Since moving to Japan I've experienced an absolute wealth of hardware gear. I've also indulged in purchasing it, researching it, trading it, mixing it... you name it! It's cracking to be learning about it all. From used bargains to new units that get made available before they touch the shores of the western world, its all here.
I know environment is a huge player to the sound that we can experience. I am also curious to other aspects to: like do the shape of my ears make a difference to how I experience a sound when compared to other people? Do certain chains of instruments go well together? My wife and I tried headphones about a year ago and we talked in great detail about our experience and it seemed components created a lot of chemistry between devices and ergo the overall output. Also, how much of a part do the aesthetics sex up our idea? I know I like to obsess over minute details. I am searching for answers all the time. It's a quest that I am very fond of.
I was blown away by the Sub 37 in every shop that I played it. I played the Voyager and I'd like to know why I still preferred the sounds I experienced with the Sub 37 (both were next to each other in the same shop using the same monitors). Any ideas? I also want to try the Sub Phatty to see what I can coax out of it beyond the world of presets.
Roland's System 8 has sounded like it could with a certain "something". It has also produced jarring sounds after a minor amount of tweaking around.
My Minitaur is fatter than fat even before I've ran it through various effects. The MiniBrute has its own character and I'm impressed with the fatness of my JU-06 and the original when I hear it. My Op-1 has a great quality to it. My System 1m is a really great sounding piece. All have their own sonic anchors but I am sure if I am lucky enough to own the Sub 37 it will remain top of the heap, king of the hill, A No.1. (Disclaimer: the Arp 2600 with sequencer combo, Oberheim Sem and other vintage units are not included as I am not at that stage yet.)

The point to all my words is a question.
I'd LOVE to know what you guys think is your biggest sounding best synth straight out of the box? No effects, no eq'ing, nothing. Just straight from opening it up. What has blown you away? I'm still in awe of the Sub 37.
I'm sure all synths could be beefed up with effects but I want to know what you guys think is the number 1 with the biggest sound out of the box. I'd love to click audio/video links to back up your examples because, and I quote from the Sub 37 vs Model D thread, your "buttery" may be another mans "creamy". Maybe you'd choose a good all rounder or maybe pads are thing and you own an original Jupiter 8?
Looking forward to your answers!
