The Yamaha AN1x Synthesizer mailing list

Hi! I just joined. I don't have an AN1x but I actually DO have the Yamaha EX7. Is it true that the VA section of the EX7 is identical to the AN1x? If so, maybe I can learn things by tuning in to this group. 
First of all, I have the EX7 not its bigger brother the EX5. The EX5 supposedly has physical modeling on top of a VA section (AN1x engine) and also the ROM-based synth engine. Now, I see that the AN1x has been referred to as a physical modeling synth...so how does all this pan out, considering what is said about the EX7 and EX5? I currently use a Z1 as my physical modeling synth. It does great strings, great basses, decent brass, and some cool bells and percussion sounds (i.e. marimbas and steel drums). I also think the Z1 is a great VA. So why does virtual analog and physical modeling seem to get put in the same box so much with these synths? Is there a difference? How does the AN1x fit in to all this and physical modeling and comparison to my Z1?