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I got my PA500 two days ago which was a demo model from my local store, they didn't have a boxed one, so I got a tiny discount, however they didn't have the power adapter, a few minutes ago I just went to a friend of mine who has a PA500 and when I plug the AC adapter the small plastic circle inside the keyboard just fell off, All you can see now is 2 pieces of metal and seems pretty dangerous for me. I can't believe how unreliable those keyboard are, I bought a custom(highly expensive and high quality hard case for it, almost 400 hundred), I ordered 2 korg adapters online (expensive because I wanted it to get them with a next day by UPS as a shipping method) so I can get it by friday march 20th.
I can't believe how they(korg) put a proprietary connector, because the power adapter 12V 3.5A 42 watts is manufactured by DVE. and the thin male connector inside the AC adapter looks very fragile, definitely not suited for live situations. this is only my second korg, from a long list of synth and arrangers, however my worst ever stills stands for the N5EX my parents gave me as a gift back in 1999, we are not talking about quality sounds here, we are taking about quality knobs, keys and a general construction from the keyboard. I'm going to return it, and not sure if will get the same one, will decide I think between the roland E60 they have on sale(same PA500 price) or the psr-s900. unfortunately the pa800 doesn't look that rough either, but at least have a regular PC power cord connector, but we are talking about 2 times the price of the PA500. hypothetically if I would to spend 29 hundred, I rather buy the fantom G6 or the motif xs7

Too bad, and I really feel sorry for you. But I think it probably has to do with the fact that it is a used/demo model.
In some stores the instruments are awfully bad treated. I've seen that many times myself.

I got my PA500 brand new and haven't got one single complaint about the building quality and/or installation.
In fact, I find it a very robust instrument, certainly compared to the Yamaha and Roland instruments you mentioned (which I also tried out extensively). They have a really cheap, plastic building quality.

I must admit that I don't gig (home use only) and I'm very careful with the instrument.

So I don't think your experiences apply to all Korg PA500's.
Sorry... and I sure hope there will be a good and fast solution for you.
But my advice: Stick to Korg, for better sounds & styles!

Grtz, Fransman

Yesterday I was in store and saw a PA500 but there was nothing wrong with the build quality as far as I could see. I was interested because of the power connector thread here on the forum.

It is less good than the PA800 of course, but for the rest seems nothing wrong with it.

If you buy a demo-modell you know they could be less taken care of. How would you know if the arranger has fell on the ground for example ?

I wasn't intended to purchase a floor(demo) model, never, ever, however I need desperately a second keyboard for a live performing with my band this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. When I called those morons over the phone to verify stock, they said to have plenty, then I realize not many people buy korg arrangers at least in south florida, there was plenty of arrangers from the competition, psr-s900 and s700, and e50, e60 and e80, regarding the pa800, there was only one available, and you guess...the floor model. disappointed being SA the second largest music store in the US.
The fact is the PA500 connector looks like a Toy to me very fragile, not intended obviously for the live musician, everything else seems to be fine. On the other hand pa800 would be overkill for my current needs, a way overpriced in my opinion. just my 2 cents.

I went to my local music store really upset and asked for a refund, they gladly found another store who have it in stock(50 minutes driving) and honored my old price, not bad after all. This PA500 really shines, taking over my current favorite PSR-S900, In a near future will consider to get a PA800 or even a PA2X if I get a good deal. Will combine both for live performing, piano sounds still better on yammie, USB to device(pen drives) should be mandatory by today standars, watch for my GW-8 feature, usb connector is located on front, SD card is a real pain, everything else korg beats it.

Well, you will have not a problem with the PA800. Of course no USB on PA500 and favorites styles, otherwise: who would by the PA800