Personally, I think where Yamaha has surpassed the great PSR-3000, is with the introduction of SA/SA2 voices (S900/S910 and relevant Tyros models), and the ease whereby even an amateur player, can bring off realistic expressions of the instruments they emulate.

Being an instrumentalist (many arranger players on SZ rely mainly on their vocals) having realistic instrument emulations is very important to me.

With SA/SA2, the more recent Yamaha arrangers are a cut above previous models, and with the Tyros4 being able to use these SA/SA2 instruments in styles, the difference is even more marked.

Hearing a PA-50SD (or KMA), and a PSR-3000, and comparing them, my vote goes to the latter for realism in the styles (mega voices) and the right hand voices, especially the guitars and pianos ...they are far superior...of course, this is my personal opinion...sound is always subjective. I do notice that several SZ members are still using (and enjoying) a PSR-3000, whilst the number still using a PA-50SD appears to be rather small.

It is only with the introduction of the dirt cheap KMA, that a few have drifted towards Korg...most of these same people never gave the then new PA-50SD a second glance, until it's technology was recently repackaged into a more inexpensive (and albeit, relatively more portable) instrument.

Has Yamaha come that far? I'd say yes. The recent addition of on-board Audio, (or Audio to USB on the mid-range), recording is another great feature.

However, so has Korg with their DNC and other features.

The arranger instruments from both manufacturers have been steadily, and markedly, improved over a period of time.

Roland, however, seems to be at a standstill with arrangers...none with anything substantially new sound wise, and none a fitting successor to the G-70/E-80.

Ian