Help me to decide: Roland MKS-30 (+PG-200) or Oberheim Matrix-1000

[AnalogGuy]

I have now a budget about 300-400 euros and I want to have comfortable poly-analog for strings and brasses. I found 2 nice synths for the budget but it's very hard to decide:

 

1. Roland MKS-30 with PG-200 programmer, 350 euros.

 

2. Oberheim Matrix-1000, 300 euros.

 

Both are DCO which does not bother at all. I used to own Matrix-6r and now I am missing it. Of course I certainly would like to buy MKS-30 because of the programmer BUT, MKS-30 contains same chips as Juno-106 so isn't it just matter of time until it will fail? I can't afford repair so stable&trusted Matrix-1000 would feel personally better option.

 

Any guides regarding to MKS-30? Luckily it's located near so I can test it personally before buying.

[Chando]

I'd say MKS-30. Since the programmer usually goes for that much alone these days. I feel the JX series sometimes sounds quite OB'ish.

 

Btw - those chips aren't too hard to track down.