TBH, the lack of a sequencer is not the issue it used to be, IMHO, unless you are trying to record live performances or don't have access to a computer where your arranger is located. Inexpensive (even free!) DAW software is the norm, and a BK or EA7 will connect to a computer/laptop/tablet with no more than a standard USB cable for bidirectional communication (so no need for a MIDI interface, etc.). Driver installation is generally simple, setup pretty easy.

About the only real advantage to onboard sequencers is the initial 'capture' of the full arranger stream (I find the timing is more tick accurate with onboards, but it is next to impossible to actually hear), but once captured, I wouldn't touch any sequencer with a bargepole that you had to work with the data through a tiny LCD screen! Way too 80's for me!

A large laptop screen or computer monitor makes editing a snap, far more intuitive, and far more detailed and powerful. Not to mention that, once you have honed and perfected the sequence, you can record audio as well with all the tools for overdubbing and editing that a DAW gives you.

While most of the BK's and the EA7 don't have full sequencers, they DO have sequence players and the amazing Makeup Tools header editors. Unless you actually need to record new Parts, or correct notes, 90% of what most of us actually NEED is an easy way to change the sounds effects, balance or dynamics of an already recorded SMF. Makeup Tools does this in more detail and easier than any other system.

But if making SMF's from scratch using the arranger's style as a starting point, a computer or tablet DAW is by far the easiest way to go, nowadays.

I wouldn't recommend not bothering with a search for a used BK-9. This is by no means an 'outmoded' means of operation! If by that you mean a discontinued product, yes, it is discontinued. But it is still the most advanced Roland arranger currently available in many, many ways.

Coming from the VA7, I'd say that the BK-9 is the most practical successor to your TOTL VA7

However, if you mean that it has a full onboard sequencer makes it outmoded, that's a bit 50/50. Like I said, I don't really recommend using it for ALL your sequencing needs, when DAW's make it so much easier. But, as I alluded to, it's a LOT easier to do the initial 'capture' of the full arranger style output to the Recorder (you don't use the full 16 track sequencer to 'capture' the full style output, that's done by the 'Recorder' without any need to set up tracks, channels, etc. - in fact, in the main 16-Track sequencer, you can't record more than one track at a time), and because the MIDI data is all internal (no interface of any kind, either MIDI or USB) I find I get a tiny, tiny bit better tick accuracy. Things that are supposed to be recorded on 1.1.001 don't end up on 1.1.002, for instance (even though that's inaudible, it's sometimes a pain for doing copy/paste or region moving etc.). Plus you get better recording of sys-ex messages which control a lot of things like EQ, MFX etc..

Not to mention, should you get a great idea while noodling on the arranger, the onboard Recorder means you don't have to pull out your laptop or connect to your computer to quickly record it, and you can transfer to the computer later to fine polish it.

Currently, Roland do not make an arranger that looks like it is going to get an OS refresh (the E-A7's last one was about a year or so ago, which has generally meant that's about it for this model) so getting a BK-5 or E-A7 to somehow 'future-proof' yourself seems futile. I will be utterly astounded if Roland release any new OS upgrades to their current lineup.

So, at this point, take a look at ALL latest generation Roland arrangers (if determined to stay with Roland) whether new or used... Obviously, I'm a bit biased, but having gone through most Roland TOTL arrangers, I would think that someone coming from an earlier TOTL Roland like the VA7 would end up a bit disappointed in any of their current MOTL/BOTL offerings. The BK-9 offers TOTL performance, with a TOTL quality keybed (the BK-5 and E-A7 actions I find quite cheap feeling and spongy compared to Roland's earlier TOTL/MOTL offerings) at a price pretty comparable used to a new E-A7.

Not to mention stuff missing from the E-A7 like the Hammond sim, the SN sounds (they are amazing!), the Chord Sequencer, the Audio Loops, the greater number of MFX (2KBD, 3Song/Style) and the high quality Mic in...

But sequencer or no sequencer shouldn't really make your decision one way or the other. Lots of other considerations.

BTW, if you haven't taken a look at it, for the purpose you stated in the OP Band In a Box might work quite well for you, particularly with the audio loop thing it does. If you don't need realtime arranger stuff and can simply type in the chords and where you need fills and Variations, etc., it does an amazing job.

If you haven't paid BIAB much attention in the last decade or so, it is a very different sounding software since it added loops of real drums, real guitarists, real basslines etc., and has always been a good contender for doing ballrooms and jazz (its original main thing).

Create your tracks with that, save as audio, play in a BK arranger (so you can play something on top if that's what you do), best of all possible worlds!

Pretty much, unless that 100 song limit in the Perf. List will be an issue. Mind you, you had what, a 128 UPG limit in the VA7? So probably something you already had to work around...

But once you get used to 999 available at a time, a lot of possibilities open up... My List isn't much past 400 songs or so (I don't do ballroom or jazz standards much, more pop and rock, reggae and beach music etc.) but I tend to often use more than one Performance (UPG) per song, to allow me to do complete setup changes mid-song (changing the Performance doesn't change the SMF/MP3 playing, and will only change the style if you set it up that way), which would take multiple button presses to do old school style.

I still cannot fathom why Roland chose to limit the feature on the latest arranger when it worked PERFECTLY on the previous models (in fact, why not increase it..?!). Sometimes you just have to shake your head and facepalm

I think part of our success in keeping things tidy here is that it isn't an arranger site for multiple brands, so a lot of the 'My brand is best, your brand is crap!' stuff is simply moot.

Sadly, with Roland largely stepping away from the arranger field, very little new product, no real BOTL/MOTL/TOTL structure any more, the membership has dwindled to just a handful compared to our heyday at the launch of the G70 (in fact, the site was originally the G70 Users Forum before we expanded). In fact, with Roland not releasing a single arranger short of toy cheap ones that users rarely bother forums about since Sept 2015 (yes, the E-A7 was announced that long ago, and it is STILL Roland's latest!) there really isn't that much to talk about!

But for those of us that still prefer the Roland 'sound', I am glad we are still around. We very nearly closed shop about a year ago, and only a change of heart from Søren, our Admin and owner saved the day. But if you need Roland arranger help and advice, there isn't a better English language resource, AFAIK..!