Thanks guys (and Rikki) for the input here so far. I’m glad I decided to ask for help as I get zilch input from the salesmen in the music stores. But, at least I can FIND a local Korg a lot easier than I can a local Ketron SD5.

How I got turned on to the Korg sound is as follows: About a month ago I found a video cassette that Korg had sent me of this fellow Stephen Kay playing an i3 at a concert in Japan. He was doing it solo (also singing). He was so good that I could close my eyes and think he was working with a band. That impressed me considering the technology was 15 years old.
http://www.karma-lab.com/mg/ag-pd.html (the song is Glory Road, but it sounds much better on my tape as he sings and backs himself up)

Anyhow, I’m going to Sam Ash tomorrow to spend a few hours on the PA800. Unfortunately, the salesmen have already advised me they’re not conversant with it, so I’m hoping I can figure it out myself.

“Great style editing & creation functions”…yes that’s also important to me. My understanding is the Ketron is limited in that department.

Forums:
Korg user forum” scale 1-10= 10 another reason I’m partial towards Korg
Ketron user forum scale 1-10= 0

The Korg demo’s….yes, they sound a little TOO good. I’m wondering how many of them are actually MIDI files. Still the sounds are quite authentic sounding. Nice trumpets…..I love trumpets.

“But the available Korg style library was pale in comparison to the Yamaha's” Lucky: But someone said recently in another thread that although Korg doesn’t have that many styles out there, what they DO have kicks butt? What do you guys think?

Lee: I didn’t think the drums sounded thin, but then again I wasn’t really listening to them that closely, and particularly on good speakers. That’s one of the things I’m going to check out tomorrow at Sam Ash. In all fairness, I’m not crazy about the Ketron drums. My understanding is that only the Ketron Latin drum set was “recorded.” I don’t hear a lot of “punch” in them on big band. But I’m still thinking analog, as in my old Yamaha RX7 drum machine which I still have.

Diki hit the nail on the head: “I simply think that Korg have some of the most creative, 'hip' style programmers out there.”

THAT’S what’s making it sound so good. Really good styles and “rock” styles. Also I think they used top notch players to make some of those demos.

Zuki: nice comments…….very encouraging…you should be doing promotions for Korg!

I’m not downplaying the Ketron. At this point, I think they’re both good bang for the buck. But as I said, what Korg has going for it is 3 things: support, support, support….and a good deal of “visibility”…..and a FUTURE!

I’ve ruled out the Tyros, and Roland looks like it’s dropping out so I’d like to hear some more comments about your opinions on either the PA800 or the PA2x PRO if you don’t mind. This is going to be a $4,000 decision I have to make without the luxury of spending a lot of time on it in the store as they‘re not located near me. I don’t think I’m going to go with the Ketron, only because I’d feel like I’d be on an island with it here in the States.

[This message has been edited by Lucky2Bhere (edited 03-23-2009).]