Sorry, new to the forum. If you want to run wetdrywet with the Axe FX you would need two power amps, correct?
Well, most power amps are stereo, or more accurately, dual mono. This means two independent signals. If you're running 3 signals out of your Axe-Fx, like you normally would with a W/D/W setup, then yes you'd need another poweramp to handle that 3rd signal. If you're running into powered monitors or a mixing board, then no you won't need another poweramp. But, if you're running signal to a guitar cab or other non-powered speakers, then yes you'll need more than one stereo poweramp.
Here's a tip though: You only really
need (and that's a strong word here) true W/D/W if you're running all tube poweramps at volume so high that you're distorting the power tubes, but you also want extreme effect clarity. That is to say, if you're running FRFR speakers and not overdriving the FRFR power section, it's arguable that W/D/W will not sound different than stereo... as in your brain physically cannot perceive the difference. Personally, I have A/B'd two FRFR speakers in a stereo setup against three FRFR speakers in a W/D/W setup, and actually could not physically hear a difference. The mono image of a centrally panned amp in a stereo setup, to your brain, sounds identical to a middle-speaker speaker in a W/D/W setup outputting only an amp signal. And I say that with zero hyperbole or exaggeration.
To repeat, in a blindfold test at "loud TV" volume levels I literally could not hear a difference between a stereo setup with a center-panned amp, and a W/D/W setup with the amp only running through the center speaker.
The only reason you'd ever really want a W/D/W setup is if you're running a tube power section so loud that it's distorting and smearing the effects. If you're using an Axe-Fx into FRFR speakers, there's basically no reason to run a W/D/W setup other than the cool factor. Compared to a stereo setup of the same type, you'll get basically zero additional performance benefits out of it.
