We've all said our piece, and all points are valid. Funny how some old gear keeps popping up in conversation. If anyone ever saw me perform on that i5s I'd get laughed off the stage .... UNTIL they heard it.

s'all gud.

I didn't like the design myself or the new panel memory buttons and was very reluctant to trade in my KN6500 which was a fantastic board.
However, the new sounds and the convenience of the SD card along with other features soon convinced me that I had made a good choice.

Never had a Korg so I know nothing about the PA4x but to compare boards with a 12 year age difference means very little although I do knw that my KN7000 has some sounds which better my Tyros 4.

Technics were the innovators in the field at the time and despite what many think, they didn't stop selling or go bust but were closed down by the parent company, Panasonic, who said they made more profits on their TVs, Hi-Fi's, Vacuums and other electricals without putting a lot of R&D into their keyboard lines.
I'm quite sure that a KN8000 with a more traditional design would have still sold like hot cakes.

At the end, we all have different likes (which is a good thing or there would be no choice left) so it's good that everyone thinks that their own board is the bees knees but I also think that there have been no great strides made by any company since the demise of Technics and that's very sad.
Tony

For what it's worth - I am still using a KN2000 for my school/synagogue programs. It has been a workhorse for me in the many years I have had it. The piano sound is terrible by today's standards, but the EP's, basses, and other sounds are more than useable. I would love a kurzweil micropiano -they're old, yes, but the piano sounds on board the little thing are great.

Thoughts?

I would love to see a new Technics arranger, indeed.