I just tried this unit extensively in the studio yesterday. And I am making an effort to make an accurate review of this unit. Sorry to break your bubble, but again, it's either you take the red pill, or the blue pill.
HOW THE TEST WAS DONE:
1. GT10 direct to DAW in a control room with KRK RP9 reference monitors.
2. GT10 through Randall RM100's FX loop input through 4x12 with Celestion 70-80s, GT10 in "connect-to-amp" mode
3. DG Stomp direct to DAW in a control room with KRK RP9 reference monitors.
4. DG Stomp through Randall RM100's FX loop input through 4x12 with Celestion 70-80s, GT10 in "connect-to-amp" (no speaker sim) mode
5. GT10 bypassed, guitar straight to amp using UltraXL and Rectifier modules
My thoughts-
AMPSIMS:
VERY HUGE disappointment with the amp simulators. They sound lifeless and undynamic. Try this. Use your volume knob with a MEsa Recto patch. Try "cleaning up" your volume. See what happens. If your sound still sounds compressed, then you know the problem. I've had more success with the amp sims of an old outdated Yamaha DG Stomp.
MODULATIONS:
Pretty good but still has that nasty digital feel. If you like separate boxes for delay and other time-based effects, you'll probably find the modulations of the GT10 'ok'.
FWIW, look into other options. When I thought Line 6 units didn't have that nice tube dynamic response, this GT10 is actually worse. There is also a severe lack of presence in the sound. Very poor in fact, and sounds blanketed no matter how much presence we added to the EQ. Honestly, I prefer the Vox Tonelab series to this one much more. Axe Fx is the king of the hill if you ask me, but they aren't cheap.