POD xt sounds way better than either of those. I have an original Pod and at one time or another I have owned probably 10 other rack preamps. The POD xt is the best so far. I'm still working on my review, but it will be posted on the BBS in the next few days. You could always get a rack drawer and stick it in there. I can't say whether there will be a Pro version, but I can say it smokes the POD and POD Pro. The Alesis is old tech, and not even really in the same league.