I have owned both the PSR2000 and the MZ 2000. My PSR2000 was chock full of bugs and I got impatient while waiting ( over 2 months ) for a replacement or repair of mine, and the dealer refunded my money. I then purchased the Yamaha Motif ( non arranger workstation ) from him.

My experiences with Yamaha service on two separate occasions have not been pleasant at all. I liked the MZ2000 when I had it, and in some ways I regret that I traded it in, but the Korg PA80 ( arranger ) that I replaced it with is head and shoulders above it in almost every category.

Having said all of this, I would still easily pick the PSR2k over the MZ2000. It's styles just sound better and it has excellent sounds and more ( and better ) features. The one area where the MZ outshined the PSR was in voice editing parameters. The MZ offered editing on par with a good workstation including access to and the ability to combine the raw samples. I agree with Squeak too. The MZ's velo alto sax was by far the best I have heard on any arranger. The electric / overdriven guitars were also outstanding. Overall though, the PSR boards have a lot of sounds that I felt are better than the MZs. The MZ also had a built in midi file to style converter, but the freeware Yamaha software midi file to Yamaha style converter offered by Michael P Bedesem works just as well and is simpler and quicker to use. The MZ has a better key feel too. The PSR's key feel is very flimsy to me. Still, the PSR outshines it by far, and as was said before, forget any after market support ( from the dealer OR users ) or upgrades for the MZ. It hasn't and likely won't ever happen.

My experiences with the EM2000 are minimal and it has been a while since I played one. I liked the sounds and styles, but found the OS to be a pain to navigate and just clunky in general. I recently played the successor to the EM / G series line ( the VA76 ) and I actually like the board a whole lot .almost.. but not quite enough to trade my PA80 away for one.

AJ




[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 09-22-2002).]