Great topic, chas.

In my case, I've stuck with the i30 because it does all that I need it to do, simple as that. Like Gary's 3000 or Diki's G70, it's been a tireless and dependable workhorse. I recently bought a used Pa1XPRO and have spent quite a bit of time tweaking, getting all my registrations from the i30 in there, but modifying this and that. And the 1X, being a much deeper board, I'm always finding new things to incorporate. My wife calls me a sort of musical proctologist because I'm always digging around looking for something new ('cause I know it's in there). And it won't be out on gigs until I can pretty much fly it blind. I have a drawback with the harmonizer on it, but that's another story.

Plus, because I'm used to the Korg way of doing things, I didn't want to jump ship to another manufacturer and have to learn a new way. Familiarity, in this case, breeds less stress.

I agree with abacus that it's not what you play, etc. I can think of many instances where I've worked with some pretty respected session guys whose gear you'd think belonged in a thrift store - till they put their hands on it.