Like I said previously, I hope they succeed with the Audya too Donny.

I suppose these "reviews" that we're hearing should be taken with a grain of salt, nevertheless, it still sends kind of a chill up my spine (instead of the proverbial "thrill up my leg" ), if you know what I mean.

I have no doubt that Ketron has made many good products in the past.. in the past.. in the past.. in the past. Do I hear an echo in here? The present is what we are faced with and the future is not a guaranteed proposition by any means. Just look out your proverbial window at all the companies that are currently going belly up as we speak. We can hope and expect for the best but should be prepared just in case, right Donny? Ketron, being a relatively small company compared to Yamaha or Roland, etc., needs to continue to make products that consumers will buy - and do it on a consistent basis and in relatively large numbers. OR, as the saying goes: adios muchachos.

I hope they survive and thrive as a company of course. But I'm troubled by the loooonnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggggggg Audya delay, the high price tag forthcoming for the "privilege" - by the way, I use that term lightly - of owning the Audya, and the negative reports that are trickling in from synth zone members (amongst others) around the internet who have personally played or own it. And when I saw GEM, which was another relatively small company - kick the bucket, I have some trepidation towards Ketron who is in that same league as GEM as far as company size goes; and maybe in sales too for that matter.

Sure, you can be a fan boy and shell out whatever it takes and get an Audya but personally, I would rather judge the keyboard by its true worth and make my decision based upon facts and reality and based on my own specific needs; instead of buying into the hype for hype's sake or knowing that you have the latest model or gadget to hit the market so you can boast in that vein, etc. Newest does NOT always mean "best" or better, if you know what I mean. As an example, take the Tyros2 vs. Tyros3 for instance? lol.. >> I'm sure I ruffled Ian's feathers with that statement no doubt. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/wink.gif[/img] Oh well, he'll get over it... maybe. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/biggrin.gif[/img]

But I will withhold my final judgment on the Audya until I can gather more information and hear from other reports that start to filter in from respected sources. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/smile.gif[/img] If the Audya ever gets reviewed from the likes of Sound On Sound or Keyboard magazine you can likely "bank" on their forthcoming prognosis as a reliable indicator of the Audya's real true worth. >> That's not by any means to say that leezone or mrdave, etc. are not valued for their opinions though, because they are. And I, for one, appreciate their open and honest opinions regarding this beast (or "so" called beast [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/wink.gif[/img]) and commend them for speaking from their hearts and being upfront and direct with us. [img]http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/smile.gif[/img]

All the best,
Mike