Pro,
At this point for me $3K is my top limit of perceived value by me for ANY board and even that I have to talk myself into that amount. The only thing that factors in, is that to get the features, that's what it costs.

I too think for the $3k. they should have added some of the features that the 9k has. I actually think features wise all in all, the 9k is a better value from the expandability point of view.

For me to go above $3K, they are going to have to add, an arppegiator, a cd, slots for expansion boards at the very least.
jam on,
Terry