I keep trying to explain that the innards of things like the Audya are completely different to a normal computer. I really don't know why some here refuse to acknowledge something they could confirm as easily as opening up their arranger and taking a look. You all make it sound like there's some vast conspiracy to deny you all vast RAM amounts, or the latest greatest peripheral connectivity standards, or high def video out, yada yada yada...

The truth is, these things work off of proprietary chips, not the motherboard of some off the shelf computer. I mean, this is bloody obvious, because it's next to impossible to get a modern motherboard WITHOUT USB2, and plenty of RAM addressing. The MS and Wersi are the only arrangers based around normal computer hardware. The rest use RISC chips, dedicated hardware chips, etc., which are cheaper than a full motherboard, but don't get made as fast as technology turns over. They are made in quantity, which assures cheapness, but are expensive to tool up for. Which is why you'll usually find arrangers and other keyboards trailing the tech curve.

Look, it's simple. Want multi GB sized RAM, even streaming RAM? Want USB2? Want hi-def video out? Want to play with VSTi's and huge RAM sized samples?

Get an MS. The tool you want exists. The trouble is, if you want to be on the bleeding edge, you've got to be prepared to bleed...

It seems to me that, if you are willing to make huge sample sets work on an Audya (remember, virtually NO sample set for one sampler comes in to another sampler with all its' associated synth programming intact... you'll have to do ALL the voice programming yourself), you are probably technical enough to make the MS work for you, and it has ALL the modern gewgaws that you are always clamoring for.

In the meantime, pay close attention to Robbo's post. This is a point I've made in the past. GB sized RAM amounts and high speed load up are OK, but what's the POINT if you are stuck with an arranger that the factory has made few new styles for in YEARS? If you prioritize your needs in an arranger, let's face it, plenty of new styles, and often, is WAY higher on the list than an increase in the RAM. Things like this, and the inability for the sound engine to stream fast enough to make playing ALL chords in audio possible rank FAR higher on the list of things to worry about, IMO.

Past performance is always a good indicator of future efforts, and, no matter what Ketron SAY, I'd be basing my expectations of new styles (and even new features) on what Ketron has done in the past. So don't hold your breath waiting for a boatload of new styles every now and then. Or a GB of RAM