I'm getting close to Dave, DonM and Dnj on equipment I've tried (but not quite in the I've bought catagory yet).

So yesterday the local store lets me try a Yamaha 860ST stereo powered mixer. Plenty of power but leaves much to be desired in the effects dept to me when compared to what I've been working with.

Today right now sitting beside me is a Mackie 406M. Again it has plenty of power but I'm not impressed with the effects department on this mixer either.

I've rented a Peavey 684 3 or 4 times for the outdoor Park gigs I've done and it too has power, but the effects were about the same as the two mentioned above.

Dig this: I have a $100 (ebay)35 watt per side stereo, 70 watt mono mixer. It has no effects, so I use a $55 (ebay) Nano Verb. This is what I practice with and use on Coffee Shop gigs. Last week I even used it for the 200 people 50th wedding anniversary gig.

Some people asked me to turn down the volumn. It was too loud. Friends I'm not going to get any Rap, Hip Hop or Disco gigs. My crowds will be at least 50 years of age or older. I don't think I'll get anything where I have to knock the walls down.

However, I wouldn't mind having a more powerful unit for my Park Concerts and also the up-coming Adams Mark outdoor gig with 800 people expected.

Someone solve this for me please:

RMS mixer $100 Nano Verb $55 total $155.
Mackie 406M $575.
Peavey 684 stereo $675 or so.
Yamaha EMX 860ST probably $675 or so.

Shouldn't even I, me, myself notice better sounding effects for that much money? Or is it just power that cost more? Am I wasting my time trying to find better effects for more money along with more power in a powered mixer?

The Nano Verb to me is extra work to set up with the extra cables etc. But its has 4 or 5 knobs for control and I can really get it perfectly set to my ear for what I want to hear. Shouldn't another powered mixer for 3 or 4 times the money do the same job?

Does anyone know if the newer Model Yamaha EMX 88S uses the same effects system as the EMX 860ST older model. Or is it a new improved system over the EMX 860ST.

How have you guys survived all of this stuff. One man bands should get at least $200 an hour and get paid 2 extra hours for set-up and tear-down.
MAN!!!!!
I know you guys can't take much more of my complaining so I'm gonna quit after today.