Ok heres the thing....I own a podHD500x (and before that had an HD300). I've also had a DT25 amp since they came out in late 2011......
I LOVE the HD500x and the tones I can get in full amp mode. I've spent hours tweaking and building up a really useable setlist of full amp patches via monitoring headphones. Hell, I just played along to Seek and Destroy and my tone matches the original almost perfectly. I'm also getting amazing edge of breakup blues tones with my strat and Les Paul.
BUT, I've never really gelled with the DT25. For a start, its way too loud for home use in full power mode. Therefore I tend to play direct from the pod through headphones or sometimes even into the AUX in of my Yamaha THR10 via the pods 1/4 output.
When I do use the DT25 it actually sounds best in low volume mode with my "full patches" i.e. bypassing the tubes and essentially using the amp as a glorified PA system. Now, I hear you saying thats because I've spent so much time tweaking my "studio" patches. And thats a big part of this, no doubt.
However, the problem with the DT25 in full power mode (tubes engaged) is that it is essentially a different "instrument" interacting with my rig. I have created a twin set of "pre" amp patches for use with the DT25 with all other settings within the patch exactly the same as my "full" patches. What do I find? Some of those patches are ok and sound pretty like the full patch I've slaved over. But most require serious tweaking.....essentially creating a completely new patch that integrates properly with the DT25's tube section. The volume levels for a start are often wildly different...of course when you start adjusting the preamp volume within the patch that often affects gain and leads to a whole load more tweaking.
I can honestly say that even after serious tweaking of "pre" patches specifically to suit the DT25 in full power mode they still don't sound as good as the "full" studio patches with amp in LVM or even direct through headphones. At best they are just as good. Theres something wrong here- surely the tube amp should sound even better?!
The upshot of all the addittional tweaking needed is that my main perceived benefit of the DT25, having a store of patches for use in all settings- home to stage- doesn't exist. I might as well bypass the tubes and use the DT25 amp as a PA, or even just use the podHD500x for home practice and develop a completely seperate "loud" rig with another tube amp that sounds better!
So I'm now considering my options and would appreciate the wisdom of other experienced users.
Option 1: Keep the DT25 and use it in LVM as a PA system for my pod and the set of "full" patches I've cultivated so carefully. After all, I'm mainly a home player so will mainly be in LVM or using headphones for practice.
Option 2: Sell the DT25 and on my rare forrays into stage work go direct to PA. Problem is I'm then struggling for a speaker to play through for practice jams with friends which do happen now and then.
Option 3: Sell the DT25 and buy a stagesource Lt2 for home through to jams and occassional live use. That would again mean I could use all my full patches. However, an expensive rig without the perceived benefits of nice amp tubes- an all digital setup. Can the Lt2 be quiet enough for use as a monitor at home??
Option 4: Sell the DT25 and buy a nice tube amp like a Fender PRRI or Orange OR15H. Seriously tempting as I will have a lower wattage tube amp for home use with the benefits of tube "feel" and still a viable live option. But the podHD500x would be relegated to a practice tool.
All opinions and pearls of wisdom gratefully received! Thanks.
