Here's my opinion/I have just re-read what I wrote, I got a bit off topic, but worth a look even if only for a cheap laugh.
The j-station's strength's are the pod's weaknesses.
First of all I have a POD pro and am about to buy a J-station as well for the right price of course (and yes I would prefer a collection of tube amps but don't get into that; were talking about a budget (well I am), space, my bad back (carrying around 10 amps) etc).
Lets get one thing straight. The Pod lacks in realistic reverb. Many people have sited this as a reason for not buying it. The J-station's main selling point on the effect front is the host of reverbs it offers. They are better than the POD's (in my opinion). The J station has bass patches (the topic of the thread), the POD doesn't. The J station has acoustic patches and an auto wah, again lacking in the POD (some would argue no need for acoustic simulation (ie record an acoustic) but a nice added option (incidentaly (sp) the acoustic patches have been likened to the boss acoustic simulator (just short of the price of the J station these days; anyway); shit I'm getting lost.
The J stations distorted sounds are not up to the standard of the POD's in the main part (though maybe some exceptions) and on clean sounds; well I'm not sure yet, I'll have to see.
The bass POD has had very dissapointing reviews, many say the J station's (tweaked) bass patches are better than the bass pod altogether (I myself wanted to like the bass pod as I grew to love the pod, but they need to work on that). The sans amp bass driver was/is also an option but as I am primarily a guitarist I will compromise here.
The J station through headphones (by the way I have the same AKG's) is a weakness as it sounds particualrly muddy I have been told.
I think I'll buy the J station and put it in the effects loop of
my POD pro. I have an S/PDIF out on my POD pro also, you can use both units with a pc/via midi.
I must just again mention that I would of course prefer the 'real' thing but realistically we shouldn't be too critical of products this good for the price. The outcome in my opinion is marginal when properly used,
Krystof.