I don't think anyone needs to have an excuse to use a simulator over a real amp. If you hate them, more power to you, but I LOVE the Line6 XT sound, both Pod and Bass Pod. Does the Rectifier sound like a Boogie stack? I have no idea, and if you haven't recorded the two in identical conditions, neither do you. All I know is that for the type of music that I do, a tube amp through a 4X12 miked with a ribbon will NOT get me the sound I need, nor will a Les Paul through a Twin. So does that make my guitar sound less valid? Does that make my music less valid? I'm seeing a lot of anecdotal opinion being strewn around like fact on this thread. For the original poster, a Pod XT may be just the ticket for you to get a stable recording sound. It will certainly eliminate a lot of variables. Just buy it from somewhere that has a return policy, if you can.