Originally Posted by Grasspikemusic ➡️

I have used both pretty extensively.

While 8 bit the EII uses a bunch of digital tricks like companding to sound much better than other 8 samplers, more like 12 bit or even 16 it also has a nice analog filters

The Emax II has a digital filter, but it sounds good and has character

If you are looking for an 80s sampler vibe the Emax II can definitely get you there for less money, but it will sound different than the EII

If you however are looking to get 90% there (probably around 95% or more) to the sound of an Emulator II you should also check out the Artiria Emulator II V plug in. Yes it's a plug in but they use the same digital tricks and have a nice filter modeled after the actual EII filter. I have used both the EII V plug in, and a real vintage EII side by side and they sound amazingly close. I have a good friend who owns minty one he got new back in the mid 1980s

It is so close I lost all gas to buy a vintage one as the workflow is so much easier

One cool thing about the plug in version is that there is no limit on sample length. You can use it play back hour long samples if you wanted