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.

The AX-60 is an awesome synthesizer . So is the AX-80 .

Agreed.
And add the S612 to it in combination with the ax60, as allthough very limited with sample memory (max 8 secs) the limitation is it's strength as well.
1. very easy to work with
2. due to the time limit sampled sounds sound very natural,(no endless lasting tones)and you can trigger them with ax60 wheels.

In fact I had the complete set for sale a while ago (ax60+S612) but after cleaning the dust from them and after cleaning all contacts in the ax60, the test on the working condition decided me to keep them

Oh good! I am glad you guys agree with me in getting an AX-60. I remember a dealer had recomended one too me but I did not have the money at the time too buy one. I have a bid on one on ebay at the moment so I am hoping to win it. Yea, I was thinking about getting the S612. Also I may get a bigger sampler at some point.

I like the S-612 too . It's simple to use , all real time controls , and NO program windows . It may have limited memory but that is fine with me . My Emulator I has only 128k of memory and I still love it .

Do you have the Disk Drive too go with the S612? I know it uses those 2.8 quick disks. Or do you just use the sampler?

Someone told me too stay away from those things, and that you can not buy anymore.

I do have the disk drive ( MD-280 ) . Here in Georgia we have a place called Micro-Center and I get my disks there . Plus there are plenty of places online to get Quickdisks . You can use the 2.8" disks for Smith Corona type writers and word processors . Micro Center even has the 5 1/4" disks for my Emulator . The one here even has the big 8" disks for anyone who has an early Fairlight CMI .

What about some of the other synths and samplers like the X7000 and the s950, MPC3000, or the AX-73? or the s1000?

I noticed AKAI produced and still does alot of samplers mostly rack mount and a few table top/drum samplers as well. But not a lot of synths and keyboards.

I got a chance too listen too the S612. You know for a cheap low grade sampler, it really does not sound all that bad. But finding one is hard and finding the MD280 is next too imposiible. I was lucky enough too find an AX60,on ebay. Also found an AX80.

The X-7000 has more memory and a few other features that the S-612 does not have . The AX-73 is a single oscillator poly synth . It's similar in sound to the AX-60 . The S-900 and S-950 is when Akai really started to make a name for themselves in samplers .