Just finally heard one of these live at our show a few weeks ago. Dude was playing some metal on Ch 2 of his V and it sounded great. Definitely seems to have more gain on tap than the Mark IV's Ch2. Though, I find it insane that your (and the dude I saw live) mids on the graphic eq are turned down so low. Though it still has a shitload of midrange in the tone! I simply can't cut that much on my IV or it sounds way too scooped.