Well THIS thread certainly has some opinions that are veering dangerously OT.

(But what the hell - it's Christmas - and Synthzone - hee hee )

2 best things I ever bought? (both '07)

A. The Roland Cube Guitar Amp (for my Wife).

What a FANTASTIC little Guitar Amp. Digitally models all the famous Amps plus has an Acoustic Mode which makes your Electric sound almost exactly like a good Acoustic Guitar (with the Gain turned up) AND it has a plethora of FX (Phasing, Tremolo, Delay etc etc) all for $380 (Aust Dollars) - 30 watts and never had to mike it in ANY venue - big or small - we've played!!
(umm... keeper!)

B. The recently purchased PA1-X Pro Elite (got it for a stunning price brand new).

I always meant to post a mini review of this keyboard, but I've had too much fun playing it and spent too much time plumbing it's depths - DEEP depths. Possibly the most balanced arranger I've played - does Old stuff great, New Stuff great, and everything in between.

I recently went into a Major music store I rarely get to visit that has most boards.
I had a tinker with all the keybeds I could find - Yamaha's, Rolands, More Korgs, Workstations AND arrangers.
I was afraid I would like the other key actions better (as I bought the Pro "blind") and I was especially afraid to try the G-70 as I thought it would blow away the action of the Pro.

Being really truthful and honest here.

NOTHING felt as good to me as my Korg, not not even the G-70 *waits for Fran to come running to his PC with a pithy comment at the ready* which just goes to show you 2 things.
One, I was extremely lucky buying blind, and two, key feel is VERY subjective - what's tasty for one man is another man's poison.

(Keeper again).

I've actually had no real duds yet...