IDEA: Helix Lunchbox Amp Head

JiveTurkey said:
I've always wondered but never been brave enough to financially f around and find out :oops: :rofl Did you ever compare it to the Katana?
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I've had both, but not at the same time. The Katana was great for what it was, but the Waza was on a whole other level. It came with the Brown Sound (lol) tone module, so I had something like 8 channels to work with. Still dug the stock ones best. Great cleans if you're into the JC120 thing. Really hi-fi sounding in general. Took pedals amazingly, as you'd expect. Even with a fucking Boneshaker in front of it it was super clear. Did a great 5150 impression as well. The edge of breakup tones were also a lot better than most SS amps I've heard. Felt pretty much like a tube amp to me. Wish I hadn't sold it tbh.

This was Boneshaker -> Waza crunch channel -> egnater rebel 112 -> 58.

 
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I'm always like "yes, this product would be awesome" and then 9 pages in I'm like "wait, a 4-channel amp with easy ability to go direct out and powering a cab simultaneously...starts to sound a lot like my Syn-2 + power amp in a rack case, and about the same price...

I feel like its a product that I like the idea of, but once push-came-to-shove, I PROBABLY wouldn't be willing to part with the cash for it? Part of why I ditched my powered Kemper + pedals was that it seemed like an aaaaaaaawful lot of money to have tied up in what amounted to a digital rig. Even if my opinion is that digital is "there" tonally with tubes...I'm still gonna struggle with paying the same amount of money for digital as I would for all-analog.
 
Digital Igloo said:
Remember when I talked about how Roland/BOSS releases test platforms for future product lines? I strongly suspect the WAZA amp was one of them, and Katana was birthed from it. Even they didn't expect to sell many.
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Yup, classic marketing move too. it was validation for the Katana... they had taken 'expensive' Waza tech, recall a lot of focus on the brown channel, and put it in an affordable package. Lots of companies use this model.
 
T Gobbs said:
I've had both, but not at the same time. The Katana was great for what it was, but the Waza was on a whole other level. It came with the Brown Sound (lol) tone module, so I had something like 8 channels to work with. Still dug the stock ones best. Great cleans if you're into the JC120 thing. Really hi-fi sounding in general. Took pedals amazingly, as you'd expect. Even with a fucking Boneshaker in front of it it was super clear. Did a great 5150 impression as well. The edge of breakup tones were also a lot better than most SS amps I've heard. Felt pretty much like a tube amp to me. With I hadn't sold it tbh.

This was Boneshaker -> Waza crunch channel -> egnater rebel 112 -> 58.

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Sounds very good. Both the tone and the song are amazing!
 
Let's look at three different approaches to Helix Amp:

Helix Amp 1 has a similar UI cluster to Helix Floor (big screen, knobs, buttons, etc.), the same two DSPs, and presets are fully compatible with Helix Floor/Rack/LT/Native. Works with Helix Control (additional $449). On the downside, it's considered awfully expensive for a solid state amp, and amp customers really don't like the huge color screen on stage. Quite a few customers say "If I'm bringing an amp and Helix Control to a gig why don't I just use Helix Floor with whatever playback system I prefer?"

Helix Amp 2 is like Helix Amp 1 but has a "headless" UI with traditional tonestack knobs—no screen. It looks and acts much more like a traditional amp but the only way to edit anything beyond tonestacks and channel selection is to hook up HX Edit (or Pedal Edit from Helix Control). Quite a few customers ask "What happens in X years when Line 6 no longer supports HX Edit? I can use my Marshall for decades with no worry!"

Helix Amp 3 looks somewhat like Helix Amp 2 (also no screen) but adds a few extra knobs and buttons to access its limited number of simultaneous effects. It doesn't have the full signal path or block compliment of Helix Floor/Rack/LT, Helix Amp 1, or Helix Amp 2. You can tweak most of what you want from the front panel, but at least it looks like a real amp. Helix Amp 3 presets can be loaded into Helix, but not the other way around. Quite a few customers say "Well, this isn't really a Helix Amp, now then, is it? You shoulda' called it Catalyst XL or something."

IMO, any of these might set the interwebz ablaze for a week or two but none of them feel like anything that would actually sell, especially long term. Prove me wrong.
 
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Digital Igloo said:
Let's look at three different approaches to Helix Amp:

Helix Amp 1 has a similar UI cluster to Helix Floor (big screen, knobs, buttons, etc.), the same two DSPs, and presets are fully compatible with Helix Floor/Rack/LT/Native. Works with Helix Control (additional $449). On the downside, it's considered awfully expensive for a solid state amp, and amp customers really don't like the huge color screen on stage. Quite a few customers say "If I'm bringing an amp and Helix Control to a gig why don't I just use Helix Floor with whatever playback system I prefer?"

Helix Amp 2 is like Helix Amp 1 but has a "headless" UI with traditional tonestack knobs—no screen. It looks and acts much more like a traditional amp but the only way to edit anything beyond tonestacks and channel selection is to hook up HX Edit. Quite a few customers ask "What happens in X years when Line 6 no longer supports HX Edit? I can use my Marshall for decades with no worry!"

Helix Amp 3 looks somewhat like Helix Amp 2 (also no screen) but adds a few extra knobs and buttons to access its limited number of simultaneous effects. It doesn't have the full signal path or block compliment of Helix Floor/Rack/LT, Helix Amp 1, or Helix Amp 2. You can tweak most of what you want from the front panel, but at least it looks like a real amp. Helix Amp 3 presets can be loaded into Helix, but not the other way around. Quite a few customers say "Well, this isn't really a Helix Amp, now then, is it? You shoulda' called it Catalyst XL or something."

IMO, any of these might set the interwebz ablaze for a week or two but none of them feel like anything that would actually sell, especially long term. Prove me wrong.
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How about exactly the DT50 with Helix models and effects? I can even give you a name for a small discount Line6 HX50?

I promise it will sell well enough to cover the very improbable PRS lawsuit.
 
Digital Igloo said:
Quite a few customers say "Well, this isn't really a Helix Amp, now then, is it? You shoulda' called it Catalyst XL or something."
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If the Helix Amp 3 has and will have all the amp models (guitar and bass), it I would definitely not perceive it as a Catalyst (as per my understanding of the Catalyst at least). In my books, that would be a Helix Amp Head, a powered Amp Head with traditional amp controls that can play all the Helix Amp models. Pretty great value IMO. A HX Stomp or HX One or HX Effects in the FX loop and off to the races!

Ofc, bread and butter effects (lie the ones on Catalyst) if included would be nice and make it a more all-in-plug and play rig, like the Catalyst.
 
Digital Igloo said:
Let's look at three different approaches to Helix Amp:

Helix Amp 1 has a similar UI cluster to Helix Floor (big screen, knobs, buttons, etc.), the same two DSPs, and presets are fully compatible with Helix Floor/Rack/LT/Native. Works with Helix Control (additional $449). On the downside, it's considered awfully expensive for a solid state amp, and amp customers really don't like the huge color screen on stage. Quite a few customers say "If I'm bringing an amp and Helix Control to a gig why don't I just use Helix Floor with whatever playback system I prefer?"

Helix Amp 2 is like Helix Amp 1 but has a "headless" UI with traditional tonestack knobs—no screen. It looks and acts much more like a traditional amp but the only way to edit anything beyond tonestacks and channel selection is to hook up HX Edit. Quite a few customers ask "What happens in X years when Line 6 no longer supports HX Edit? I can use my Marshall for decades with no worry!"

Helix Amp 3 looks somewhat like Helix Amp 2 (also no screen) but adds a few extra knobs and buttons to access its limited number of simultaneous effects. It doesn't have the full signal path or block compliment of Helix Floor/Rack/LT, Helix Amp 1, or Helix Amp 2. You can tweak most of what you want from the front panel, but at least it looks like a real amp. Helix Amp 3 presets can be loaded into Helix, but not the other way around. Quite a few customers say "Well, this isn't really a Helix Amp, now then, is it? You shoulda' called it Catalyst XL or something."

IMO, any of these might set the interwebz ablaze for a week or two but none of them feel like anything that would actually sell, especially long term. Prove me wrong.
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Helix amp 1 is the only thing here that would remotely interest me, and I’m squarely in the camp that would say “I’ll just plug my Helix Floor into whatever playback system makes the most sense for the gig and not buy Helix Amp 1.”

If I wanted a “lite” version like 2 or 3, I’d rather just get a stomp and an amp that has enough power with a good loop I could plug it into.

D
 
Important Aside: All Class D amps are not trash, in the same way all tube amps are not actually good.
Class D is kind of amp, it can be well or poorly designed and implemented.
One experience with one class D amp, good or bad, does not inform the entire range.
 
Digital Igloo said:
Let's look at three different approaches to Helix Amp:

Helix Amp 1 has a similar UI cluster to Helix Floor (big screen, knobs, buttons, etc.), the same two DSPs, and presets are fully compatible with Helix Floor/Rack/LT/Native. Works with Helix Control (additional $449). On the downside, it's considered awfully expensive for a solid state amp, and amp customers really don't like the huge color screen on stage. Quite a few customers say "If I'm bringing an amp and Helix Control to a gig why don't I just use Helix Floor with whatever playback system I prefer?"

Helix Amp 2 is like Helix Amp 1 but has a "headless" UI with traditional tonestack knobs—no screen. It looks and acts much more like a traditional amp but the only way to edit anything beyond tonestacks and channel selection is to hook up HX Edit. Quite a few customers ask "What happens in X years when Line 6 no longer supports HX Edit? I can use my Marshall for decades with no worry!"

Helix Amp 3 looks somewhat like Helix Amp 2 (also no screen) but adds a few extra knobs and buttons to access its limited number of simultaneous effects. It doesn't have the full signal path or block compliment of Helix Floor/Rack/LT, Helix Amp 1, or Helix Amp 2. You can tweak most of what you want from the front panel, but at least it looks like a real amp. Helix Amp 3 presets can be loaded into Helix, but not the other way around. Quite a few customers say "Well, this isn't really a Helix Amp, now then, is it? You shoulda' called it Catalyst XL or something."

IMO, any of these might set the interwebz ablaze for a week or two but none of them feel like anything that would actually sell, especially long term. Prove me wrong.
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Amp 1 would make the most sense. The color screen "issue" could be solved with customizable screen options when not editing.

-Black Screen/Screen off option
-HELIX or X logo option, with different color options similar to REVV
-Always on tuner
-Custom image upload ability
-Random stuff like scrolling text, BSOD crash screen, old school screen savers
 
paisleywookiee said:
Because A. There is no upcoming Helix amp of any sort, and B. It’s literally a small rack You’ve got to worry about. easy peasy.
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I had the Helix LT, didn't like it that much so I'm not into any of the current Line6 standalone modellers. That said I played both the Spider Valve mk2 and the Dt50 and liked them a lot!!

I can't promise I will buy the Line6 HX50 at launch but I'm very intrigued by it.
 
FPFL said:
Important Aside: All Class D amps are not trash, in the same way all tube amps are not actually good.
Class D is kind of amp, it can be well or poorly designed and implemented.
One experience with one class D amp, good or bad, does not inform the entire range.
Click to expand...
How about 50 experiences? Or 25? Or 4? What is the threshold you'd pick to validate someone's opinion that class D amps are shite?
 
Orvillain said:
How about 50 experiences? Or 25? Or 4? What is the threshold you'd pick to validate someone's opinion that class D amps are shite?
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Its not a number it's about which brands.
If you tried a Blug Amp1 Iridium and said it was shite, for example, I'd say you were deaf or biased.
If you tried some budget power amp pedal and hated it, I'd understand.
 
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