Interestingly enough...
no-one has brought up Korg styles ???

IMHO - and I'm not in the business, but I DO research a great deal...BEFORE I buy, and I found the Korg styles to be better put together over all. That's why I bought a PA80 at the time. (and yes the PA1X is Italian too !)

That's not to say that the other major arranger vendors don't have good styles - they do. That's not an issue and I'm not saying this to extend the "mine is better than yours" debate... but factoring in the entire set of factory styles that arrive with a new arranger, I found Korg's to be the best. Period !

I will happily admit that Korg has some crappy styles too, but then so does everyone else. I will not however, rush out and plunk down for a PA1X because of it's styles or it's "sounds". I will NEVER spend for a PA1X because of some outstanding issues I have with Korg Italy (but that's another story).

In all sincerity - I agree with Donny - you got to try them yourself. With the huge aray of styles one gets on an arranger, most are good. One simply has to find the arranger that YOU think have the best styles that fit what YOU need to play. I personally have ne need of "Hollywood" or "Big Band" or "Ragtime" type styles, but you may !

It doesn't matter anyway. Whatever you buy is OBSELETE when you buy it. It WILL be superceeded as soon as they can bring out a 'newer' model. It's ALL marketing. They are in the business of making money first, you happy second. First the Tyros was hailed as breathing 'life' into the arranger market - now go read some of the posts here from people that own it. Then along came the PA1X - again, a breath of fresh air into the arranger market [has ALL you could ever need on an arranger]. Oh, I'm sure the stlyes are great -as were those on the Tyros - but the PA1X is VASTLY overpriced, half-finished (the current OS does NOT support half the features the unit is supposed to have) and it's made by Korg Italy. 'Nuf said.

Tracknet... go play 'em ALL !! make your own decision....
Regards,
Steve