I really shoud not have gone back-----now I want one! First of all guys, i am afraid that I am not who you need to evaluate a keyboard. I tend to spend most of my time on the accomp. function and little to no time on the "right hand side", so I can not tell you much about the solo voices. I did really like the electric pianos, great "wurlies" with real growl when you play hard and a proper tremolo. I scanned all the pianos and organs and liked everything that I heard. All were better than the PSR2000 that I briefley owned and all were much much better than on my Korg is40. As to horns and such, well nothing that I played, and nothing that the sales rep. played sounded like the real thing, but to me it never does. I hear Andreas play beautiful horn solos that sound great in the mix ,but alone at a keyboard I just don't hear it.----on ANY keyboard. Now on to what I DID like:
When I tried to buy a PA80 I gave up on the breaks and fills. They just did not work well for me. That has changed. Very easy to move from variation to variation,with and without fills, and not have to be right on the exact second for it to have a smooth transition. It was as easy as a Yamaha----but sounded much better than any Yamaha! The styles and backing parts are outstanding------the very best that I have yyet heard. Styles from the PA80 or the old I-series sound sooooo much better. The sound is alive and clear, the effects are first class, and the drums are just great. I want it I want it I want it!
I do agree with Dave about the touch screen. It is hard to know that you have hit the right spot----there is no feedback like a button gives you. You have to stare at the screen and pay attention to It, instead of all the other things you could be doing. For me, in my home studio, no problem. For a live performer, not so sure. This may be no big deal when the machine becomes second nature to you. I also sometimes wanted the screen to stay where it was but it would close before I was finished with it. Again, this a problem for the novice and not the expert. They were talking shipping in the fall. You will want to see for your self, but if the PA80 had handled like this one then I would own it today. I'll be watching for the price to drop over this next year or so Did I say I want one? I want one!

[This message has been edited by Bill E (edited 07-20-2003).]