Hi Clint,
I walked into the local Sam Ash last Friday... and saw a Helix on display (just taken out of the box).
Immediately grabbed it. (Went there to look at 2016 Les Pauls)
To my ears, the Amp/Cab models are significantly superior to the POD HD series (and all previous Line-6 products).
If you talking ultra accurate emulation of a given mic'd rig, I think the Kemper wins.
That said, the models in the Helix are good.
Once dialed in (to suit the guitar), you can almost feel the response of the cab. Nice response to dynamics.
I just setup a simple patch for piezo pickup (to simulate acoustic guitar when playing live).
The patch consists of three items:
- Impulse-Response of a mic'd Taylor acoustic guitar (frequency response)
- Simple EQ (slight cut at 200Hz and slight boost to bottom/top
- Chamber reverb (small amount)
On the Kemper, I profiled EQ preset 2 from an Avalon U5 DI (which sounds pretty good).
This simple patch on the Helix sounds amazing! I'm literally laughing out loud while playing.
Just started programming the Helix... and figured this would be a simple patch to get acquainted.
What I didn't know is that it would be so easy... and sound so good.
Lots of folks are doing the same type of thing with the Axe-FX (including Alex Lifeson).
This is something you can't do with the Kemper.
Helix build quality and user-interface are fantastic.
Objectively, I don't think Kemper and Axe-FX users are going to start mass liquidation.
I'm certainly not ready to sell the Kemper.
But Helix is much more than "POD HD mkII". IMO, It can hold its own against the best of the best.
I want to program my own sounds, import some quality cab/mic IRs, and use Helix in rehearsal and live.
If that all goes exceptionally well... I'll think about selling the Kemper.
Early impressions? There's enough to like about Helix to make it a keeper.
Even if it doesn't completely replace the Kemper/Axe-FX, Helix can serve as advanced EFX and/or advanced remote.
If you get a Helix, make sure you're running the latest firmware.