Diki -
I've had:
PSR 740, 2000, 3000, 9000, T1
Roland EM-2000, VA, EXR, 1000
Korg I30, PA50
Gem SK88
The main reason I like this board is its ease of use. Everything is within reach. Again, I can't say enough about the styles. Like Adimitis said, they ALL are useable. They sound so 'real' to me - the programmers have put a lot of very cool and crisp instruments in the styles and the drums blow me away.
Versus the VA:
1. The E-50 sounds very much the same - sax, organ, etc. They said new guitars, but nah - still the same thin, shrill sound (but ok with me). I've fooled around with the guitar mode and it's interesting. It sounds like the real mccoy and will be another very useful tool. The E piano is a little thin (but I'm starting to get used to it).
2. The 'on the fly' buttons on the E are WAYYY better for live play and as good as anything else I've owned. I love the OTS linked and saved to a user program. I like being able to use a piano mode while the arranger is on and switching back and forth effortlessly. I would never go back to the VA after having this.
3. On past boards, VA included, there was a glitch in some style changes - NOT HERE - they are all dead on!
For me, I don't need all the ports as discussed before - a sustain and line outputs are plenty. I don't like a mic in my keyboard or the harmony feature - I end up sounding like a chipmunk. So, this was made for me.
This is a strange board. It looks as if they took the EM-55 case and buttons and added a host of great features. I love the look, featherweight and found myself playing hours into the night again - that tells me something.
Donny - I'll try to get a song posted soon.
Ian - You were right, pianos are a tad thin, but I can live with them and they sound great in the mix.
Adimitis - I, like you, am enjoying my new toy. I might consider going up to the E-60 in time (unless George wants to give me an E-80 for Christmas
Happy Holidays everyone
zuki