I agree with you partly, Lord Radish, however, I think there's an aspect of this you're overlooking: Forced Feedback. If they rumors are true and they do port the preamp from the Eclipse, FF alone is a game changer over standard distortion pedals. A quick bloom of feedback can make passages dissonant and emotionally interesting like no other effect.
Yes, we are up to our eyeballs these days in dirt boxes. I recently shelled out for the TC Nova Drive which is one of the best overdrive/distortion pedals ever (and MIDI makes this one a no-brainer). Still, I'm very eager and excited to hear that Dynamic Distortion (I, II or whatever form it takes) is coming to the H9.
I won't even mention Uni-Vibe for a while. 
