I had gotten a fm212r a while back.  I needed a new amp that would be giggable, but I also did not have a budget.  I don't care what anyone says, it's a decent amp, especially for the price.  I actually ended up getting a second one off craigslist for 100 bucks.  Recently, a roommate of mine gave me a cabinet that had Avatar Celestion 30s.  I had kept the cabinet around just in case I found a head I wanted, but I really just don't have the extra money laying around to do that (perhaps I would have a head if I stopped getting effects pedals).  I put Celestions in one of the amps and was able to do a side by side test.  The difference was incredible.

I've never used the onboard distortion, I purchased an Electo Harmonix, English Muff'n tube distortion pedal.

My effects set up is: EHX English Muff'n > Boss GE-7 EQ > BBE Sonic Stomp > Ernie Ball Volume Pedal >Boss Ch-1 Chorus > EHX Stereo Memory Man with Hazarai