In Australia availability of the xd desktop wont be until August 2019. Its advrtised at $999.00AUD.
2nd Hand A4MKII i can have now for $1400.00AUD…
Not necessarily apples and pears here, 4 voice poly with per step automations, cv control blah blah, lots of similarities.
Other than the digital osc (i already have MI braid BTW) is there any reason any naughts could talk me out of the A4MKII and insist that the XD has got an edge.
Enough to “Talk me out of it” ?
I dont care which one you get as long as you take a picture of it and replace your toe avatar with it
All I can say is I love my A4 mkii for many reasons. The 4 voice thing is deceptive because you can run different sounds on one track, it’s just a 4 voice max on a given step. I run kick, snare and hats on one track all the time, for example, leaving 3 synth tracks open. Or it can be 4 great mono synths, one poly synth and has a great sequencer. It’s my favorite current ‘drum machine.’ Crazy deep and versatile
^
The XD is much less deep, much more direct controllable and with a very hands on UI with dedicated knobs.
Let your ears decide. Or If money allows it, get both. Perfect gigging Combo If you ask me.
Get a used A4 mk1 and XD for similar price to A4 mk2
You know ive been waiting for somebody…ANYBODY to react to my disgusting toe. THANK YOU finally…whats a guy gotta do… ?
IMO it’s a bit apples and pears, if we look deeper.
First, the sound engines don’t compare, even if both synths do the subtractive synthesis.
Minilogue XD (per voice):
Analog 4 (per voice):
There is some common ground, for sure, but I think both can generate unique sounds, which the other machine just can’t.
If we compare the sequencers, the difference is huge. The Elektron sequencers have much more parameters to lock than many others and there is micro-timing too.
This said, I would recommend to make the decision on the sound in your mind and the use case. Each has unique strengths, which the other misses … 
The A4 so we can love you more.
Cut his toe nails? SCNR 
Dont forget the Mod Busses.
XD: 1x LFO, 2x Env
A4: shitload of LFOs (2 x customable, 2 dedicated per Track= 16 LFOs) with the Option also to route an Output to a neighbour track and do stuff with the Audio as Well => a customizable 4x Filter Box.
And 3 Env per track= 12 env!
Analog 4 also 4 simultaneous voice multitimbrality, more if you count sound locks.
Plus cv out, plus cv in on the mkII.
Korg has that super cute oscilloscope though.
You could sync your braids via CV and Audio in inti the füll Signal path of the A4 and use it as an osc.
I have em both , but first in any case is A4 mk2 !!! so original and so deep
I’ve got both and I’m glad I don’t have to choose. A4 wins on modulation options and sequencer hands down, but I prefer the XD’s filter. If it’s got to be either one, I’d probably go for the A4 because of it’s versatility.
spend the money on pina coladas and a pedicure 
You guys suck at talking me out of it, im pushing hard for the guy from the gumtree add to call me back about the A4MKII, you’ve all got me wanting the A4 so bad, now that your best efforts to talk me down off the ledge sounded like “JUMP”… The seller is probably on this forum (hahah)
Also glad my toe is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Also, When i do buy either i will change my avatar to a picture of my toe playing the new kit. Just for you…
Let me guess…you will Play the tic tac toe Song?
Toe the line…
Love isnt always on time…