Well a month ago I decided I wanted a giggable combo but with everything I want in one package rather than adding a lot of seperate xtras(tubes,digital effects,floor pedal controll,etc).

I had the Pod Xt and the Flextone II and III for quite awhile and they nearly mimicd my tube amps as well as a few models my friends have.

That is until you push the volumes around half and above where they become lost and thin IMO. Great products though and perfect for the cover band scene Im in.

I went too GC and tried out a lot of under $800 combo's both tube,SS,modelers and hybrids.

Out of the Marshalls,Peaveys,H&K's,Egnaters,etc.. I demoed extensively pound for pound the NOS MKI 112 I got had it all imo. Plus it was under 5 bills with warranty out the door.

I dont need a ton of tricked out effects but love a good Verb and the Delays arent bad at all.

The real beauty is the interactive Bogner designed Power amp imo.

It has that high $$$ sparkle that RB is known for and reacts superbly with the Pod 2.0 front end when tweaked.

And if you want some real skirt blowing action try a quality tube preamp ala Soldano,Marshall,Boogie,etc...in the preamp in on the Spider Valves loop and fire up the volumes.

I also tried the Alchemist for quite awhile and the Spider Valve and it can sound very much alike at times.

So far this amp kills all my previous tube and ss's too date for tones and flexibility.

Plus 40 watts AB sure sounds awfully close too100 watts.

I think the Vintage 30 suits the amp perfectly btw especially at gig volumes and is as loud as my 50 watt GH 50 Laney easily.

First rule with the SV imo is turn the gain down too noon or lower on most models then fire up the master and tweak.

Ive coped a close Mark III Boogie tone as well as a dead on low and hi Gain Plexi tone.

The tones are near limitless IMO.