In this article
Updated September 18, 2026. Written by Chaos Audio, maker of Stratus. Product specifications and comparison sources are linked below.
Both Stratus and current Ampero II Stomp firmware support native NAM A2-Lite. Stratus combines up to three simultaneous NAM blocks with a reorderable effects chain and FX Builder 2.0, managed from your phone for $299. Ampero II Stomp adds a touchscreen, dual-chain routing, stereo connections, and a multichannel recording interface. Start with whether you want a sound-building pedal for your existing rig or those additional routing and recording tools.
Three NAM models, one Stratus preset. With the latest Chaos Audio app and Stratus firmware 1.0.100, Stratus runs up to three NAM A2-Lite models simultaneously in a single preset/chain, using your own uploads or TONE3000 captures. Each NAM block now uses roughly half the CPU it used before this update; other effects still share the pedal’s processing budget.
As of September 17, 2026, Stratus is the only factory-built compact pedal under US$300 we’re aware of that natively runs three NAM A2-Lite models simultaneously in one preset/chain. Its price is $299. See the latest Stratus and FX Builder 2.0 update.
The short version
- Stratus: Three native NAM blocks, mobile chain editing, a five-minute looper, and FX Builder 2.0.
- The alternative: Ampero II Stomp combines native A2-Lite on current firmware with a touchscreen, dual-chain routing, and multichannel USB audio.
- Start with the rig: decide which sound, control, or connection you need before comparing catalog totals.
Side by side
| Chaos Audio Stratus | Hotone Ampero II Stomp | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $499.99 |
| What it is | Multi-effects + NAM amp modeler with a generative AI effects builder | Second-gen tri-core amp modeler and effects processor with touchscreen |
| NAM support | Native NAM A2-Lite, played as-is on the pedal Up to 3 simultaneous NAM A2-Lite models in one preset/chain (firmware 1.0.100 + latest app) |
Native NAM A2-Lite with firmware 2.5.0 or later |
| TONE3000 access | 600,000+ amp and pedal NAM captures on TONE3000, all compatible with Stratus; browse and install through the Chaos Audio app | Download captures and transfer with Hotone’s editor; A2-Lite runs natively on current firmware |
| Amp models | NAM captures are the amps | 87 amps, 68 cabs (CDCM HD / F.I.R.E.), 20 Celestion IRs, 50 custom IR slots |
| Effects | 19 free effects covering all effect categories; custom FX Builder 2.0 effects; the chain shares the CPU budget | Modeled amps, cabinets, and effects; 12 modules across a dual serial/parallel chain. Catalog totals span different categories |
| Generative AI | FX Builder 2.0: describe, audition, refine, and install custom effects; 30 free AI builds every month | None |
| Looper | 5 minutes, unlimited overdubs | 60-second stereo looper |
| Presets | 128 stored; 14 hands-free via footswitch color pairs | 300 presets |
| Control | Bluetooth app; 2 footswitches | 4" 800×480 touchscreen; 3 footswitches; expression/controller input; desktop software |
| Audio engine | 1 GHz processor on embedded Linux; no matched hardware latency test in this article | Tri-core DSP, ESS Sabre AD/DA, 24-bit, up to 127 dB dynamic range |
| MIDI | Full USB-MIDI map (host adapter required) | MIDI in and out |
| I/O | Mono 1/4-inch audio in/out; USB-C for power, updates, and MIDI | Stereo in, balanced TRS stereo out, stereo FX loop, aux in, headphones, 8-in/8-out USB-C interface with re-amp |
| Power | 9V DC 400 mA+ or USB-C | 9–18V DC |
| Build & weight | Aircraft-grade aluminum, 11.6 oz | Lightweight aluminum, pedalboard-friendly |
| Best for | Captures and custom effects within an existing mono rig | Touchscreen editing, stereo dual-chain routing, and multichannel recording |
What Hotone built
Ampero II Stomp includes modeled amps, cabinets, and effects, with a touchscreen and dual-chain routing. Its stereo connections and multichannel USB interface matter if you need to route or record several signals. Catalog figures combine different categories and firmware versions; compare the effects you will use rather than treating a total of amps, cabs, and effects as equivalent to Stratus’s 19 included effects.
What Stratus built
For a particular sound, describe an effect in FX Builder 2.0—for example, a delay with darker repeats and gentle movement. Audition the result, ask for a change, then install it in your Stratus chain. Pedal captures can feed an amp capture, with other effects sharing the available processing power. Once installed, your sounds run locally and can be recalled without a phone or internet connection. Hear FX Builder 2.0 examples and explore the workflow. The examples on that page are software-rendered demonstrations.
FX Builder 2.0 is now on mobile. Build effects directly in the Chaos Audio app for iOS and Android, then use them in your Stratus chain alongside NAM captures. These current app screenshots show the builder and a finished effect.
Native NAM, different workflows
The Ampero II Stomp now supports native NAM A2-Lite with firmware 2.5.0 or later. The old conversion-only distinction no longer applies to current firmware. Both pedals can play A2-Lite captures natively. Stratus combines in-app TONE3000 browsing, up to three simultaneous NAM models in one preset/chain, and FX Builder 2.0 in a compact $299 pedal; Hotone pairs NAM with its touchscreen, stereo routing, and established modeling library.
On stage
The Ampero II Stomp's stage story is three footswitches, a touchscreen, an expression input, MIDI in and out, stereo to the desk, and 300 presets. The Stratus's is 14 presets hands-free from color-coded footswitch pairs, 128 stored, and per-effect bypass plus looper transport over USB-MIDI, in a box that leaves room on the board. The pedal is meant to disappear into a rig.
Cost of ownership
Stratus is US$299 with 19 free effects covering all effect categories, 30 free AI builds every month in FX Builder 2.0, and access to all 600,000+ amp and pedal NAM captures on TONE3000. See the product page for configuration, regional pricing, and shipping estimates.
Which should you buy?
Choose Stratus when you want captures and a custom effect in the same compact mono chain. For example, use a pedal capture before an amp capture, then refine a delay or modulation effect around that sound.
Choose Ampero II Stomp when your setup calls for stereo paths, a touchscreen, or its recording interface. Both support native A2-Lite on current firmware; converter specifications do not establish a sound-quality winner.
Sources
- Hotone — Ampero II Stomp product page (DSP, converters, effects, IRs, chain, I/O)
- Hotone — Ampero II Stomp store listing (price, features)
- Sweetwater — Ampero II Stomp listing (interface, looper, effect count)
- TONE3000 — Best NAM-compatible pedals (historical conversion coverage; current native support is documented by Hotone below)
- Hotone Japan — current NAM A2 support and required firmware (native A2-Lite on Ampero II Stomp)
- TONE3000 — NAM Architecture 2 (A2) (test methodology and results; code and data are open source)
- Chaos Audio — Stratus product page (Stratus specs and pricing)
- Chaos Audio — three NAM blocks, firmware 1.0.100, and FX Builder 2.0 on mobile
Explore Stratus, its included effects, and current availability.
