Tonelab SE or LE still viable?

[plugger]

I'm looking at buying a modeling preamp for live use directly into a PA. I already own both an AD30VT and an AD60VTX, so I like Valvetronix sounds and tech. I was looking for a preamp/footswitch unit that is gig worthy in terms of sound, but also robustness of construction and ergonomics (basically footswitch placement and function, but also things like visual display of state, etc.)

I've had a look at the newer Tonelabs, in particular the ST and EX, and don't think they will stack up (mostly ergonomic limitations). So I've been looking back to the LE and SE units, and tentatively decided through reading (without actually playing either) that the LE is probably the pick of the two, although I would probably go for an SE if one came along first at a good price.

But then I took a step back and asked whether these older units still measure up compared to the latest offerings on the market? I played an Axe-FX recently, for example, and was pretty impressed (and apart from the Valvetronix stuff, I've mostly been unimpressed over the years with most of the modeling stuff). The Axe-FX is way overkill for what I'm trying to do, however.

So do the old Tonelabs still contend with the newer stuff on the market these days? Sound/tone is important, but frankly, for live work, not as important to me as robustness and good ergonomic design (the reverse would be true if I primarily was looking for a recording unit, but I'm not). Any/all advice and thoughts appreciated.

[Voxman]

They're still very good units in their own right of course, but modeling technology has moved on. Axe-fx is very expensive & is still not without its issues. The new Line 6 Pod HD500 (and other versions in the range) are significantly cheaper than axe-fx & have had quite a good response and are well worth checking out. Being new, prices will of course be higher than for second-hand TLSE/LE's.

Rich