Hilariously, I once played OppiAarde using a plasticky Zoom multiFX. How far we've come. Still remember the sound guy's look while setting up. Anyway, when that unit (which actually had some great time-based/modulation effects, even if the drives and distortions were kaka) gave out on me, I bought a GT-8. I dove quite deep into its capabilities, using its looper and various other things most people don't touch, and found it to be a very capable and useful thing (which once fish-tailed the end of my toe in incredibly bloody fashion when I accidentally kicked the expression pedal while walking past it barefoot). From the Zoom to the GT-8 was a great step up in quality, routing and flexibility. But I was never happy with certain aspects of the GT-8 - most notably the drive sounds and what I perceived to be some tone suck between me and the amp. The drives always just sounded a bit...fizzy.
From there I bought a TC Electronic Nova System (oddly enough designed for acoustic guitar players) and was delighted with the quality of the effects, the intuitive routing/setup/tweaking parameters and the analogue drives. Many years later it is still going strong, sounds great. Yes, I've added some third-party drive sounds because the Nova doesn't allow me to stack drives or distortions, but if you're someone who plays clean most of the time, I'd suggest looking into one. Incredible reverbs and delays (though, again, you can't stack delays) and modulation effects. I've never seen any reason to get rid of it and move to pedals-only, because what it offers would cost a LOT to replicate on a pedalboard and the saving of patches means you can change between settings for different songs to be exactly what you want without constant tweaking down on the floor (as you already know). Also, they go pretty cheaply and are built like tanks. That's my 2c... Sorry, I haven't tried either of the units you mentioned, but maybe you're open to alternatives. The Nova may not be the latest gear, but quality sound is quality sound. If you're always going to be using your amp, that is. If you're not, and the amp sims will really come in handy (which is where the Nova can fall short) maybe the Line 6 unit is a good way to go. I've been impressed by what they've been able to do in the Helix line.
