I don’t know that I can answer that definitively, they’re very different tools that I think are equally as good at what they do.
The NUX is an awesome box that still gets used when I need a really clean tone (weddings, churches, school fundraising events, drum corps). It’s awesome in a small room when I want the band to sound bigger, because it has cabsim. The drive isn’t that great, kinda fizzy. And the eq isn’t that strong (the MXR in that pic has a stronger eq by miles), but it’s pretty broad and easy enough to find a sound I’m happy with.
The Laney goes to the bar on rock night, has a solid clean tone but it’s drive is what sells it. The eq is weird, the low mid/switch situation takes some experimenting with. The tilt feature is cool but I don’t think it’s something I’ll ever use. A low/high boost switch like on an SVT would have been more useful, otherwise it has a kinda narrow eq range. Not any huge amount of bass or treble unless you use the tilt knob which robs from the other side. And it’s gigantic, and heavy. And the headphone out is too quiet. But sometimes it’s fun to have a big heavy fun amp on stage and it looks just crackers on a pedalboard.
As far as missing IR, I am the absolute wrong person to ask. I’m a complete luddite in that regard and the NUX is my only experience with it. I will say that the NUX needs its IR to sound good, the Laney just sounds good.
Cheers Stephen- very informative post! Ive played the NUX fir a couple of years and like its functionality- the Digbeth is something Ive toyed with in my mind.



