I can relate to the OP. Years ago before I got the Axe II, I was buying amps swapping them out, using the PODXT. Once I pulled the trigger on the AXE II, and we made the huge leap from FW9 to FW10, my gas was over! UNTIL.......recently.
I been wanting the AXE III since it came out, but convinced myself that I don't want or need it. As of lately the amp fever has returned and I bought a half stack, only to find it doesnt sound like my Axe II ( I use headphones) and when I changed the tubes as one was burnt out, the amp took a shit on me.
I've had the Axe II for years, had great tone, been inspired to play for hours non stop, not one problem with it. Now I got an amp I find I'm kicking myself, when I should've just broke down and bought the Axe III. And worst case scenario I can return it. Have I bought it yet? Nope. At this point I'm finding every reason I can come up with NOT to pull the trigger. lol
I went back and read all the release notes and damn Cliff has changed/added in loads of stuff. However, my struggle is how much better does it really sound for $2000, really? I haven't seen much of any new amps being added ( a few ) and that's a selling point for me. Also, people been raving about the Axe since day one. I get it. BUT, from FW9 to FW 10 we were spot on. Here we are with another unit, 40-50 fw updates and where we at? See my point. That's the other part that frustrates me, and why I haven't jump on the Axe III. I love that Cliff works his ass off to try and improve and add what he can, but this whole "It's spot on" gets to me. If it were then why do we need updates to improve the amp modeling etc. I know the tones I can create with the Axe II or III, will destroy an amp any day of the week, for what I use it for any way. See what I go through? LOL!
I'm most likely going to buy the damn thing as I know the hours of enjoyment I would have and have had with my II. And come to realize amps for me is a thing of the past. AND I don't have to worry about soldering or swapping out tubes and something going wrong......oh how I hate thee.