I play a peavey triple XXX (tube amp) and also use a Line 6 PODxt. I only use the POD for the effects and the rest bypassed. You just can't beat the tube warmth. the POD sounds great but it's just missing that little something that can only be produced by real tubes. to most it's not noticable enought to matter, but for tone heads it's very noticable. The spiderII is an awsome amp, and if you're not anal about actuall tube dynamics then it would be great. I don't have any experience with laney amps so I can't help you there, but you defanately wont be dissapointed with the real tube tone.