For another perspective, some of the best distortions I've heard weren't from a pedal per se', but from a Line 6 Pod amp emulator. I've seen some distortion pedals approach $300! That seems awfully excessive in comparison to all that a Pod can do IMO. I'm pretty sure they also offer dedicated pedals too if that's the route you're intent on, but why not have the versatility to go along with it and have a whole library of tones?