both gt8 and line6 podxt live cost about the same which is rm16xx.

i duno how many times ive posted comparisons between the 2 already. go search the forums. to sum it up,

for amp modelling,
podxt live>gt8

for effects (both quantity, quality and parameter changes),
gt8>podxt live

so it depends on what kind of player you are. also, tweaking the gt8 to get the BEST tone out of it will take a super long time and also some experience with effects.

POD pro is gona cost him a bomb.

the sansamp tri AC sure is good.

im a gt8 user too but for amp modelling i have a behringer lx1 pro rack in my loop to handle that. so if u think sticking a podxt into the gt8 is troublesome, my setup is even more troublesome. lol. at least the podxt (bean) is small.

if u've never tried out sansamp products, you MUST test it. go to js music and ask to test. u'll be surprised how good it is. i wouldnt mind getting one and hook it into my GT8 loop to *gasp* replace my rack unit.

akeiser owns a discontinued tech21 amp that has 3 amp 'modelling' (smth along the lines or architechtured analigue modelling thingy) which models the fender, marshall and mesa. it sounds hell really good. beats his podxt live flat out (except for the amount of choices).

you would go for gain over dynamics and realism?