I am considering going the akai route for buying some of my gear. Like the AX60 for starters. Then maybe add a sampler, and effects units, and even a drum machine.

Even though AKAI is no longer produceing musical instruments. I feel that they had produced some very good equipment. With the expection of the S612 and AX7000 samplers. Both of which used quick disks and had limited memory. Although I may get an s612 for posterity because it went with the ax60. But not as a useful sampler. AKAI made better ones.