48 here from Belgium, been using L6 from the POD2.0, but skipped all the intermediate "beans" unitl the HD500.
I used to gig with an ENGL Special Edition (E670) but was frustrated by the weight and of the soundman who always yelled to lower the volume until the beast couldn't bread anymore. Since I'm using the HD500 he only smiles!
I run in straight to the board and use a mackie SRM450 for monitoring. At rehersals I go direct into the Mackie.