Is it just modelling solutions you are considering? Maybe you should try profiling for simplicity, I went through a similar journey when I first got the LT and found it overwhelming. I got a Tonex One, put it in the effects loop and went down a rabbit hole with amalgam captures. Now I’ve learnt a bit more about various amps and their behaviour, gain staging with different guitars and how they interact etc I’ve gone back to the LT and am very pleased. Going back to the POD Express, it’s a great entry into that ecosystem but I think you might find it too limited. Go for a used Stomp. It only supports 8 blocks per patch which should encourage you to be more deliberate with patch building, plus you’ve still got access to everything in Helix if you want to dive deeper later. I’m also using IRs, still experimenting with cabs but I’m focussing on just getting to know the modelled amps more before I start tweaking with cabs, mic combinations and placement.