Need Help Choosing Synth!, Recommendations needed Options

[Neilsonite]

Hi everyone,
I'm a newbie in the process of researching a synth to buy, and I need some advice. Here are some useful details...
I will be using this live, and as a controller keyboard with the computer.
I want a range of quality 'normal' sounds, particularly piano, electric piano (Rhodes, etc), organ, and strings, as well as 'synth' style sounds such as pads, FX, etc (similar to those found in Reason, ie the samplers and Subtractor and Maelstrom synths). I don't need lots of drums, guitars, or other instruments - just 'keyboard' sounds. (He says, stating the obvious)...
I want a reasonably good keyboard (preferably with a piano-ish feel), but the sound quality is more important to me than the keyboard quality (although I realise that this will affect playability - I just want something good, not stellar and expensive).
Sequencing is not important, although some limited sequencing may come in useful in the future.
I don't mind if it's an all-in-one job or a separate sound module and keyboard. I don't want to spend too much, but I'm willing to be realistic in terms of paying for sound quality.
Any suggestions? Any ones to avoid? Any ones that are particularly good value for the money?
Thanks,
Neilsonite

[Synthetic]

yep... i highly recommend the Yamaha Motif too... I have the CS6x which was basically same as Motif but Motif is newer upgraded model... anyhow I love my CS6x and can only imagine the Motif being tons better.

the Kurzweil K2600 is a good choice too... seen Jordan Rudess (Dream Thearter) play one in a video and it was very cool with its sampling features and it has nice action keyboard.

some synths such as the Phantom, Karma, and such are more of a gimmick that anything... not that they don't offer cool sounds but they are not packed with the best natural instrument sounds and don't offer weighted keys like pianos... but then again my CS6x doesn't either and I learned to live with it... if there are any dealers near you... i suggest trying to visit one and try some demos out to see how they work, feel and sound. I never thought much of the Alesis 6.1 but after hearing some if its sounds and playing the keyboard and such... it changed my opinion and may have to get one some day to add to my collection