Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

Right now I'm pricing a studio for home use, and maybe some shows but 
I was wondering which should I go with first, the Yamaha Motif, or 
the Emu XL-7 ? Both of them are bad ass pieces, but the Emu XL-7 one 
ups the motif by being $999 (and less) on the internet. Here are a 
few of the things I want to accomplish with these boards

Process samples
Work independantly of the computer until sequencing time or altering 
samples
Pull general insanity ;)
Be upgradable until more equipment can be purchased

See if I go with the motif, I'll be able to do all of my work on it, 
and process my samples as well. If I go with the XL-7, I'll be able 
to not only lay down some nice tracks, but buy new soundsets when I 
want.

Either way I'll have both boards, but which would be the best for the 
moment ? I'll get a Nord Lead 2 afterwards as well, so which one do 
you people think ?