I'm not sure in what way Hypersonic can sound better than Sampletake. They are both running at 32 bit floating point resolution in most modern host DAWs. Perhaps what you're saying is you like the included sample set and presets better in hypersonic.
The comment about the k2600? I'm not sure it's possible that a sampler operating at 16 bits can sound better than a 32 bit floating point sampler. Again I would say that perhaps you liked the presets better in this instance, but even that really doesn't make sense. And i'm pretty sure there isn't a comparison between the ASR-10 and sampletank at all . . .
This i'm pretty confused on also. You don't get as varied a palette of samples? Yes you do. You get more. And more multisamples, not just the "mega-sampling" technology that the ES uses to make up for the lack of availible sample ROM.
Like array said, the effects processors on Kontakt alone are well worth the money. Convolution reverb actually samples a sound at various points in an open space, and that creates one of THE MOST natural reverbs possible. Kontakt also stole some reverb algorithms from the Lexicon PCM series in case you're into the more synthetic types of reverb.
From my experiences with the synth expansion card for the Motif/CS series, i'd say you're much better off buying a triton/MOSS card combination if you want to go the synth/rompler route. The ALN boards have a rather difficult interface and sound very thin, especially when used in conjunction with the MOTIF's reverbs.
Sample Tank is interesting in that it is a dedicated Sampler/ROMpler. The Fantom/Motif units are many things . . . sampler, rompler, tactile interface, an actual physical object, and extremely specialized code that makes up the UI. They're great if you're looking for presets, but if you want to do any serious editing you're going to be turning towards the PC editor most definitely. You'll find it will take far to long on the racks themselves. In that case, unless your CPU is ridiculously slow, I don't see the point in buying a PC edited rack unit, when you can save a ridiculous amount of money, get better and more plentiful samples and effects units, and still maintain the SAME UI that you're going to have with the rack unit. It makes sense to me . . .
And I too have played all 3 btw.
