sb77

Got a little catty here... :mellow: Never mind. Some level headed responses too so thanks for them. For what its worth I decided to go AX-8 for now. I think it will suit my needs better for the time being mainly for the reasons I sighted at the start. If Line 6 want to tidy up some of the less complete itinerary (especially lack of MIDI sync) and add some more quality high-gain models which I am well sure it is capable of supporting I will look again. And that does not mean that I consider the Helix inferior - its just the AX-8 is a better fit for me. At the moment. :)

Always were going to be some fun replies... There are a few that are a ) wealthy enough to own both ( & good luck to them) and b ) can be objective. My particular preferences are specific - "best" high gain amps & MIDI tempo on quality delay models. I am not into quantity, I dont need yet another USB audio interface. Both devices have pros & cons. Its difficult to be objective but its a lot easier not to be biased. i don't fancy my chances asking this on the FA forum though - seen way more intelligent stuff here.

maybe contentious..... ! I am pretty much decided on a purchase of either a Helix or a Fractal product and if the latter the more affordable AX-8 (which seems to have gone up in price anyway...?) yet can't get to try either before buying. I am certain if I had both in front of me I could decide no problem based on what I hear and for me the best high quality high gain amps are almost certainly what is going to do it. I can see plenty good stuff with Helix, all adequately discussed here, and a bunch of stuff that is also not yet (if ever?) present and particularly MIDI tempo sync and a decent variety of delays. Just how the **** to make a decision on something I cannot try and at this relatively high price point is not ideal? Many of the other features (ease of use / display / control / rack or floor format ....) are easy enough to assess and compare with videos and specs and all come secondary to sound & response IMO. And this is subjective to a large degree... so that doesn't much help. Anybody that has both got any truly unbiased opinion on which of the 2 has the more "satisfying / realistic / playable " high gain amp models? I would like to buy Helix but am just not sure and that is even ignoring many of the over-zealous emotional FA fans ( which seem to be a thing there).

Appreciate we all have our priorities and nothings ever 100% for everyone but are Line 6 ever going to add tempo sync to the rather sparse variety of delay effects on Helix? Much requested in a variety of Ideascale requests but I cant see a sign that there is an intention to progress this one? It's a deal breaker for me.