Majoggy

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think I'll stick with running my Helix through the back of my amp. If there are no *big* differences between power amps in terms of colouration of the sound, then I'm just spending £££ on something that I don't need at present. I understand that the cab is a huge factor in how things sound - but I like my cab a lot, and it might not work for everything but that's OK. Having tested my Helix through some studio monitors I also can't really get used to the sound. I had a similar issue when I briefly owned a Torpedo Live, the sound of a miced up cab just wasn't doing it for me compared to an amp in the room. People are very enthusiastic about FRFR also and the possibilities it opens up for the Helix in terms of the different amp models and IRs - maybe I'll look into that at a later date. But for the moment I think I'll just stick to what I've got.

Pardon me, I meant the effects return. So are you saying I'd probably get similar results in the loop of any old amp then?

Hey guys, I've just bought a Helix LT and have it currently running into the Effects Out of my Engl Ironball, which is running into a Zilla 2x12. Sounds pretty decent. I was wondering whether I would get appreciably better results using a dedicated power amp such as the Seymour Duncan Powerstage 170 running into my 2x12. I understand that running the Helix using the power stage of an amp can colour the sound unnecessarily, but I have nothing to compare it to at present. I don't really have the space for a FRFR speaker, I live in a small apartment and the cab is big enough as it is.