In my recent online search for a few new items I need (an addition to my live bass rig, and a one or two channel, relatively budget priced vocal preamp) I came across the specs for the latest POD additions. (Line6 POD X3 Pro). Apparently they've crammed both the bass models and the guitar amps into the same unit now. "Sure, whatever" I thought. Further reading revealed that there are now several high end vocal preamps modeled and thrown in for good measure. Really?

I'm skeptical. But, the possibility of killing two birds with one G-note here is worth at least a listen to any informed opinions here. My first concern is the quality of the actual XLR pre on the unit itself. If they've skimped there, then it doesn't matter much about the quality of their models. Maybe it'd be usable as an insert effect...although that would remove the benefit of adding two channels to my setup.

Obviously the Line6 deal isn't going to sound like a real Avalon or what have you, but I'm interested in comparisons to something in the Joemeek /ART range. If I can score a nice warm vocal pre with S/PDIF connectivity for somewhere around a $1000. maybe it's possible the Pod sounds alright?

Okay - that took some nerve. Let fly. .