Some great suggestions. Thank you all! Half the fun is searching the net and coming upon a gem or two. But it never hurts to get some ideas from people in the know. Many thanks!
Thanks bitflipper and Robert. Good thing I'm well stocked up on coffee! I'll need it between your links and Roberts! Not leaving anyone out. I truly appreciate all the info from everyone.
 
 

robert_e_bone
http://modularsamples.com/
 
The above has got HUGE Kontakt-format (and other format) sample collections you can download for various synths.  INCREDIBLE - Like maybe 20 GB+ of free stuff.
 
Bob Bone
 

Thanks Bob, you're da man!

Yes yes! Thanks to all.
So, any third party library to crossgrade? Could you name one for reference? I've yet to do any cross-grade stuff.
I might already have something to "trade"!
I want to check into this and be ready for the sales/deals. That makes it much more reasonable! I already feel the Holiday shopping spirit! LOL
Michael

I cant' find the list anymore...but I know Slate Drums EX was one of the cheapest 
of the products to qualify for the Kontakt Crossgrade price...

Also, any of the SoundIron Kontakt Player libraries at www.soundiron.com.
Edith says: link not copying.

Fleer
 
Edith says:

oooooohhhhh Archie...

Fixed..

Thanks Fleer and Larry. As I read the NI page it only lists their own products for cross-grading and that isn't what I thought cross grade meant! I'll check out Soundiron (I've listened to some demos of their stuff) and the SS EX.
 
I've got some funds stashed for other studio items, but plan to sneak Kontakt or Komplete 10 in there. It seems like getting Komplete 10 is the way better deal, even if I have to load/install it all! LOL
 
I got the VST Buzz newsletter with the Aria Sounds London Symphonic Strings and have been feeling like I'll have to go the Kontakt route. Some of the stuff is superb and that pedal steel from Wavelore was only $149 on sale. That is a tenth of what good steel would cost me, and hold me till I buy one.
Michael
 
PS I still haven't found anywhere that says what the third party plugs you can use for cross grading are, nor where that is on the NI site.

From the NI site:

It's not possible to crossgrade from the free KONTAKT PLAYER or any KONTAKT PLAYER-based instruments available directly from the NI Online Shop — including instruments produced in partnership with other companies.

Kinda sounds like crossgrades are only for existing customers. If I'm reading that right, that's an odd definition for "crossgrade".
 

Yeah, confused me too.  This is from the Komplete 10 "Buy It" page where you can choose the cross grade version.
 
"This crossgrade only works for users of KOMPLETE KONTROL S25-88, MASCHINE 2 software (included with MASCHINE STUDIO, and new purchases of MASCHINE and MASCHINE MIKRO), KONTAKT 1-5, REAKTOR 2-5, GUITAR RIG KONTROL 1-5 (but not LE, GO, XE, SESSION or other versions of GUITAR RIG)."
 
None of which I own and so far no other options appear on the NI site, so I'm wondering where and how the third party cross grades are listed.
 
I just saw that I can cross grade from GPO to Kontakt 5 for $249 reg on the Kontakt page. Is that all I have to do to qualify for it? Anyone?
Michael
 
Edit****   I would prefer Komplete over just Kontakt.

Komplete would be the way to go, Michael, definitely at half-price crossgrade.