I'm going to start this with a statement: I have always enjoyed my axe with the exception of a period of crisis where I considered selling off my rig entirely.
Today I went to a rehearsal space to jam with a couple of guys who use tube amps. I've been playing through a live rig for the past several months and have dialed at very good rehearsal volumes. In the past, when I've played with them, volume wasn't an issue, but it always kind of felt like the axe-fx didn't have the same girth and grit that the tube amps seemed to - even when volume matched. And I know well about the speaker page so I knew it wasn't that. The axe would CUT a bit, but it just didn't seem to fill the room the way the tube guys playing did. I use 2 212 cabs with vintage 30s so I was definitely moving a fair amount of air. LOL
It got to a point where I was considering purchasing a rectoverb 50 head to run live and just use the axe for effects (reluctantly) because it just never seemed to get the same punch and power that the tube guys had.
Today, using the new FW, was the first time I've played live where not only was the tone and volume there, but the amp punched, cut, and (for lack of better terms that have already been established) felt like it was GRINDING just like the tube amps. It was immediately noticeable and the other guys, who knew I was considering an amp, just smiled and nodded along with me.
The unit just keeps getting better. It's truly amazing, and it's saving me a LOT of coin right now! HAHAHA!