This has been in the back of my head since this was announced. They say that their amps were rewritten in a new hx or something like that format. Just because you rewrite something doesn't mean that it's better, it just means that you rewrote it to work on a different type of processor. As far as the interface goes, my Axe sits behind a stage, I really don't care what it looks like. People who buy this thing should realize that it may never get any better than when you bought it. Fractals commitment to sound is unparalleled. I was initially excited to hear that the Helix was coming out. I thought briefly what if. Then I read everything I could find and after a ton of discussions about it. I was like, where's the clips how does it sound (proofs in the pudding after all ) I have heard maybe two clips of the whole thing. I wasn't that impressed with what I heard just yet. Good enough is just not good enough for me. I'm 48 yrs old, I want Cadillac of sound, not a Hyundai. (nothing wrong with Hyundai's, so don't write me letters)
I am definitely in the market for something smaller. I think I'll go for an Ax8 when they are released. Sometimes I just want to unplug after a service and go home. Now I wait around till the service is done to get my huge pedalboard off the stage.
Another thing that is unique that has got me, is that fastlink connector, my axe fx is in another room backstage, they just setup an xlr cable for me. It has to be at least 50ft or so away. No latency at all. I know that has nothing to do with the Helix, it kind of does with the rack mount version. Does it connect with an XLR? It doesn't matter of course. I'm kind of loyal to the brand, that continues the great service after I buy the product.
Fractal, has never steered you wrong. What they say, they do consistently. Thats all I need.