mmm cake sandwich.
I’d echo that, for me, the modern MPC has the easiest sampling process. It’s the most straight forward sample recording and simplest to accurately chop or slice.
That does not necessarily make it more fun or inspiring than other samplers, but it is a good utility.
Yeah, different people will have different views about whether the changes are worth the cost but for me losing the ability to change programs per sequence far outweighs any new at best nice-to-haves, especially for live performance. Far prefer per sequence mutes to the arranger too fwiw. But any way you cut it it’s a major change to how MPCs worked till now.
Does a Sampler need a Sequencer to be called a Sampler?
If not, Critter & Guitari 5 Moons. The 5 Moons is called a MULTITRACK RECORDER/LOOPER.
it depends from what you mean for Roland Juno term
Roland Juno - Classic Sampler
Roland Juno - Easy Sampler
Surely the Juno of samplers is a tape loop.
An Akai would be like the DX7 of samplers.
Or alternatively Ultimate Soundtracker because Amiga.
Hmm, I think for get down to work fast beatmaking then without question on that metric alone the Circuit Rhytm - it does have limitations, like no trig conditions except yawnability I mean probability, and limited editing, monophonic and monaural samples. Limited fx, limited number of patterns, no nudge/rotate, the daft p-lock implementation and various other omissions.
BUT It can sound very nice indeed, the mixing and fx are straightforward, the sampling is quick and easy, the sequencer is very quick and easy to use, it has 128 samples per pack, so you could make a whole album in 1 pack (I have) the lack of a screen does not affect usage, and as @HoldMyBeer says it does not get in the way.
I have A LOT of samplers probably over 15 or 20 (can’t be bothered to count at present) and have owned most of the others and out of all of them by far the fastest for beatmaking (with satisfying results) is the Circuit Rhythm, it isn’t the best sampler I own, far from it, it also is far from the most powerful. If mine broke I’d buy another instantly and without hesitation.
Korg Microsampler.
Emax
DSS-1
Ensoniq Mirage or EPS
When I think of Roland Juno and sampler.
Polyphonic with a keyboard.
Digitakt II obvs.
What kind of sampling?
The tr-rec mode on 404mkii is basic. It helps, but you have to understand the original workflow to get it I think. With the 303/og 404, beat makers used resample rather than sequencing really. Plus if you learnt on those, the 404mk2 is just like that on steroids. The shortcuts are a side effect of the process and desire to stay true to a less screen-oriented workflow.
That said if you own another sequencer… the 404mk2 you can sequence all 4 fx busses (5 if you count the input fx from memory) - including fx type selector and on/off. The fx sound great too.
The MPC is more like the “standard” I suppose. I’m on beta 3.x. The fact it has a proper multi-track arrangement view now would be great for song writers. I miss the program/track split though, as now they’ve consolidated to just tracks, there’s no way to use pgm changes to change instrument per track (which helps running everything in one project for a multi-song live set).
The synths sound great too. Opx-4 is quite complex, although a paid add-on.
If you prefer tr style/more dance type stuff, then probably a digitakt… I have stayed away due to the no polyphonic tracks thing. And having an octa already.
Perhaps you could argue the akai S1000/2000 are the Juno of samplers. Price similarly inflated lol.
Yamaha SU10.
Obvious answer for me would last Gen SP like SP-404 OG/SX/A, SP-555, SP-303. JUST A REMINDER THESE ARE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE THAN THE 404 MKII 
But sounds like it is whatever sampler you got comfortable with first. Think it depends on some left side right side of the brain too.
Embarrassing confession time:
I owned a lot of different samplers before picking my first DIGITAKT (2017-18).
All of the SPs mentioned above and few more, DOUG LOVE’S Sacred Sampletrak (such an underrated sampler), KORG Pink Electribe ESX (MY first step sequencing sampler) etc.
I have always been able to find my way around a sampler for the first couple tries without a manual.
I couldnt even figure out how to load a sample the first time i turned on my DIGITAKT, it was like operating an alien starship for me after living the SP LIFE. Now I can operate the Digis with my eyes closed but some fun food for thought!
mpc or deluge
What is the Volkswagen of dishwashers? 
Kidding…
For me, the Digitakt (either 1 or 2) is probably the easiest sampler to get along with that I’ve ever used. Or maybe the 1010 Blackbox provided you get along with the touch screen interface. It’s super easy, and provides ample functions and features.
I’ve worked with samples for decades, but have always hated samplers due to their interfaces. I mostly used trackers with them for the simplicity when I wanted to make something sample-based. However, the Digitakt completely turned me on to hardware sampling. I’ve used Akais, Yamahas (A3000 etc.) and others over the years, but have always been more of a synthesis person.
As someone that just wants to quickly sample, crop, loop, flip, and then use a sample once in a while, the Digitakt just blew me away. Plus having the Elektron sequencer there on top of it just makes it fun and easy to integrate with other gear, or even control other gear.
I’d honestly say the 1010 tangerine is a good choice for a super simple, bread and butter sampler. It’s one of the few modern samplers that can actually do multisamples, and it can load huge sounds too.
If we’re taking iconic sound into consideration (since the Juno’s sound is very iconic), old 90s/2k samplers still are top best imo.
Forgot about that little guy. Just judging by my Black Box and Lemon Drop experiences, it should be quite nice for basic sampling.
Had a lot of samplers, korg microsampler has an amazing unique workflow, but lacking some key things like attack envelope. Korg es1 is a great quick hands on percussion/ loop sampler. Roland p6 does look good
But honestly the easiest fastest most capable sampler I’ve used in a long while is Koala sampler on iPhone with a usb interface
For sample editing, a touchscreen is a more intuitive UI than knobs or sliders, imo.
ableton move and beetlecrab tempera
Imo the 404 mk2 is the best sampler on the market. Certainly not the best sequencer, but that is a different topic.
1 x stereo input
1 x mono input w/ dedicated fx bus
Internal resampling
Looper w/ input routing
The always-on skipback recording buffer
Easy sample chopping
Timestretch algos
4 x fx busses w/ configurable routing
It is so, so easy to capture samples on this thing. However, arranging them is another matter… which is why I have my eye on a Digitakt 
Having the pair seems like the best of both worlds - a “left brain, right brain” sampling setup.
Exactly my thoughts.
It’s fast, easy and very good sounding. There is a learning curve when you want to go deeper, sure, but for the basic stuff it’s dead simple knob-per-function.