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I'd recommend the Polyevolver Keyboard. It has quite a bit of real analog components in it and it gives it that extra "oomph" that you simply don't get out of a purely digital synth (whether it is a plug-in like Reaktor or a standalone like the Access Virus). Basically the Polyevolver combines components and architecture from two classic Sequential Circuits synths, the Prophet 5 and the Prophet VS. Plus it has a built-in 4-track step sequencer, and some crazy effects that make for real nasty, gritty mayhem (for example there's something called "output hack" which seemingly overdrives the D/A converters to produce a unique digital distortion).
As far as digital synths, the Access Virus is probably the best at producing "heavy" sounds, i.e. warm, distorted, punchy stuff. The new Virus Ti is quite cool but you might consider picking up a Virus Classic, which sells for half the price, and while lacking a considerable number of features from the Ti, still delivers the basic sound that has made the Virus popular.
The Nord stuff is very clean sounding in a way that strikes me personally as a bit clinical. However, the G2 modular is a pretty amazing system both in terms of software and the brilliant hardware controller they've designed for it. If you're uncomfortable working with plug-ins (and that seems to be the case) you'd probably get more done with a G2 modular than with Reaktor, and you wouldn't have to build a second computer + buy another audio interface. (That said, Reaktor and the G2 sound completely different, with Reaktor better at warmer, dirtier sounds and the G2 more 'pristine'... IMHO).
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