Thomas-Hawk
Power User
That's really cool I'm using an Ultra (still... I know, get a II!) with my new Matrix Q12a powered cab (used to use a GT800FX into a cab) and sounds great, the cab is outstanding, but I'm not quite getting where I want to be. Part of the reason I still haven't gotten a II is because I always used a guitar cab and I think with the Ultra, a regular cab makes it sound plenty "real", you just lose a ton of versatility. Now going FRFR, I am realizing I need a II and I've always heard that it sounded "a bit better" or whatever, but I'm hoping/guessing that with 7.0 and beyond, it's significantly better sounding. Hopefully a big part of that difference is the cab modeling and it will be VERY realistic through my Matrix powered FRFR solution when I finally make the jump to the Axe II in the next week or two.
Thanks for the review on the XiTone, as I've always been interested and have been considering on to add as an extension cab with my Matrix Q12a (btw, I wonder what speakers the Q12a uses. I assume they're not made by Matrix and maybe they're the same Eminences). Really cool to hear that the latest Axe firmware is closing the gap so much.
I started out on the Axe II but I know Tom was an Ultra user. He could probably comment more on the difference you'd hear with an Axe II through that system as opposed to your Ultra. If the firmware updates on the Axe II are any indication of the quality improvement, I'd guess you'd be pretty happy with a II.
I only had the Ultra for a few months before making the switch to the II, so I'm certainly not an expert here. However, also being a real cab kind of guy, I wasn't fully adopting FRFR until I shot my own IRs of my cab. That's what finally sold me on FRFR. And, of course... you can only shoot your own IRs with the Axe II, so... I'm gonna steer you toward a II. :mrgreen