Classicarts, I know what you mean about Kawai's. My old upright was a Kawai, and since my university has a contract with them, I've played the gamut of their grands. I know the old R series had a verry stiff action, the bigger the piano the heavier the action - this was quite unfortunate since this series had quite a nice tone. The newer RX series is quite different, and if you haven't tried it you should. The action is much better and balanced.
The EX (Kawai's 9 foot concert grand) is a totally different piano from the ones you normally see in conservatoires. The sound is quite different and the action verry light. My only complaint about it is that it doesn't give much depth in tone.
Thanks for your comments. I believe I got an 82 or something like that. Well, it was good enough to get me two performance awards for it.
