Is it worth it?

Do you bring your machine with you a lot? I bring mine to work every day so portability is definitely a big consideration. And I do not like the MPC 500 at all. Mainly I don't like the price. That thing should be $400.

i barely go anywhere without it in a case and my headphones around my neck.

Speaking of headphones, when you get home and mix your beats down, are the levels way off compared to your monitors?