why do i believe this thing is easily worth 75$?

because it's extraordinarily easy to setup rec level/ playback level/ load/ save/ trim/ loop/ set release/ transpose... your samples. that's basically why. its clean sound is also hard to tell apart from 'true' cd-quality (it's fixed 16bit mono at 32khz samplerate). it features 2 midi-ins which is nice and handy (and closest you're gonna get to a luxury on this machine anyways). the ease of use deserves extra mention - even without the manual. i totally love it!!

what are its downsides? - (oh, they are many and some are almost fatal) it lacks filters, eq, internal efx and most of all it lacks multiple outputs!! scsi is also unavailable (though this is not as bad as it sounds because the thing only has 1mb memory (max=2mb), which fits a hd-diskette quite nicely (mine is 1mb).

so, if you take the time to apply effects, compression, filter(s) before sampling or take the time to 'update' your samples as you work on a track, the machine will work (and continue to work) like a charm. its sound is hifi if desired and interfacing is simply unmatched afaik, but the mono-output definitely spoils some of the fun- no matter where you come from. I once was the owner of an Emu Esi4000, a machine that is extremely capable (in both the synthesis/ ram/ scsi/ multiple outputs-departments) but which ultimately felt more about overcoming technical difficulties than making music imo. it can of course be mastered, but it's not something you do in a week if you startwith zero background. that said, i loved some of its unique functions (like the transform multiply or the dopppler effect). it also had a ton of quality filters (though i wouldn't buy the turbo-upgrade again as it lacked resample - talking about a fatal flaw!!) but still i prefer the humble s01. simplicity really is king.

if you want a 12bit-gritty version of the s01 (though its also quite a bit more complex), check out the Roland s330 (or s550). it also features -i believe- 8 outputs, which is an invaluable feature!

if you want more ram (16mb), a simple sequencer, get the Akai s20.

summary: apart from the aforementioned quibbles, its perfect at what its supposed to do which is being a limited budget sampler that will help you make music instead of becoming a nerd.