Yamaha Arius YDP series

[samj99]

How do people rate the Yamaha Arius YDP range? I'm thinking of getting one but for some  reason the cheaper 135 and 141 models don't come in black (which I want) so will have to go for the 161 which is quite pricey at £825, or compromise on the finish. Either that or get a used older model. I want something that looks good and plays and sounds good, with realistic piano sound..I'm not interested in other sounds and features, would like to hear any suggestions? Thanks 

[jimbo320]

Between those the the 161 is a better choice. The action is just a bit better then it's cheaper cousins....

[samj99]

Well I finally got around to going to a music shop, I saw the Arius 161, which was o.k but I thought the cabinet looked cheap..then I saw the clp 430! Bad mistake, now nothing else is going to compare, and there's no way I can afford one!

[jimbo320]

Try a CP5 and you'll cry...

[lhorwinkle]

What are your most important criteria?

Do you need a console? They're more expensive than keyboards. For the same price, you can get a better keyboard.

But if appearance is important, a keyboard won't do. As you've discovered, the CLP-series gives a much nicer appearance than the YDP. You'll have to decide for yourself whether you can tolerate the price.

Key/action feel is very important. IMO, it's more important than anything else. The YDP-161 and 181 have a beter (GH) action than the YDP-141 (GHS). Much better. Don't even consider the 141.

The CLP-series pianos have GH3 actions. Same feel as the GH, but there are some minor technical benefits.

Are you willing to connect the piano to a computer and an external sound system? If so, you can run piano library software on the computer. It can produce piano sounds that are MUCH MUCH better than any of the aforementioned pianos. Better than any YDP- or CLP-series piano. Frankly, better than any digital piano, bar none.

If you're willing ... you'll need a relatively modern PC, an external sound card ($75-$150), an amplifier ($50-$100), speakers ($100-$300), and piano library software ($150-$400). It all adds up ... but here's the game: You can use any $1000 keyboard (example: Yamaha P155) or $1400 console (example: Yamaha YDP161).

Add that up and you'll come up to a total of $1900-$3000. You won't find ANY piano that will sound as good, even if you spent $10,000.