Oh no, it's another one of those annoying 'which synth should I buy?' posts...

So I sold my Yamaha MOXF6 a few weeks ago and I'm looking to replace it with a new master keyboard/controller for my dawless setup.

I should qualify this by saying I'm looking at buying used - the task obviously is to get something as new as possible for as little as possible.

My setup is an MPC1, Cobalt8, Argon8, Wavestate, Deepmind 12D and the little Korg NTS-1.

As I look at it there are several options -

1. First and foremost, I'm considering the Jupiter X.

The main positives for the Jupiter are that it look and sounds amazing from online demos.

There's not a lot online that says how good it is for MIDI controller duties however I'm assuming it will be at least adequate for that task.

It's downsides appear to be the very small screen and the menu diving. However this seems to be mitigated by Roland's stand alone editor.

Unfortunately my budget doesn't quite stretch to the price of a used unit unless I come across one that is very cheap (and then I have to ask myself why is it so cheap?).

2. A MIDI controller married with a Jupiter Xm

- this is more within my budget (kind of a Jupiter X on the cheap?).This is the more likely path I'll tread.

The Novation SL controllers look a good bet though I may have to settle for the 49 key MK2 option as the MK3 61 key versions are the price of a fairly decent used budget synth.

Maybe if I fall in love with the sound of the Xm I could upgrade to an X at a later date?

3. If I can stretch to the cost of a used Jupiter X there is the option of buying a Hydrasynth (the 49 key option) as my master keyboard together with the Xm on main (bread and butter) sound duties.

Tbh even if I can't get to that sort of budget for a Hydrasynth, there is the option of a Modal Cobalt8X or Argon8X as my master keyboard (amazingly they are about the same price used as a decent Midi controller).

This is particularly interesting as I obviously own both the Modal models and some of the patches (especially on the Cobalt) are crying out to be MIDI extended to 16 voices.

4. Given I've disregarded going down the workstation route (and that I'm sold on getting some Roland goodness into my lugholes) other outside contenders are the Integra 7 + master keyboard option or a Jupiter 80.

The Integra was quite an attractive option though its biggest flaw (when compared to the Jupiters) is the lack of polyphony (and also no official editor).

Shame as they have really come down in price recently.

As for the Jupiter 80, for a synth that came out in 2011 (similar to the Korg Kronos) it's really held onto a high used price. Also a lot of them may be over 10 years old now and though built like a Sherman, have probably seen a lot of action.

So they are my options atm - what's your opinion?