I have switched from SP404 mK2 to this one due to several resons.
1) Sequencer. Smpltrek has much more visual structure for song wrtitting. You can easily see what track and instruments are playing. Edit the notes, adjust the mixer and name the projects and files.
2) Bloody live record looping which SP only implemented in a limited over dub way. Witch Smpltrek you can set UP 10 independent loop and record to them with pausing the playback. On SP you overdub everything into one track. This way you can record and rerecord part you messed up and every single take gets stored just in case you want to get back to it.
3) Pads. Thouch smaller, only 15 and cramped its much better hit experiense for me than flat ones on SP.
4) 3 global tracks with 3 takes for each which you can set up as a 3 track recorder and just blast away. Here it kinda sucks that the playback adhere to the scene layout, so you have to set up the song structure ahead.
4) Built in mic and speaker ( its a tiny detail but I love it )
What you loose in comparisong to SP404MK2
1) Whole bunch of effects and way to quickly perform with those effects, Smpltrack has tiny, clicky knobs which are not great for that. One one Send bus, one master bus and one inpuit bus.
2) Interface is cramped and screen tiny so its not exactle perform machine. Knobs are tiny but you can get bigger caps for them.
All and all I do not miss the SP. I am a tinkerer, not performer so altough effects are nice I much rather have the structure and ability to name files and live looping.
