And of course I have a different nose.

I've got GR5 and Amplitube 3 plus the Overloud setup that came with X2.  Each has a mix of some very good emulations, plus plenty of just good emulations, plus a few that need some work.  Some require a bit of tweeking to get a good sound.  If you boot them up alone and then dial up any of their presets it's pretty easy to judge "Great" versus "sounds like a fake amp."
 
If I drop any of them into a mix with 6 to 10 other tracks the differences become much harder to hear.
 
That said, some of the Amplitube Fender models are scarey good no matter how much stuff you have layered on top of them.
 
Seems like, for each brand, the latest new amp model releases are always better than the early stuff.  Such as the Carvin amp in Amplitube.  Or the "hot solo" amp in GR5.  I think that each company has really learned a lot about modeling as they have gone along.  It would be nice to hear some of their first amp models completely scrapped and re-made from scratch rather than being "tweaked" in an upgrade.  I'll bet they'd sound a lot better. 

Zenwit


 It would be nice to hear some of their first amp models completely scrapped and re-made from scratch rather than being "tweaked" in an upgrade.  I'll bet they'd sound a lot better.  

This is what I believe Line6 has done, with their new HD boxes...  "Yes they are a metal box, or a floor computer," but imho, the line between actual hardware/software is way blurred here.

Anyways, "according the Line6 website," they claim to have done their largest research project in 3 - 10 years, and have provided 25 ( HD 500 ), "written from scratch," models.  IMHO, "that is new technology." 

Amplitube, Guitar Rig = Legacy modelling.

In other news:  I have tried out the new S Gear.  Its absolutely beautiful sounding in terms of articulation, and speaks, and delay and verb.  However, it is a little, "bare bones," and also for my tastes, "I can't get the modern hi-gain, that I love."  It does sound beautiful, if it has enough gain, and enough tools inside of it for anybody, "than its worth a look."  Really, really, "boutique," sound on that one.

Linear Phase

 the modern hi-gain, that I love.

Heard that. 
 
I have had a lot of fun with the Hot Solo amp model in GR5, with a little delay to add stereo width and reverb to put it in a space.  Gives a sense of having several 4x12 cabinets cranked.  This is what I really like in an amp modelling system: the ability to play with a cranked sound at a volume level that won't have the neighbors calling the cops.  There's no other way I will be able get the feel of a large stack turned up to 11, here in my home, other thanby using modelling software.

 

Oh the S Gear is amazing though!!  It is the most beautiful sounding software amp, that I have heard.  The more I play with it, the more I like it.  If it had an ultra modern, super high gain head, I'd be in heaven

I know, "the jackal," is supposed to be hi-gain, it just doesn't have quite the cutting sound, I am looking for.  I like that really, really, piercing, screeching, scorching, solid state marshall sound...

( Yeah I know, its a terrible, garbage sound. )  But I love it.

I've tried Guitar Rig 5, Amplitube and TH2. I think that TH2 has the best overall sound of the three, followed by Amplitube (primarily for crunchy blues tones) and Guitar Rig. 

Guitar Rig is hit and miss. There are a lot of amps in there and the newer ones like Hot Solo and Rammstein sound a lot better than the old ones to my ears, in fact they're excellent. However the effects in Guitar Rig are great. I'm not sure which ones come with the standalone version of GR and which ones came with Komplete Ultimate, but in terms of delays, step sequencers and all the other standards, they really are great and you can hook up some superb effects chains. Also I prefer the GUI and browser in Guitar Rig much more than in Amplitube or TH2. 

However, my opinion is going to be skewed by a) the guitar that I play (Telecaster) and b) the kind of music that I like. 

Ok..  My Guitar Rig5 Pro just came in the mail.  ( This is quite a deal, "Guitar Rig as Bonus-Ware )   Downloading/Installing

I will return with thoughts...

I have GR4, Amplitube 3 w/Fender, and Hendrix, Pod Farm Platinum 2.5, and TH2 included with Sonar Producer of those I use GR4 the most, next is Amplitube (still too heavy on memory use IMO), then Pod Farm.  Not impressed at all with TH2, it's all right but not one I'd spend money on.  In fact I'm pretty much done spending any more money on any of them, If I can't get the tone I need with what I have I'm not going to get it period. 

Dan

Amplitube 3 is pretty comprehensive. As said in a previous thread, they all come up for sale at some point. Unless it's urgent you can pick them off one by one. IK have a sale every other week now sandwiched in between iProducts launches.

It's a bit like drum software - people have their favourites.
S-Gear - great sound but doesn't have the 300 amps and 400 effects like the others.
Guitar Rig - Not quite marmite but if you like, you'll love it. GR5 is an improvement by all accounts.
Revalver - really good when tweaked. 
GTR3 - Fits in the mix well.
POD Farm - Line6 can have a Line6 sound to it. Lot's of sounds and flexibility.
Amplitube3 - Has a lot of choices and flexibility.
TH-2 - ditto

  edited for various reasons, "too many to list.