Hi all I've been reading this post with great interest and I have come to one conclusion and that is a valve amp, go buy one that you like get some pedals and move on.
when I started playing guitar I had a cheap guitar a cheap amp and I was pretty much talentless now 30 years later and after great persistence I'm a better player but through this journey I have improved my equipment and found that the better the amp the better the sound, fast forward to the year that helix was being talked about and I pre ordered one and I became the first one to get a helix in the state that I live in , when I got it home I eagerly switched it on and connected it to my audio interface and read some of the instructions that it came with and played a chord and I remember thinking what have I done? this is terrible! but I persevered and I found a few you tube posts and followed a few of those who had had theirs for a little longer than I but still not great, fast forward a little further down the line and whalla it has turned out to be my go to for all my guitar playing amp sounds and with every upgrade it just keeps getting better and better, BUT, I still love my 64 deluxe and my mesa lonestar the helix Is just a tool as is your guitar as is the amp that you use, all have learning curves all can be frustrating all can sound bad but slagging of about a product that doesn't do it for you only shows that persistence is not one of your strong points so as stated earlier go buy the amp you like get the pedals you like and be sure to let us all know where you are playing your next gig and we might show up to listen to your chosen sound and applaud you for your chose and for moving on! NOW BE GONE