Not sure why the ratings would have changed... I have had a V-Amp2 for quite some time now, and I also had a Boss GX700, a J-Station, and a Vox ToneLab. Of those, I only kept the V-Amp2. All the other units were good, some very good (the Boss is amazing for FX!) but in the end the V-Amp is the one I prefer, for sounds and ease of use. But other people prefer other units... only you can decide! However, for what it's worth, I am a big fan of the V-Amp2. You do have to spend some time with it to really get the best out of it. I'd say "ditch the presets" and just make your own sounds. I tend to stick to a handful of amp simulations only, with just some reverb and some compression, that's all. The FX are decent, BUT you really must edit them from a computer with the free editor from Behringer, as you just cannot access many parameters directly on the machine.
I have never used it live, but I know people who do/did. One thing: there is a *noticeable* delay when switching patches *IF* both patches use a different amp simulation. However, using the same amp model, the switch is smooth. As long as you are aware of this you can make your own presets to suit, and can use it live without problems.
The V-Amp Pro has digital outs and other things, read on the Behringer site for the whole specs. Soundwise it is the same. I have no experience of the X one.
You can control wah/FX separately using a midi pedalboard. If you use the V-Amp live I think a midi pedalboard is essential, as the provided footswitch only goes up/down between patches. Behringer make the FCB1010 which is cheap and truly amazing, with 2 expression pedals and 10 footswitches (and it will also switch channels on your non-midi amp!)... these two work very well together.
Wearing out of the connector? :scratch: Not sure why you think it's an issue. I haven't had problems with connectors wearing out (getting dirty, that's another matter). In any case, they're easily fixed, but I doubt you'll have a problem. Or at least a problem that you won't also have with any other unit.
The V-Amp is a great unit, in my opinion... but as with all these magic boxes that do 1000 things... you need to spend some time fiddling with it to truly get the most outof it. Having said that, it is damn easy to use, and the leds around the knobs to indicate the position of each knob is pure genius. That alone is enough for the V-Amp to score very highly in my opinion. Use a POD or J-Station or ToneLab without those, and you'll quickly see what I mean.