially like their "tweed" sounds and response, and alternate mostly between that and their Blackface Fender sounds for Jazz, Soul music, Blues, and general Pop and misc. sounds/styles.

I like that most Tech 21 equipment is light to carry, easy and quick to get good sounds on, and reliable.

It takes some getting used to Tech 21's approach and frequency range adjustment, but the sounds are generally crisp and the headroom plentiful.
If you're used to the SansAmp, I like it just a touch better than say, a GTR-2 or Tri-AC, because I can tweek-in that great tweed bassman sound. But there are some very transisterized sounds lurking in there too, if you are afraid of using its switch on "bass."

That's not the Power Engine's fault, it sounds great with a processor like a Pod, J-Station, or something.

I actually like Tech 21 products better than anything else out there, and have had multiple TM-60's and TM-10's, a TM-120, and various SansAmp "Classic," or regular, GTR-2, Tr-AC, etc., as well as every other manufacturer's stuff.

I like Tech 21 stuff best because it's light, reliable as concrete, and I'm sold on the sound.