Back in the early 80's I'd chosen a kobol as my ideal choice for first synth. But I didn't buy in the end because I couldn't afford to buy a keyboard to control it as well. I've owned many synths over the years, including a rev2 prophet 5 and an EMS AKS. This synth is gorgeous sounding, there's no other way to describe it. It really is beautiful. We live in wonderful times when you can buy something as great as this, which can be plugged straight in and used with gear you already have, for such a low price. And especially so when the product itself is so well made, there's nothing "cheap" about this, except the price. Behringer forever! this is great!