Hi Glenn

> How does the A125 compare against running A100 patches through an
> outboard FX unit w/ a phaser algorithm

this is a question of what kind of sound of music you basically like.
There is no real big difference to a external analog phaser, but it
sounds better than the so called phasers in the most digital multi
effect units. External phasers (guitar stomp boxes...) do not provide a
CV input. Controlling the phaser by an envelope or tempo related
S&H-voltages is quite nice.

The A196 is a quite powerful module to people who deeply understand its
technique, but it may be frustrating to others, who have a more try and
error approache. Especially if you own a A155 you will be able to use
the combination of 155 and 196 as an graphic VCO with voltage controlled
signal shape.

I personally would recommend the forthcoming A-137 Wave-Multiplier. It
is quite easy to handle (definitely easier than the A136 or the A116,
though it is derived from the same effects family), but nevertheless it
provides quite complex sound modifications.

Florian