Pa speakers v Amp/Cab is a personal choice. If you want to hear what the audience hears then PA speakers is the way to go. If you want traditional back line - either to carry a room or just because thats what your used to then amp/cab is the way.
If you go amp/cabs then its valve power amps or SS. Valves are generally heavier and more costly (though not always) but do add that "valve" thing which is needed in some modellers - and with 1st Gen AFXs some felt it was necessary. SS amps are generally lighter, cheaper and more reliable with less maintenance. They generally lack something - or so some people think, though some are better than others.
The Matrix came from a PA amp (like most other SS amps) but has had come features changed to suit modellers more, and also some design changes to make it work right. Its a small difference but noticeable. Its 1U, and only 3.7kg (just over 8lb) as well as having plenty of power on tap (you need an excess of power compared to valve amps to give headroom and stop your signal clipping when pushed). Its not the only solution out there, but is build with modellers in general - and the AFX specifically in mind. Its similar id guess (in how it reacts) to the Retro channel amp thats iminant, though its smaller,lighter and more powerful than that - no idea of the price for the retro channel though.
the Matrix is a clear choice in the EU where Carvin (another popular brand) is harder to get hold of, and the pricing is better (being a UK brand) - in the US is less cut and dried due to exchange rates BUT its available and supported by Tone merchants so its still attractive.
The New Fryette power amp is a 1U 40 per side valve amp - which is bridgeable to 80w mono and has a selection of "normal" and "flat" responses. Its twice the weight of the Matrix and more expensive (dont know the US price, but its around £1k so id say $1000 is the probably price point) v the matrix $700. Add to that valve replacements and the like and the Matrix still wins on a pure price to performance front. Whether the Matrix is as good as Fryette (of vica versa) will be a personal choice.
Personally, i sold a VHT 2:50:2 in favour of the matrix with my standard. it took some re-tweeking of patches but got so close to tone/feel that the weight/space saving clinched it. if money was an issue as well the Matrix would have been first choice regardless. With the AFX2 its even better as the amp sims in the 2 are a notch better. ultimately with the AFX you want that unit to produce all the valvyness with your amplification being neutral and powerful while retaining the feel. that Matrix does that and does it well.
