I currently have a Kurzweil SP88 for non-synth keys, but beyond bare bones piano/pads/organ it’s not the most inspirational.
I’d love to sell a few FX boxes I’ve got (bye bye Thermionic The Kite! time to make some hard decisions about OTO Machines and other delays!) and replace with a Nord.
I don’t strictly need the synth engine, I’m looking for a nice, dark piano, proggy organ, and string synths (and a mellotron.) I’d love to be closer to that Sinoia Caves or trip-hop dusty aesthetic, slid next to a Prophet 10 for an unsettling psychedelic cloak-vibe.
I’d want a 73/76 key and semi-weighted. I know I’m looking for a Nord Electro, Piano, or Stage.
Beyond the obvious price jumps based on synth engine presence, are there any models I should avoid because of sample storage or other limitations?
I know there are Kontakt libraries and Omnisphere or romplers, I’d possibly consider other brands but for the live focus, I feel like Nords are going to more expressive and front-panelable. I explicitly don’t want to edit very much, I want to be ready to go for practicing (NOT getting lost in sound design. I’m selling FX so I can don’t polish average riffs to a dull gloss 
)
I also love the Nord VA/modeling engine, but I’m spoiled for analog and digital/FM and wouldn’t pay much more for it. I’d use it, definitely. But the high quality piano/string synth/electric piano expressivity and character is my highest priority.
I’m sure others have had similar concerns when buying theirs, opinions super appreciated!
Edit: After some research, i think i require at least an Electro 3+ for the mellotron library to be accessible?