As far as I am concerned, having a BK-9 and two G70's...

Other than the lack of a touch screen (and the iPad apps can return that functionality, mostly) and the 2 UPR/1 LWR 1MBASS rather than 3 UPR/2LWR/1MBASS, as far as I care everything else is BETTER on the BK-9, at least when it comes to sound.

Drums and bass are a massive improvement, B3 sim is a massive improvement, guitars are a massive improvement (SN guitars are to die for!), percussion is a massive improvement. Just about every element in the G70's soundset has been matched or bettered.

Insert effects is massively improved... G70 had 1 MFX (2 if you used some cables and some fancy programming), BK-9 has 5. With parameters you can assign to sliders. Big improvement!

Yes, sadly, the touch screen went, along with the TOTL action, aftertouch, and the 3 UPR parts (and the harmonizer, which I don't use). But in return, we got the return of the chord sequencer (hurray!) and easily sync-able audio loops, triggered either by keys or by footswitches. A worthy trade off, IMO.

We also got a drop of more than HALF the G70's weight (to less than 21 lbs for a good feeling 76!) and still a nice crisp action, albeit no aftertouch (which again I didn't use a lot on the G70). And, the icing on the cake, it came in under $1000 less than the G70, street price.

I'll say that again... $1000!

That, IMO puts it more in comparison with an E60, which it quite destroys... All in all (and you know how big a G70 fan I am!), I have no regrets about getting the BK-9. As far as I am concerned, Roland do not yet make an arranger comparable to the G70 for it's build and keybed, touch screen and superb action (and extra UPR/LRW Parts). But if they took the BK-9 and merely grafted on those things alone, it would easily beat out the G70 (and cost as much!).

Screen issues aside (and the iPad apps fix that problem, mostly), the BK-9 is destined to be my main axe, soon... If you are worried about sound issues, don't be. Don't let wanky demonstrators sour you on this arranger. Listen to the GOOD ones. I recommend these: http://www.youtube.com/user/LaPietradelParagone/videos as they are all live arranger playing. This is what a BK-9 CAN do. If you are good..!