1 - There are 6 total loops.
2 - There is 1 loop that is fully isolated with In/Out & Send/Return just like the GCX. Having this allows you to use it in the FX loop of your amp, do A/B switching, change amp channels, place a Fuzz Face before a buffer, etc...
3 - HEX has no internal buffer. So any talk about who's buffer is better is not relevant at all. Use whatever buffer you like, or nothing at all.
4 - HEX has an optional circuit (via internal jumper) you can use to get rid of switching pops. Our newly designed circuit doesn't add extra buffers or loading so it maintains the integrity of your guitar signal. If you're going to use high-quality gold contact relays for true bypassing your effects, why ruin it with a circuit to get rid of popping that does more damage than good? HEX has many design choices (even down to how our I/O jacks are side-by-side and not stacked) that are decisions based on being audiophiles of the highest degree. I wouldn't have it any other way, and neither would Josh.
5 - HEX's current draw is 9V DC at under 100mA. Any of you that have built a rig would know that's a big deal. You can easily run HEX off a standard PP2+ output.
6 - We really wanted a new switching unit that could save space when doing rack shelves, or making a Pedaltrain rig. It was then that we thought we might as well make make a single space rack bracket. Ages ago, I first threw a GCX (makes a great riser!) on my large Kriz Kraft board with an original Ground Control unit. I unfortunately have a problem committing to guitar rigs. So, with HEX you don't have to keep buying different rack or small box switchers every time you want to change it up. I think in the long run, our users will appreciate the time we took to make this new format useable in the real "rig building" world.
7 - We manufacture everything (including the metal housing) here in the US. And, our prices are the result of a finely tuned manufacturing process, not because we buy cheap parts or use unskilled labor. We haven't nailed down the exact price yet, but HEX will have a US street price under $300. If you're paying substantially more than that for switching gear, it's not because you're getting higher quality parts or manufacturing.
8 - We are in the final stages of fine tuning HEX's audio path. Yes, we take forever to put products out, but it's because we actually listen to everything.
We're hoping for a Summer ship date!
