You won't ever get a straight answer. If you would have asked this question around 2011, there would have been only a few viable choices but still more expensive than your listed price range.
Now, there are far too many modelers and profilers out there with their own workflows, feature sets, strengths and weaknesses.
For example, if SPDIF I/O is important to you that removes a few units. Now given you stipulated a price point of 5 to 7 bills, I would agree that the Helix Stomp is probably your first jumppoint if you are looking for an all in one amp and effects solution. I wouldn't buy used the first go around in case the unit has issues. I am big on using big box music chains 'no questions asked' return policies. Most of my local stores will take anything back within 30 days..
If you are just looking for amp and cab replacement for gigging that brings in quite a few other entries.
There are some threads on here that go on for hundreds of pages with valid content and no one ever really agrees.
Each time a new offering comes out, interests are piqued and people do care to hear how that unit sits in the field of the growing number of units.
amp and cab only (keeping your price point in mind), I'll throw in Tonex pedal, Kemper Player, UA ox stomp + Lion pedals, Bluguitar AMP1, Friedman IRX.
if you want to add effects, Helix Stomp, Pod Go, (Atomic might have a unit coming out in the next year), maybe a few select other cheapos. Keep in mind that you can always dump things later.
I was always looking for a software vst solution that could be loaded into a unit. That's just me. Home record, pickup and go with the same tones. That's when Tonex piqued my curiosity but it also isn't a multi effects solution without adjoining software purchases for home or effects when playing out. It's not perfect and none are.
I guess you need to figure out your requirement list and take it from there.
In all honesty there are more and more lunch box amps integrating recording capabilities with integrated loadboxes and impulse response loaders and I'm still waiting to see if EVH will finally do something to that effect. If they put out a fully functional 5153 with a Two tones stereo out in it for 800 bucks, I'd be very interested.
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