Zuki - I have the XD3 which is the modular version of the XD9 as well as a Tyros 1.

It is very similar to the SD1 and you can upgrade it gradually if you wish. Mine is now fitted with the pattern expansion card, the vocal harmoniser card and the orchestral card for additional sampled voices. You can also get the video out card but I 'aint got one as I don't encourage Kareoke.

I really like the unit and sometimes gig out with it and a just a lightweight keyboard controller and leave the Tyros at home.

It has much more of a live sound than the Tyros and I love this when I am gigging anywhere people like to dance to uptempo stuff. You obviously have to try it yourself but I think it knocks spots off the competition in it's price range. Well, the price I paid as I dont know how much you would have to pay. I bought mine from Belgium but I'm in the UK.

There is only one thing I really don't like about it and that is the lack of aftertouch. I have had to program in delayed vibrato into many of the guitar voices and then save them as user voices.

It has a couple of unique features including intelligent arranger functions that mute certain selected accomp parts on the fly under certain criteria that you decide. This gives far more variety in the styles.

I also like the fact that you can change the accomp voices and volume levels to suit you for each style and save them back to the factory presets.

Although I dont use them while gigging I do listen to SMF files on it and these sound better that the Tyros unles I fiddle with the Tyros sonds swapping them for XG ones.

Hope this helps........

[This message has been edited by KFingers (edited 11-02-2005).]