Best Amp Modeler for Headphones Under $500

[vino_buono]

I'll throw another option, with a caveat that I have ordered the product but it hasn't been delivered yet, so I have no first-hand experience (yet).

That said, the Two Notes Opus has preamp sims, power amp sims and IR loading, plus reverb and eq, DI out, headphones out and aux in. It is not a fully fledged modeler like some of those mentioned in the previous posts, but it's cheaper (269 €) and what it does it does great. I plan to use it for power amp sims and IR loading, but it may as well serve as a backup rig for a gig.

For you, it could be something that you would still keep around if you choose to go with another more powerful modeler down the road. If your plan is to stick with a single unit for some time, then it may be a bit limiting.

 

[newpedals]

I'll throw another option, with a caveat that I have ordered the product but it hasn't been delivered yet, so I have no first-hand experience (yet).

That said, the Two Notes Opus has preamp sims, power amp sims and IR loading, plus reverb and eq, DI out, headphones out and aux in. It is not a fully fledged modeler like some of those mentioned in the previous posts, but it's cheaper (269 €) and what it does it does great. I plan to use it for power amp sims and IR loading, but it may as well serve as a backup rig for a gig.

For you, it could be something that you would still keep around if you choose to go with another more powerful modeler down the road. If your plan is to stick with a single unit for some time, then it may be a bit limiting.

1. Nux Amp Academy (If you are on a budget)
2. TC Amp Simulator pedal series has a few models
(JIMS 800, Combo Deluxe 65 etc.)

 

[andream404]

2. TC Amp Simulator pedal series has a few models
(JIMS 800, Combo Deluxe 65 etc.)

No loop here and no effects

 

[Sascha Franck]

Take a look at gt1000 core.

Same tones as the GX, which he didn't like.

 

[Elric]

Saw the thread title and thought 'Used AxeFx Ultra'.

 

[andream404]

Ok… i bought dimehead nam player. Gas is gas

 

[nikitasius]

Same tones as the GX, which he didn't like.

I doubt that it sounds the same w/ 96kHz vs 48kHz sampling for signal. Also there are some reviews where "on identical setups" they sounds different as is.

 

[nikitasius]

Ok… i bought dimehead nam player. Gas is gas

I don't want to be a dirkhead, but as you're THE CLIENT from now, could you ask them please to share the specs with you and share them with us?..

 

[Sascha Franck]

I doubt that it sounds the same w/ 96kHz vs 48kHz sampling for signal.

And I doubt many people outside of Batman would be able to clearly spot the differences.

 

[nikitasius]

And I doubt many people outside of Batman would be able to clearly spot the differences.

It's not about what you can hear it's about conversion

An ADC takes a continuous analog signal and converts it to a discrete digital signal by taking samples that represent the signal’s amplitude at specific points in time. The sample rate (or sampling rate) is the number of samples taken per second.

 

[Sascha Franck]

It's not about what you can hear

What? People usually listen to my music with their ears, not with some analyzer.

 

[nikitasius]

What? People usually listen to my music with their ears, not with some analyzer.

they listen your music w/ their ears and that music contain some FXs and other fancy things from your GT-1000 right?

 

[Sascha Franck]

they listen your music w/ their ears and that music contain some FXs and other fancy things from your GT-1000 right?

Yes. So what? You are absolutely obsessed with technical minutiae. I'm not. As easy as that. And fortunately.

 

[EOengineer]

Perhaps not as full featured as other options but I still think the NUX mighty plug is a steal at $100. Not sure if there’s a way to rig up Bluetooth MIDI control though.

 

[HomespunEffects]

I know you said you didn't like Tonex but I use the Tonex One with headphones all the time. Even the stock profiles are really good.

 

[nikitasius]

Yes. So what? You are absolutely obsessed with technical minutiae. I'm not. As easy as that. And fortunately.

You have the reading issues.
Imagine that you play an analog music. And hell yeah, you're smart enough to use the digital processing (or at least you're trying)!
Howtf your Boss unit will understand you? via ADC. It takes your analog and slice it into samples. It can slice it into 2k pieces and you will sounds like Britney or into 96k pieces and you will sounds like Satriani. Once it sliced your music (or the sounds you throw into your GT1000) the module have to process it in realtime ideally (so it have small latency 2ms +-).
But, as you can't read the texts made from letters you can't listen "binary music" too. Whatever your ears doesn't get into beep sequence. Here Boss helps you w/ DAC which will take these digital samples and convert into analog wave.
There are analog/digital & digital/analog barriers. And sampling rates with resolution define how close it will be to original right now or later after adding multiple effects.

 

[Sascha Franck]

You have the reading issues.
Imagine that you play an analog music. And hell yeah, you're smart enough to use the digital processing (or at least you're trying)!
Howtf your Boss unit will understand you? via ADC. It takes your analog and slice it into samples. It can slice it into 2k pieces and you will sounds like Britney or into 96k pieces and you will sounds like Satriani. Once it sliced your music (or the sounds you throw into your GT1000) the module have to process it in realtime ideally (so it have small latency 2ms +-).
But, as you can't read the texts made from letters you can't listen "binary music" too. Whatever your ears doesn't get into beep sequence. Here Boss helps you w/ DAC which will take these digital samples and convert into analog wave.
There are analog/digital & digital/analog barriers. And sampling rates with resolution define how close it will be to original right now or later after adding multiple effects.

Dude. As said, you are obsessed by technical data. I am aware of all of that. But it still doesn't matter in case things sound fine. And in case of the GT/GX, they don't sound less-than-fine because of the used sample rate but because the Boss amp modeling isn't as good as many others.
Most other units are running at 48kHz internally. And yet, they sound better than the Boss modeling.

Besides, Britney's music sounds better than Satriani by all technical means.

 

[nikitasius]

Most other units are running at 48kHz internally. And yet, they sound better than the Boss modeling.

Better/worst is relative and mean nothing. Close to original - that's worth for digital.

Besides, Britney's music sounds better than Satriani by all technical means.

Britney sounds like , that true btw
Anyway, you can say "just play muusic", but if you choose the devices just by the style of glitters on it, well your "music" is fucked up.
If you watch at least reviews where people "just try & play", it can save you somehow.

Other devices can operate even in 16k lol, it will still produce the sound. Beep is also the sound btw

You remember "roland charger is shit" or kind of? Well, there are real numbers behind it. And if people consult it they will change for another. For which one? Well, check the numbers if seller not a dirkhead and share it.

 

[Frodebro]

A shitty mechanic blames his tools.

 

[banned]

POD GO doesn't have the oversampling update though. Through headphones, not as good as the HX Stomp or Stomp XL.

It sounds fantastic to me through guitar cab. Headphones aren't too bad either.