Not to be dismissive of your experience, but there are guys on the Kemper forum who have had similar experiences with studios going from Fractal to Kemper, and a long list of artists, producers, etc, that use them. The problem with anecdotal evidence is that one can almost always cite experiences that affirm their choice. And all are valid when you take into account that every person (/studio/band/etc) and what they are looking for is different. That's one of the reasons I'm soliciting input. Obviously nothing will substitute my ability to play each device and figure out what will work better for me. But often times what appeals to us greatly right off the bat will end up showing cracks over time. I'll probably think they both sound great right off the bat. The thing I have to decide is which one will be the better long-term choice for me. So as much as some folks think this discussion is pointless, it's been very helpful as I try to clarify what the biggest hurdles/benefits of each will be for my needs/uses.
You seem to be at odds with yourself and just thinking around in circles mate.
You say you want other users experiences, but then dismiss them with a "well I bet on the KPA forum they'll say the opposite" and that it really comes down to what you think. Both quite accurate and true statements of course.
To what end though ? If no one else is you, no one else can tell you what the hurdles/benefits are ? Heck, its difficult to predict our own long-term needs much less anyone elses.
How much is really known after all these pages of this thread ? That Axe owners prefer the Axe and that for every Axe owner there is a KPA owner who thinks the opposite.
If this is such an important and agonizing purchase, with long term ramifications for you, I don't see how you can't afford to not try them both firsthand ?
I bought the Axe first, was happy with it but always wondered if the KPA maybe was better ? So I bought one and found I preferred the Axe. It cost me less money than 1 night out at the bar, and gave me the priceless benefit of knowing that I had the "right" unit for MY needs.
Buy them, try them, keep the one that you prefer.
Don't think of it as the cost of shipping, or wasted money, think of it as the cost for knowing 100%, through direct experience, you got the right unit for YOUR needs.
