Boss gt-100 or better yet, a tube amp like fender pro jr. I have both and prefer my tube amp for inspirational playing. I'm realizing that the more I play the more I lean toward playing thru a tube amp. I started playing modellers, they're not bad but tube amps to me sound fuller, richer and more dynamic in the right kind of way.
I have a Orange Dark Terror that I love. I was looking for something for late night playing. Right now I'm using the Line 6 POD Farm4. Its not to bad Just seeing what else is out that people like.
Do you have a midi foot controller already for an axe? The MFC is $600-750
HD500x is a terrific all in one and has everything you need.
This. Absolutely worth the wait to find one, IMHO.You can score a Axe standard under a grand. Same sounds as the ultra unless you need alot more proccessing power.
For late night playing (assuming you have a PC)?
Good pair of headphones ($100)
S-Gear ($100)
Audio Interface (Focusrite iTrack Solo - $120)
Ownhammer Modern IR pack ($20)
Let's see someone else beat that for $340 in terms of tone quality.
Even if you don't have the PC, that's maybe another $400. I still think it's a better $740 spent than any hardware on the market right now.
If the dude is rocking a Dark Terror by day, he might want to look @ something with a little more teeth than S-Gear. IMHO.
Honestly, I've become disenchanted with VSTs of late... they feel pretty stagnant these days and just generally not worth the effort.
I've owned all of this stuff and for <$1K I would go: used Axe1, 11R, POD Pro X, VSTs. In that order. An Axe1 is a lifetime quality unit... most of this other stuff will have you still surfing gear sites, jonesing for other stuff.