Ok..I am a bit hesitant to do this because sounds are so subjective to our individual tastes ...some may not agree and that is ok too...but...here goes my opinion of PSR740 and 9k vs PA80 sounds..As I stated before I like the PA80 styles better but here I'll just go by sounds. I own both the 740 and PA80 and have played extensively on the 9000 non pro model

by groups...

Pianos : here I like the PSR series better for bright acoustic piano sounds..although the PA80s more muted sounds work nicely too for some things..winner: Yamaha

El pianos: Both have many varieties..I like the vintage sounds a bit better on PA80, the modern sounds are both good Winner: PA80 slight edge

Organs: Both have very good organs and both have drawbar functions, but I much prefer the vintage B3 types on the PA80
Winner PA80

Mallett / bells: I dont use them enough to be able to give a good evaluation but from what I have used I'll call it even

accordians / harmonicas: love that sweet harmonica sound on the Yamaha..korg has a very decent harmonica sound..but not as good..Both have decent accordians..Winner: Yamaha

Acoustic guitars: Both have nice acoustic sounds.. very close here but I think the PA80 wins ..a bit more realistic for me.

Electric guitars: Big advantage for PA80..I think for me it is more in the effects than the samples themselves. I just hate the Yamaha distortion and OD digital effects. I even preferred the Casio MZ2000 electrics by far over the Yamahas. The PSRs are ok for rythyms but I wouldnt think of trying to imitate a raunchy blues solo with any of them. Electric blues and Modern Jazz / Jazz fusion are my staple genres so guitar sounds are big for me. The PA80 does a nice strat impression and I made my own " carlos" guitar sound program on the PA80 and love it.. Winner: PA80 big

Bass: I do a lot of bassline work too..Both are very competent.. I like the traditional bass sounds a bit better on the PA80. both have good synth bass sounds
Winner: slight edge to PA80

Strings: I like the ensembles on both..but I dont like the acoustic solo violins as much on the 740. The Yamaha can be improved vastly when I use the VL synthesis function on violins ( from seperate software )..It makes an improvement on acoustic violins..but out of the box I'll take the PA80s..which isnt perfect either. On the more synth side..I'll always prefer the Korg sounds, but Yamaha does a very nice jobn here too. winner: Korg

Trumphets / Trombones : both give a very good accounting of themselves..I love the Yamaha Mute trumpet but overall I give the PA80 a slight advantage here.

Brass: I don't use all that much brass..I'm not a traditional jazz or big band styled player as a rule..but I do like the sounds better on the PA80..winner : PA80

Saxophones: Another sound I love to use often: Both have very decent if not mind blowing sax sounds..I really like the folk sax on the pa 80 but the Yamaha growl sax rules on rock oriented songs. Overall I think the breathy sounds are a bit more realistic on the PA80. A lot of folks might be skeptical on this..but of the boards I've owned..nothing sounded as good to me as the velo sax sound from the MZ2000. still since this is korg vs yamaha..i'll give the edge to the PA80,..not withstanding the great growl sax of the Yamaha.

woodwinds/flutes: Love that sweet flute sound of the Yamaha..Korg has nothing quite as good..overall though..for the rest of the woodwinds its close.....I like the pa80 shaku and jazz flute sounds a lot.. winner: Yamaha for that one great flute sound.

Synth sounds: Yamaha has some good ones..and many that I use unedited ..but overall I like the PA80's better. In my opinion the staple of the Triton engine is its synth sounds. I haven't played much with the 9k synth engine and aside from using xg works add on software, the 740 has virtually no synth editing capabilities..so I would carefully check to see what the 2000 can do in that dept if synth editing is an issue for you..The PA80 has the editing capabilities of a pro synth.
Winner: PA80

Drums: both have good drums but again I prefer the korg sounds all though with some editing in xg works I can get the yamaha drums to sound alomost as good..Out of the box though..big advantage ovearll to PA80

FX...ok...there are so many that it is hard to generalize here..but...while both are very good I find that I prefer more of them on the PA80..winner Korg.

Ok so there is my take on it..I guess overall I prefer Korg sounds in general ( again that is very subjective though ) but for certain instruments ( that great sweet flute comes to mind ) I will definitely use my 740. If I could only use one, because the guitar and drum sounds are so important to me as well as the saxes..I'd easily go with the PA80 even against the 9000 if just judging sounds and styles alone... but features are another issue vs the 9000 ( not the 2000 though..it obviously wont have the features of a PA80 ) and Im waiting anxiuosly to see what the new os in the PA80 will do.. also..If acoustic piano is going to be your staple sound and the styles arent that big a deal..you might prefer the Yamaha..I've seen that many other people prefer the yamaha acoustic pianos and it's no mystery to me why..and for the price of a PA80 you may be able to find a left over 9000.. Drums and strings are competent enough on both and I'm sure you'll like either. If synth editing is a major consideration, them I would be careful to see what the 2000 offers. The PA80 is a top flight board for an arranger in that respect with no additional sampling capabilities but plenty of good raw samples to choose from internally. The 9k I think is also a very good board in that respect and does have some sampling capabilities

Good luck to you on your purchase...
AJ




[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 10-09-2001).]