the mpc 2500 is definitly real. it's sitting next to me right now.
it is exactly the sampler/sequencer i've been wanting. it has all of the benefits of the 1000 (i like the 1000 OS and hardware better than the 2000/4000). i can sample, chop, stretch, and tweak the hell out of things. i love it. i've used it with the md almost everyday this week to chop beats from the md. i've also used to to sequence all my synths and it works great. better than using the computer, imo. in the last year since i've moved away from a computer for sequencing and sampling i've been much happier, less distracted, and more productive. i also have a 1000 and was using that for sequencing since last winter and it works great. highly recommend it either one of them but if you can afford it get the 2500.