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

Hey gang,
I currently use an MC-505 (which I love), but I just heard about the 
XL7, and it sounds great. Has anyone had any experience with both 
machines, and if so, how do they compare? What I love most about the 
505 is the sequencer, and specifically, the grid/step recording 
features. It's so damn easy to program the thing - which is handy for 
a dummy like myself. Does the XL7 have an easy-to-program sequencer? 
Also, I've heard the sounds on the XL7 are even better than those on 
the 505, which is great (not that I think the 505's sounds are bad, 
but there's always room for improvement). How good is the XL7 at 
creating your own sounds/patches? Any opinions/help would be greatly 
appreciated. 
Fab
p.s. I assume you can't buy these in stores anymore, right? Is ebay 
the only place to find them now?