Still loving mine as well.
Was really disappointed with the FM3 and the discontinuation of the AX8 platform. The sounds of the FM3 sound great from what I hear on-line, however the smaller form-factor and loss of control buttons on the device simply makes no sense to me.
If the whole idea of the AX8 platform in the first place was to provide an all-in-one amp modeler+effects+control ability in a single floor unit, why did the AX8's successor eliminate half of the convenience of floor control ability?
Heck, even Kemper followed suit after Fractal's AX8, and FAS choice is, instead of upping their game by adding additional features (headphone out, 2nd fx loop,etc.) to their already successful AX8 platform, is to go the opposite direction and reduce usefulness to his a lower cost.
And YES! I know that with enough patience, I can figure out how to get by with just 3 buttons. . . . the problem is.... I don't want to do that. I want the convenience of having my controls at the ready, the instant I want to hit a button, not press and hold or wade through cycling function options.
Also, YES! I know I can buy an additional controller pedal board and use that with the FM3 to regain my ability to have instant access to functions, however doing so will cost more money, and necessitate taking up an even larger footprint on the floor.
Baffling.
If and when my AX8 gives up the ghost, I'll likely be going to my #2 choice of the Kemper stage vs the FM3 plus an additional pedal board.
But, based on all of the lectures I've received from FM3 fans about my concerns, I might be the only one who feels this way?