Hi, I'm trying to find the best solution to managing a large network of wp blogs.

WP ManagerDX seems to be the best for the task that I have found, however I want to be able to modify everything in a 'master profile' and update it to all blogs. WP ManagerDX is sort of limited in that area. For example, WP ManagerDX can only automatically update plugins that allow the WP 'upgrade automatically' function. To update the rest, you will need to manually login to all the blogs to do it.

Say, I want to have a large amount of identical blogs, but then I want to modify widgets, update settings in a specific plugin, change ad codes, upload a new/updated plugin which requires authorisation etc. I want to be able to make the change in one blog and update it to all blogs but not overwrite each blog (I want to keep blog posts, tags and categories).

I have no problem with cloning wp blogs, it's updating and modifying them afterwards which can be time consuming.

Anyone know of a solution or product that could do this?
Would appreciate it, cheers!

there is no such plugin that will accomplish all you want - maybe is a business idea ?
So far the closest is indeed WP Manager DX

Maybe you should have a look at wptwin V2!
It don't create wp blogs but it clones wp blogs very easy.
Maybe both together it is what you looking for!

Why dont you check both out and compare the two?

Though it has a long way to go, I think Greg Mage Monster is headed in that direction. It's not a precise solution since it's really for managing mage sites, but one could take what he's built and modify it to accomplish what you're talking about. Currently, it provides a relatively limited dashboard, but the improvements show promise of what it is likely to become at some point.

-SWA

I've been using ManageWP since October for Free. It's about to go live for a paid version. Even though it's a little pricey, i love it. It's the first time I've been able to manage all plugins across 100 blogs at one time and actually SEE configurations in a matrix lined up against one another. It's fast, fast, fast. It's secure. If you manage for clients, they provide a way to rename or blind altogether the managewp worker plugin so that the clients don't flip out for adding an unknown plugin on their site. Getting better by the week. It's come really far since prelaunch began in October.

If you like to build off of cloned websites, there's a built-in cloning option right there, accessible from the dashboard. Here's a screenshot...

Ive just had decent success using the trial of wpmanage. Its a very efficient solution and it WORKS. I couldnt get wptwin to work for me.

This Software’s Desktop WordPress Installer is the ideal installer for people new to WordPress Blogs – and those tired of installing them manually.