"Only" a sampler? First of all, samplers are synths with unlimited sound palates, especially the OT. But watch this for traditional synthesis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW1laQnOx0MType into youtube "Octatrack only" and see what pops up:
Made on an Octatrack ONLY:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8S81iDxUioType "Monomachine Only" or "Analog 4 only" and see what comes up- except for one Mr. Dataline (guy's a master) video with the A4, not much.
Second, watch this guy (he's somewhere around here on these forums) who's mastered the art of the the OT+Blofeld midi control.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jh1q0R4zl0I don't except to change your mind, but the term "just a sampler" is kinda a noobie thing to say when it comes to music, sorry to say. The EMU SP-1200 and Emulator I, II and III were "just a samplers". Same with the Ensoniq ASR-10 and the Mirage. The AKAI S- series etc, etc, etc. Half the sounds of 808s and 909s are samples run through filters. As are MOST of the sounds of all the TR-X series drum machines before them. The Linndrum was all samples. Ask people how they feel about the "super drum synth" the Tempest and then ask them if they'd rather have an Linndrum or an SP-1200.....
Like I said, I waited to get the OT because people around here made it seem like some untamable beast- it isn't at all- it's easy to jump in and start- just takes a long time time master. But if you're really between the A4 or the MnM get an A4. The A4 probably is headed for a few significant firmware updates within the next few years (like all other Elektron gear before it), and the MnM is best if used within a larger live setup or studio- because of it's midi sequencer.