Acoustic Image Clarus 2R

Has anybody out there tried the new AI Clarus 2R? I believe it is being marketed primarily as a guitar amp but I am interested in it because it enables you to blend microphone and piezo input without needing a separate box.

For a while now I have been able to make the microphone a significant part of my amplification, often as much as 100%, by using the Fishman bass blender with an AMT mic. I did a duo gig about a year ago with a piano player and about halfway through the first set she asked me if I was actually using the amp on the chair behind her! She couldn't tell if the sound was coming from my bass or the amp.

But the Fishman blender is a terrible product (mine has been, at least), prone to problems, no XLR input for the mic which greatly reduces the signal strength of the AMT, etc. I am longing for the day when I can toss the thing in the bay (nobody would buy it, that much I know, because I've tried to sell it to no avail).

Using a mic is very important to me because I have by the grace of God a very fine bass and I don't care what pickup you use, it distorts the sound so that there isn't that much difference between a $1500 bass and a $15000 bass.

I'm hoping the Clarus 2R will be the answer to my prayers, but I'm cautious and there is a huge (to my way of thinking) price tag on it ($999). Isn't there anybody who sells AI products at a discount?

 

That's more or less what I figured. You can't blame a guy for trying.

FYI the link:

http://www.urbbob.com/accimg.com

gives me a 404 error.