Nord. Their prices and the current changing scene in general

[offrhodes]

well, let's be honest. It's a luxury item (no disrespect intended, happy owner here). As you wrote, cheaper alternatives exist. And I think you've already made a rational case for yourself that the price (given your circumstances, location etc) is unreasonable.
If I start arguing prices of luxury items, I'm just flying my pre-programmed trajectory in the marketing pinball machine... Break free of that, find a different option that makes more sense for you and have no regrets later.

[analogika]

I’m not entirely sure I’d qualify a work tool as a “luxury item.”

Beyond that, what you say holds true.

[Gambold]

>Behringer is coming to the fore<

Behringer is not "coming to the fore." They aren't coming anywhere. They are a long-standing, low-end music equipment manufacturer with a solid market. Their stuff is cheap and does not have the build quality or the life-span of even the moderately-priced lines, much less upper-end products like Nord.

Behringer is great for young people or musicians just starting out. They have some pedals and some recording/PA stuff that can be useful at that level. But everyone who stays in music, for business or pleasure, soon moves on from Behringer.

[Gambold]

>well, let's be honest. It's a luxury item<

I disagree. It's an expensive item, to be sure. That doesn't make it a luxury...some people need top-shelf equipment to do their best work. It's for this reason that most professional musicians buy expensive things like Les Paul Standards or vintage Fender Bassman amps or Nord Stage 3s. When you buy something like this you are getting the best craftsmanship and features that are out there. If you can afford the best, you should get the best.

That's not saying less expensive is bad - much of it is great. But it's not a luxury simply to purchase something that's expensive.

[NoDirection]

Remember that Nord manufacture their products in Sweden, not in a low cost country like many of the competitors. I think the great quality and innovative products that this small Swedish company are able to offer justify the price-tag. Quality cost a little more - look at the prices of resent Mac-books, quality cars etc... If you are going for the best - you have to pay more...