Yeah, I think Alesis is quite unfairly often over looked over the likes of Yamaha, Korg, Roland etc. I know I was probably guilty of that as well. The Andromeda I think got them a heap of respect as a synth building company, and well deserved I'd say as well. Very little matches up to an Andromeda. I know the Ion isn't the bee's knee's in any way in comparison, but I'm really after a more hands on way to shape sound.
I realised this once I had a Juno 106 come into my possession. Sadly, it was a busted one, but my god if you could ignore every 6th key not working it was a beast! And the hands on control made such a difference. So, I sold the Juno a while back before I found out about that Midi - extension kit from this website! Man, I'f I'd known about it I'd have hung onto it and spent the money getting it fixed up and that kit installed.
I'm just hoping the Ion, albeit digital, will live up to the epicness of the Juno. But they just seem so unpopular that there's barely any out there it seems.
But I'll hold out hope!