Thanks guys. Perhaps I should have been clearer in my original post.

My query is basically, did technics strip the 2600 of vital basics eg. less variations/fill ins/intro, onboard sound sytem (speakers) or important voices OR is it just less "pro" stuff as in complicated composing and sequencing tools which I wouldnt use anyways.

Another very important thing to me was onboard sound quality (bass and surround) etc. Subwoofers were mentioned for my 5000, can someone give me some advice on that line.

My gut feeling was that the newer the board even if its stripped down version it would have a better sound system due to technology advances in the last 10 years, is that not so?

Thanks!