Alesis Andromeda A6

Hey all.  I'm new to this group, and figured I would ask the opinion of other 
Andromeda owners on this issue.  I appologize for the long post, feel free to 
ignore it if you choose.

I have owned my A6 since the first one hit the music store (late 2001 I think?) - 
I snapped it up immediately.  I am thoroughly pleased with the sounds I make 
with it, and will probably keep it forever.

The problem is this:  With an ATA Cat 1 flight case, this monster weighs more 
than a body building gorilla.  As a gigging musician, I have been seeking a 
lighter alternative, just to take to shows, and leave the Andromeda in the 
studio.  I have been considering 3 or 4 octave synths and rack mount synths 
with a midi controller.

I generally play basslines, frequently play pads and add effects.  I am not a 
particularly good keyboardist - simple riffs or chords is all I can do.
Before I go on, I will assert that I love analogue synthesis.  I find the stepped 
parameter changes of virtual analogue to be absolutely infuriating - those 
slow filter sweeps that click off in 127 little increments are not usually fun.  
However, since the selection of true analogue synths is limited, I will have to 
consider good quality VA synths.

I picked up a Korg MS2000R (the rack version).  Though it's absolutely simple 
to program, it's quite dull sounding, particularly compared to the A6.  Plus, it 
only gets 4 "patches" of modulation.  Rather frustrating when you're used to 
bijillions of mods on the A6.  I am probably gonna sell it on ebay soon, as 
soon as I find a better sounding replacement.

I know that the Waldorf Pulse and Moog Voyager are both good analogue 
synths, but I need at least a little polyphony; a monosynth won't cut it.

I won't consider a Novation product - I owned in the past, and used it for a 
trade in to get my Andromeda, and I have no intention of going back either.

I have been thinking about the Virus C (the desktop model) - does anybody 
have an opinion on it?  Can it do the job?  The Nord Lead looks good too...

Anybody know anything about the Alesis Micron?  It looks like a nice tiny 
gigging synth.  Any idea when it will be released?

Opinions on any others?  The Q series?

Thanks for any advice...  I genuinely appreciate it.

L8er
Marcus
montrealbreaks