I think brand loyalty limits one's choices. It's better to approach other brands with an open mind as every brand has something to offer. There's no best.

The competition has been eliminated and the big company's today are a monopoly and after you buy a keyboard the lifespan is 3-6 years then after that, no parts available and you are scrambling on your own to figure it out, although Korg is my loyalty, they have disappointed me many times, but because they are the only ones supported by the kind of music I play, I am forced to have the most equipment by them, but then again I feel KORG gives you the most bang for the money period, I am talking from experience because I had every brand you can imagine over my career.

I was loyal to Technics , from the kn1000 to the Kn7000. Some were bought unseen. I had problems with the Kn6000, after three trips to repair they sent me a new Kn6500.

No problems with the Korg and Yamaha keyboards I have owned.
One problem in all the years I am playing, that says a lot for the Technics, Korg, and Yamaha.
John C.

Huge Korg guy here. I believe they made great strides with their 800 (a total OS revamp and the amazing Songbook introduction).

I had (2) 800 screens go bad and Korg sent new screens for free. That's enough to keep me loyal.

Just started working with the 1000 again. This time around, I see great potential (I do think it takes a 2nd and sometimes 3rd look in to things).

Still using my pa1000. Happy with it. This was not an out of the box player but a little attention and wow. The best ever. It does every thing I need and more.

MEL

I had a Korg MicroArranger which I really loved. I added John Smies Resources to it and they were the best thing I did for it. One day it quit on me. Turned out the board failed. No problem I thought except the price of a replacement board was double what the price of the new KMA was and that did not include the installation cost. Oh yes, Korg did not have the replacement. Had to find a company that sells parts for older electronics to find one.

Today I am a Ketron fan. I have used the Ketron SD7 keyboards, the SD90 Module, and now use the SD40 module. So far Ketron has met all my gigging needs. Through the years I have owned Yamaha Psr300, T3, T4, T5, and Genos - Korg KMA, PA1000, and PA4X, Roland E50 and E80. All of them were very good and all of them had their short comings. Those I wished I had kept included the PA1000, the KMA, and the Roland E50.

Who knows what the future holds for the arranger player world. Right now I don't see anything being offered that rocks my boat more than the Ketron equipment I now own.

Deane

I see no reason for brand loyalty. Use what you feel fits your needs, regardless of brand. Before Arrangers I had a full Korg setup, drum machine , two keyboards and bass pedals. Then my first Arranger, a Roland RA 90 , then on to a RA95, G1000, and now BK9. My reason for staying with Roland is I'm too lazy to learn a new system and redo all my songs to fit the new Styles. I hate the time I have to put in editing now and I know my way around the BK9 pretty well. Whatever floats your boat.

The only reason i see for brand loyalty is backward compatibility..
Meaning you can use all your old files on your new instrument..

I don't know which brand deserves my loyalty. I had a Roland E50 and regretted selling it. Yamaha YPG 525, big disappointment and gave it away. PSR S950, because I got a very good deal and needed a KB quickly to continue gigs, sold it for a good price and then acquired a PSR S975, another good deal.In retrospect I should have researched more and not make any hasty decisions. From what I know now, I should have tried a Korg PA1000. Will I ever be happy? Like others said before there a advantages and disadvantages, there is no perfect Arranger Keyboard. So,I'll make the most of what I have now and be satisfied with it.

I have Yamaha, Korg and Ketron at home. They all have their strong and week points , they are certainly capable of making fantastic music in the right hands....

I’m happy with what I got, but I’m longing for something else...... I’ve never had a Roland and I think I’d like a BK9, but I absolutely no need for one!