I've been thinking about building a unit without any pre-amping at all, no valves or Fets.
You would 'voice' the guitar with your usual pedal/amp speaker/amp emulations.
It would be a unit with automation. LCD display etc. as per Piet, Johann, Philip and Steven's designs.
I've been thinking about making it as a foot pedal like the Magicstomp. Not exactly like the Magicstomp box, that's diecast but a floor mounted unit.
What do you think ?
It would bring the cost down .
I've tried the bare etap out with my little Korg Ampworks direct in and it works fine.
Cheers,
Ec