msch997
I agree with you that the Express is not a "metal high gain" amplifier although some guys say you can get into that territory using an overdrive pedal with the burn voice on channel two. I have never tried that, its not my bag. The Mesa Stiletto runs EL34 tubes so its a type of Vintage British <think Marshall> amplifier while the Express is a 6L6 amp.
Regarding high gain Mesa's don't forget the Roadster, its a Road King with some of the fancy features like additional effects loops removed, but its also madly pricey.
stuntmusic
For all the amps I own (too many, including all tubes, modeling, new hybrids and an OLD hybrid - Rocktron Taboo Twin) the H7K is the most versatile of all of them.
The Rocktron, if you can find one, is a *great* amp, but it takes a lot of tweaking to get it right. It was a digital modeling amp long before digital modeling even existed.
Most high gain amps have hiss in them, just because of the nature of the gain structure. Noise suppression pedals and circuits inserted into the FX loops are what most touring pros use to quiet their beasts.
