I'd like to see more on this piece, primarily b/c it appears to be a higher end unit that caters to bass specifically. There's not much out there in the mid-high/high end market that is just for us. I'd prefer to see this as a preamp only version, and for $800-900, rather than a fully blown (mono or stereo) bass head with amp built-in. I also see the limited routing (series/parallel combinations) and Cab sim forced to the final location in the virtual chain as being a possible downside. I'd expect to see more effects possibilities and broader routing flexibility at this price point.
These units don't seem to be widely used and it's hard to find them in stores. I'd like to try one.
The AxeFx 1st generation units might be competitive ($900 +/- for the Standard and $1100 +/- for the Ultra if you can find them used), and they offer much more flexibility for routing effects and more effects, and configuration, but they lack variety of bass amp models. This is only a hurdle if you absolutely need the flavor of a specific amp (that's NOT and SVT), but you can still get great bass tones using different amp/preamp models and the wide variety of tone shaping tools at your disposal. Add a solid state power amp for $400-$600 and you're in the same ball park, but again, you're trading the strength of the MultiAmp bass amp sims for wider effects and routing flexibility on the AxeFx. The AxeFxII offers more, but still a limited variety of bass amps, but is above the price point being discussed at $2200+ not including an amplifier.
The Kemper Profiling Amp is another possible choice, and it has a different method to the madness, but is otherwise a fine unit that has been upgraded to accommodate the needs of bass nicely. Again, though, pricing is in the $2000+ range not including amplifier.
I guess currently, if you want the variety of amp models, another option to explore would be to rely on existing Boss/Line 6/Zoom et al rack or floor pedals for their strength (opinions will vary) as preamps and effects boxes WITHOUT the cab simulations, and then rely on a better quality box such as the 2 Notes Torpedo C.A.B. for an upgrade to the cabinet sims. The dedicated cabinet sim/IR loader box technology is still very untapped, and there are other options such as the Logidy EPSI, and the (not yet released) Atomic Amps/Studio Devil "Amplifire", which is a guitar based floor pedal that allows for loading of custom/user cabinet simulation IRs. Of course, the problem here is that you need to know what you want in a custom Impulse Response since bass cabinets are usually a low priority in the custom IR market...or...you need to create your own IRs. The 2 Notes C.A.B. does include a nice variety of cabinet sims and mics (and placement) to choose from, compared to the others.
I see a huge void between the low price point bass preamp/fx processors and the "big boys", which haven't gone too far to concentrate on bass-only products. In this respect, the MarkBass MultiAmp presents an option, but I'm personally not so keen on what they are offering for the money - UNLESS - they've done a really good job on the bass amp models and cab sims. If they got that right, though, I'd still want to see it in a preamp for less $. That would be more appealing to the broader market, I would think.
Disclaimer, I've owned the AxeFx Ultra and own an AxeFxII, and am a fan of Fractal Audio's products. I came to the AxeFx in order to have a pro quality option that consolidated my ever growing effects board/rack, partly for practical reasons, but also without losing function or sound quality. If you don't need a lot of whizz-bang or complex effects routing signal chains, then sure, the AxeFx line of products may very well be overkill for most bassists. For my situation, it was as good as I could have hoped, but with some learning curve needed. By contrast, for lower priority gigs with simpler demands, I've found that even the "lowly" Zoom products (B-3) can do a respectable job. Again, a huge gap in features and sound quality and not much in between for this market IMHO.
