Grandpa Doug,

Thanks for your post.

I play the kn6500. I like the way it sounds better than any of the other arrangers I've heard and played, which include the PA-80, 9000pro and VA-7. I've never tried or heard the Ketron or GEM models. I can't seem to find any in my neck of the woods.
However, I'm not married to Technics and I always keep an open mind.
I've spent about an hour on the KN-7000 and I liked what I heard. If not for the Yamaha Tyros, which I would really like to hear live, I would've already upgraded to the 7000.