Actually, I use the VAMP-2 and a Pod Pro. I prefer the Vamp for clean sounds and the POD for distortion, but- I had all the problems you describe until I took these puppies, plugged them into a good power amp, and then into a Marshall 1X12 cab and mic'd it up. I don't think the real problem is the amp modeler, but that nothing really simulates the sound of a speaker moving air into a real mic. Another trick is to take the line out from the modeler and run it into a powered reference monitor, or a power amp and then into a passive monitor, and mic the monitor. Don't close mic the monitor as if it was a cab. Back the mic off 3-4' or so, where you would listen to it mixing. It'll sound like hell in the room, because you and the mic can't both be in the neaar field. It'll sound fine on the recording. Use a condenser, rather than the cheap dynamic that sounds so good on a cranked up cab. I don't have anything against amps, but if you give your modeler real sound in real space, I think you'll find it's better than you thought.-Richie