I think the DT25 sounds much better when my guitar is directly plugged in. I think it is an analogue vs digital issue. Directly plugged in , I have my analogue pickups in the same circuit with the tubes in the preamp and they have a marvelous interaction. When I connect through POD500x and L6 Link I have a digital signal going into the amp. So, I plugged into the amp and use it's effects loop to access effects on my POD500x processor.