X-Blender (for amps without FX loop)

I need the collected wisdom and experience of this board.
I’m planning to buy another amp from Ceriatone, this time it’s the 36W EF86. As you may already know, this is two amps in one with a Marshall-voiced TMB channel and a Vox-voiced EF86 channel, plus a half-power switch (18 and 36 watt).
Seems perfect but the one drawback of that is that the amp requires 2 FX loops, one for each channel but each loop has only one input, i.e. you’ll have to use a Y cord. Unfortunately that mean I can use my effects chain only for one channel at a time, while I’d like to use both channels via some A/B pedal.
It seems therefore I can forget the amp’s FX loop(s) and I will have to run my time and modulation pedals in front of the amp. Now we all know that can be critical, especially when a delay pedal follows a cranked amp with overdriven power tubes. I read some time ago that Joe is using the Xotic X-Blender for amps that don’t have a FX loop (I guess his vintage Fender amps). http://www.xotic.us/effects/x_blender/
I’ve never seen this pedal in real life but I read it acts as some kind of external loop and blends chorus, delay, reverb and the like into the main guitar and overdrive signal. The ‘Gig Rig Wet Box’ http://www.thegigrig.com/acatalog/TheGi … t_Box.html seems to be something similar.
Now (finally!) my question: does the X-Blender really solve the problem how to run a delay pedal in front of a cranked tube amp? That would be wonderful but I have some doubts because the delay (and other time and modulation effects) will still be before rather than after the gain.
Please let me know what you think. Joe, if you’re reading this, could you spare a minute or two and elaborate a bit more on where you see the benefits of the X-Blender and how you use it.