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I went through the same process of trying to decide if I wanted to upgrade to the Kronos 2 from an original Kronos.

I had the opportunity to compare them side by side at a local store.

What I found is that they are very similar. I didn't notice any real difference in screen sensitivity (if anything, I thought the touch screen on the original Kronos was very slightly more sensitive), but one thing that I did notice is that the front fascia was split in two on the Kronos 2, with the screen and a plastic shroud forming the middle section.

In the end, for me I didn't really think it was worth it to upgrade. The other odd thing was pricing - in other parts of the world, the Kronos 2 was less expensive than the original Kronos, whereas here, it was quite a bit more expensive than the original Kronos was at the time, so it didn't necessarily make sense financially to upgrade.

i have to say the build quality is much better on the k2,is it felt a bit cheap on the k1's. it feels like a proper premium product, gold plated phones, heavy duty wooden sides and much sturdier brushed metal panel.

Different perspective for same question:

I bought the original K61 because of my concern with the K88 keybed. I also had to then buy a PX-5S as a weighted controller because my Triton Studio 88 was way to heavy to move around just for a weighted keyboard. I would have originally purchased a K88 and would still have it if there were no keybed concerns.

I did not see enough difference with the KX so didn't even consider it. But bought a K288 as soon as it was available because Korg assured me that the keybed issue was fixed and it had a slightly better processor. I was able to sell the PX-52 and the K61, so the upgrade cost me less than $1,000 and I got to go back to a one keyboard rig. So far so good, except the polyphony was only slightly improved.

I play mostly in a 100% sequenced duo/trio and have been for 20 years. Polyphony has always been a problem, except for the short time I had both the K61 and the K288; which by the way completely solved my polyphony problems. But is seems kinda stupid to me to have 2 of the exact same keyboard.

I am now considering buying a NORD Electro 5D 73 to use as a sound source for my live parts (using the K288 keybed for pianos) which are 95% piano, EP and organ. This would solve the polyphony problems and give me a very light and quality keyboard alternative for my non-sequenced performances.

I would not replace a K2 version if I had a original K of that same version. I would however buy a Kronos module (even a basic sound engine that just added polyphony) or the Kronos successor that had enough polyphony power for what I do. There is nothing that I need the Kronos to do that it doesn't do now except for polyphony. Also I have over 250 highly customized sequences that require and average of about 3 hours each for basic transition to a new keyboard, I am talking 750 of work. Going from, the Triton Studio 88 to the Kronos61 took 9 months and since then I have added at least 75 new sequences.

Thanks everyone so much for all these responses and feedback!

After much consideration, and reading what I have in this thread...I'm going to pass on the K2 for now, and wait to see what Korg does in the next year or two. If my K1 craps-out for any reason, then I suppose I can always get a K2. But I doubt that. I've not had any issue with my K1, other than ONE time recently getting the black screen of death (Kronos has detected a problem...please shut down and restart after 10 sec). That's NEVER happened to me before, and just popped up last week. So...PERHAPS a sign of wear?

Anyways...it seems now that the K2 really doesn't improve the touchscreen responsiveness (which is the one thing that would have compelled me enough to make the jump). And you have to imagine that Korg has SOMETHING new in R&D that we will all discover in the next year or two. But, as I said earlier, if Korg's next generation follows the likes of Roland and Yamaha, and leans more towards a performance instrument, or DAW front-end, rather than a bona-fide workstation....then I may be compelled to get a K2 to get another 5+ years of the pinnacle of workstation performance.

Again...thanks for all the great advice and experiences! GREATLY appreciated!