Hi all,

I've been using my HD500 as FX only using the 4 cable method with a switchblade combo. It's great as it uses the combos midi features for channell switching and I like the tone.  The one thing I've been unhappy with is the noise from the FX loop, this is a quite amp but once the HD is used there is a lot of hiss, not an uncommon problem it seems from reading around.  The other downside is, though it's possible, I haven't really explored the amp modeling of the HD, the preamp on the switch blade is tasty so why bother? I thought!

My previous setup included an xtlive into the return of a JCM800 into a 4X12. I liked this, but stopped using it when I got the switchblade, just used the switchblade with a wah.  GAS brought on the purchase of a HD500 and 4 cable madness ensued.

OK history lesson over.

The other day I went into our rehersal space, the JCM is out of action needing a retube and a bit of other work that I keep meaning to get around to. I fancied a blast of the HD through the 4x12 and spied a poweramp that we don't currently use, it's an old t-amp, no 1/4" put puts so I hobbled to gether a speaker lead with the approriate connector and pluged in.  I used full amp models but without a modeled cab.  Holy F**K it sounded great.  there's nothing like pushing a 4x12!

Ok so this leads me to a few questions.

This power amp is not really the thing for the job. So I need a power amp. The expense of a valve power amp is not appealing and I'm attracted to the Rocktron Velocity 300, gets good reviews and is very reasonably priced. So I need some opinions:

For those giging with it:

Is there enough headroom?

How much does it colour the sound?

Do you use full amps without cabs or just pre-amp modeling?

Is it a good idea to run it in stero using the 4X12's stero option or better bridged in mono?

I'm also considering a g-major 2, would lift some of the DSP limits of the HD and also it appears things like intelligent pitchshifting is more accurate, plus TC's FX are supposed to be far better than the HD's, demos I've heard sound amazing.

Can I go from the HD's outputs into the G-major and then to the power amp or does the G-major belong in the HD's loop?

Lastly in regards to programing:

I want to play around with this a bit more before I make any purchases.

I need to program at home and then review in the practise space and make final adjustments.  My thought is to use full amp modeling (certainly for the current pa power amp) and use an appropriate 4x12 cab model (my 4X12 is a standard 1960a with 75's) to program while using headphones to get me in the ball park of what I want.  Then turn off the cab model when using with the power amp and cab.  My thought is that even if say I'm using a fender model for clean sounds, putting it through a modeled 4X12 is going to sound more like what I will hear through the 4x12 live. 

Does this sound right?

I know that's a lot of questions, appreciate any feedback!

thanks