Hi Spalding
I agree, if I had to just rely on the online demo’s (I think I still have the originals somewhere on my hard drive) then the differences where not that great, however when you listen to them live side by side, (Same sound and speaker system) then there really is a magnitude of difference.

As I have mentioned before, online demo’s very seldom show how good modern boards are. (Most modern boards go way beyond CD quality, and online files (Unless uncompressed) just cant get close (You really do need a 24 bit 96 kHz sound recording/playback system to hear them at there best)

Another good demonstration of this is the old Roland sound engine (E/G series arrangers and previous generation organs (Same sound engine) and the new Atelier range of organs. Online there does not seem that much difference, but compare them live (Same sound system) and there is magnitude of difference.

This is why I never give a solid conclusion of an instrument until I have heard it live.

You should really try and attend one of the UK festivals, (A day pass will do) which I can guarantee will be a real eye (Ear) opener.

Regards

Bill