Gt-8 is pretty impressive...lotttttts of features, boss keeps improving on the GT series......ive heard good things about line 6 as well, cant comment on the rest, not familiar with them

In terms of Software I love working Amplitube for it's simplcitiy and outstanding amp models. I have played songs with Amplitube Guitar sounds where the guitar player compliments the guitar sound. I also own Guitar Rig which is way more robust but I don't like it as much and it is an absolute pig on my CPU. Hope that helps.

A lot of the decision comes down to personal preference. They are all great products and you could be happy with any of them.

My opinion:

Boss GT-8 - lots of features, decent sound quality
Line 6 Pod XT - best sound quality/versatility out of the bunch
Tonelab SE - great sound quality, not as many options/features
Johnson J-station - great product, but no support

I'll rank them in the order I'd choose them (personally, sound quality is top priority)

1) Line 6 Pod XT Live
2) Vox Tonelab SE
3) Boss GT-8
4) Johnson J-station

Good Luck,
Wes

I liked the up to date overdriven tones in the VOX unit. They have some nice bite and good sustain. Some fuzzier ones were good too. Didn't care for the clean tones.

The J-Station does the best old school tones, clean and driven Blackface and JCM800 tones are my favs in that box. Touch dynamic like they should be. Had to do some tweaking to get there.

Didn't spend too much time with anything else except the Behringer V-Amp, which I returned for a refund after a few days.

I have a Line 6 Pod.
I can't wait until I get a real amp. (a tube one)
The modelers are fun and creative, but for sounds like AudioSlave and System of a down...IMHO you need a Marshall head.
The Line 6 sounds like a toy.
I can say that because I own one.
I still funk around with it, but it has major limitations for anyone looking to recreate "analog" tube drive.