I read what you wrote about the M3, so I�m still just as enthused about it, but, bottom line, I�m mega-enthusiastic about the Oasys.
Shame we couldn't meet up because I could give you a demo of both that would show you just how good the M3 is, but also why the OASYS is in a completely different class altogether.
Both are positive experiences, but obviously the OASYS experience is vastly different. You end up going beyond things like does a piano sound like a piano and into another world of clarity.
After reading this whole page, I can see it wasn�t my imagination when I thought it sounded better than anything on the market. Plus, it�s one beautiful instrument!
Every OASYS user on KORG forums will tell you the exact same thing. KORG have even been saying it themselves since they OASYS was first announced. The problem is trying to let people who haven't played the OASYS to try understand all this. Your lucky because you have, but even at that you still really don't know who far it goes. You need to hear all the other Engines and actually sit down and sequence a song, or play with the COMBI sounds.
Here's a little something I sequenced a while back and I think it partly demonstrates how you can run many tracks at the same time and still have super clean separation and clarity in your mix.
http://www.irishacts.com/mp3/OASYS-Forest-Gump.mp3 Bear in mind though that you will not be able to hear the true sound of the OASYS from an Mp3. In case your wondering what the tune is I sequenced, its the Feather Theme to Forrest Gump the movie.
Discontinued simply means that no new features will be implemented. KORG will continue to support it like they do all their products. Even if someone finds a bug 1 year from now, KORG will fix it and release a new OS.
This has always been their way. Just look at KORG forums and you will see what I mean. There's a number of KORG Tech guys hanging out there. Even the guys who built the OASYS.
Regards
James