Thanks for confirming that the effect loop is bypassed in firmware 2.0. When I said the LVM direct out is 22 db lower, I mean it is 22 db lower than the direct out in the same setting in firmware 1.2. That means for the same amp setting, same LVM mode, same guitar playing the same thing, same volume coming out from the cab speaker, the output of the LVM is 22db lower in firmware 2.0, compare to 1.2. That means for LVM mode I have to crank the master 22 db louder to be able to record a decent direct out. But hey line6, I thoght LVM stands for LOW VOLUME MODE?!? What's the point if you need to crank the LVM mode to be able to record it? Even in standby mode, when the cab is silence, I need to crank the master volume to get a good signal in the direct out (unless I crank by interface mic pre, where noise will be high). That eliminates all headroom for clean sound. Perhaps when line6 promote DT's silent recording capability, they should have said it's just for high gain sound...

And that is not all. From this document: http://line6.com/data/6/0a06434d41f050904bee355b1/application/pdf/L6%20LINK%20Connectivity%20Guide%20for%20POD%20HD%20&%20DT%20Amplifiers%20v2.10%20-%20English%20(%20Rev%20A%20).pdf

In page 4.6, it clearly stated the following:

• Low Volume Mode Off, Amp in Standby = The DT amp’s Direct Out is disabled.

• Low Volume Mode On, Amp in Standby = Direct Out signal consists of the “Full” (preamp + power amp) Amp Model with no analog amp. This is a handy option for “silent recording” while still providing the tone of a cranked amp.

• Low Volume Mode Off, Amp On (not in Standby) = Direct Out signal consists of the “Preamp” Amp Model with the analog amp.

• Low Volume Mode On, Amp On (not in Standby) = Direct Out signal consists of the “Full” Amp Model and the analog amp.

So LVM + standby off, should be a decent output transformer tapped signal in the direct out, just like when LVM is off. (firmware 1.2 is just like that, without the standby on option) So this is either false documentation, or firmware 2.0 is faulty.

And above all these, even when LVM is off, the direct out sound much more brighter, harsher and uglier in firmware 2.0 than in firmware 1.2. (see this thread for comparason http://line6.com/support/thread/91702) It sounds nothing like the real cab in firmware 2.0, while in 1.2 it sounds warm and full and comparable to the cab speaker.

I know might be ther are people who don't really use the direct out and don't find it as an issue. But since line6 advertise the 30 HD preamps (2.0 feature), LVM mode, effect loop, output transformer tapped XLR direct out for recording (which I expect no less quality than a pod output!) and silent recording, they really ought to tell customers that these features don't work together. Silent recording but no effect loop and only cranked sound; LVM direct out from output transformer but no 30 HD preamps; 30 HD preamps but horrible sounding direct out. Oh well. Not mentioning these features don't work together, is false advertisment. I, for one, buy the amp for the sum of these features, not the features in isolation.

It's not that difficult line 6 - in the next firmware version, just modify firmware 2.0 so that the direct out behave like in firmware 1.2, and add the standby direct out option. Shouldn't be too difficult?