Why the Kronos? I am attempting to replace two instruments with one. Kronos has great pianos and electric pianos, the primary role my MO8 played. It also includes the CX-3 engine for organ. When I play out live, it's 50% organ and 50% acoustic and electric pianos.
 
My hope is that the Kronos can fill both roles, as it's quite versatile. Sound-wise, that'll be no problem. What I'll miss is the light-touch waterfall keys of a dedicated organ.
 
Kronos is the newest incarnation of the OASYS, which in turn grew out of the Triton Extreme. The OASYS was one of those super-synths you'd read about some overpaid rock star buying two of, but most of us could never justify the $8K price tag. Kronos does everything OASYS did and more, but sells for far less. I got the 73-key version, which was about $3800 after adding pedals and case. Still expensive, but it's replacing two instruments that together cost about the same.
 
Kronos is many synths in one. Nine, to be exact. Pretty much every synth that Korg has ever made is in there, so the range of sounds is extraordinary, from bread 'n butter pianos and strings to rich pads, synth leads and out-there SFX. It's also a sampler, sequencer, audio interface and DAW. I can't imagine any features they might have left out.
 
Unlike similar instruments, e.g. the Nord Stage 2, it has a large storage capacity (62 GB), making large sample libraries feasible. The main piano patch is individually sampled for each key, 8 velocity layers, and no looping (each note naturally decays for up to 20 seconds). It sounds better than anything I had for Kontakt. But I could import a Kontakt library if I wanted to. Some users have imported Omnisphere patches.
 
It has a great UI for live performance (yay!). An 8" color LCD touchscreen with a set list / song list view lets you define 16 instruments/combis/sequences per page (up to 128 set lists total), and include notes/lyrics for each one. Finally, something I can work on a darkened stage without a flashlight!
 
The Kronos was not a frivolous choice. Sitting here with zero musical instruments to my name, I've had nothing to do but research. I made a long list of potential replacements, watched a lot of YouTube demos and read synth-oriented forums. I won't know for sure until later today, but I'm fairly confident I made the best possible choice.

Dave, just read your post.  I offer my feelings of rage and sadness for you. 

My Stomach sank as I read your post - please let us know if we can help in any way

Craig, check out a documentary called Kids for Cash, available on Netflix. It'll really make you angry that such things are going on in this country, although (spoiler alert) it does have a happy ending.
 

bapu

drewfx1
 
Not to fan paranoia, but you might consider not posting too many details of your security systems on line.
 
I come from the school that it's better to just say that I've taken a number of measures - some quite obvious,  but some not so obvious - to protect myself.

Maybe you would not to quote them either (in case Dave decide to dlete them in his post). JS.

Good point! Drew be stupid.

bitflipper
...I have access to some non-working cameras. I'll mount those around the house until I can afford real ones. I also plan to install a driveway sensor and add an opener to my gate plus a light down there. That means laying 150' of underground conduit, a major chore. ...

Consider UF (underground feeder) cable. You still have to trench but it does not need conduit. May save you some bucks...

Dave,
I'm just catching up to this.
So sorry for your loss man!
I had this happen to me about 3 and a half years ago. 
People upstairs robbed me as they were being evicted.  I came home after working a long day (was working long shifts all that week) and everything was gone. 
I had to borrow my work laptop to finish a paper for my college class, but they actually left my 12" speakers (I guess they couldn't carry them) and didn't touch my back ups.  Took everything right through the window. 
I didn't have renters insurance or anything.  THAT was tough...
 
I also understand how frustrating the police can be (they were virtually nonexistent for my situation). 
To this day, nothing.
Thank God I've been able to start over.  And it looks like you are (however slow it may be) as well.
 
Stay strong friend.

Well, if they were to recover it now, I'd be subject to a double-whammy, because I'd have to reimburse the insurance company for the replacement gear. It's a no-win situation, and I don't recommend it.
 
That said, I have to say it's been inspiring musically. I think about how I once took all this stuff for granted, how many times I plopped onto the couch and watched TV when I could have been making music. Go without any musical instruments for a while, and no DAW - makes you appreciate how important those things are to a happy life.
 
But the emotional scars will not heal as quickly. I had to leave the house today for a dental appointment, and was so stressed I considered cancelling. I still wake up several times a night and obsessively watch my security camera. And I am still angry. I'm not an angry person, and it's an unpleasantly strange feeling.
 
Trying to stay positive, looking forward to this weekend's gig, the first with my new synth. Also, I have a new stage mike that doesn't smell like last year's spit, so that's good. 

bitflipper
Well, if they were to recover it now, I'd be subject to a double-whammy, because I'd have to reimburse the insurance company for the replacement gear. It's a no-win situation, and I don't recommend it.
 
That said, I have to say it's been inspiring musically. I think about how I once took all this stuff for granted, how many times I plopped onto the couch and watched TV when I could have been making music. Go without any musical instruments for a while, and no DAW - makes you appreciate how important those things are to a happy life.
 
But the emotional scars will not heal as quickly. I had to leave the house today for a dental appointment, and was so stressed I considered cancelling. I still wake up several times a night and obsessively watch my security camera. And I am still angry. I'm not an angry person, and it's an unpleasantly strange feeling.
 
Trying to stay positive, looking forward to this weekend's gig, the first with my new synth. Also, I have a new stage mike that doesn't smell like last year's spit, so that's good. 

Next week my alarm system will be installed. I'm waiting for the camera system to arrive. I will feel much better having something to deter and capture any intrusion. 

Dern that ol soul...she's a cruel mistress.

hang in there Dave.  You're an inspiration to us all..
 

Are you implying I'm morally bankrupt!! 😂