Help choosing digital piano

[lilyofthevalley242]

(For my son, second year piano lessons) I am searching for a digital piano that is shallow in depth to fit our room. I was looking at the Yamaha Arius model YDP-C71PE and found it to be the perfect depth (about 16"). I liked how it sounded and the black ebony would be nice in the room. The price on this piano is $1849 CAN. I went back later and another salesman tried to move me to the Clavinova, stating that for $50 more I could have so much more. Yes, it has a lot of bells and whistles and he is telling me that the sound is better (although my untrained ear does not hear the difference very well), but the simplicity of the Arius did not really bother me. Also, the Clavinova is deeper (20" deep) and I am at my max with 16", would actually like something less deep. As well the Clav that he was showing me had a not-so-nice finish, looked like black paper instead of melamine. Of course, he said, what are you buying, furniture or an instrument? Is the Clavinova leaps and bounds better than the Arius? Should I be looking at something else?

I strolled back through the digital section and the Roland DP90 caught my eye. Very simple look, depth is definitely right. It is priced around $2300 CAN. $500 leap from the Yamaha, I am expecting to be told that I should go with this one, but ideally I would like something a little more classic looking like the Arius. (It's frustrating to have to consider décor as well as technical, it would be so much simpler if it was off in a private room but c'est la vie).

Any help would be very much appreciated....

[hfmadopter]

The Roland and the Clavinova are closer in class due to the action. I'd put the Roland slightly on top with it's escapement action and weighted keys. However the Clavinova is no slouch either with weighted keys and wooden key cores. Both have textured key tops. both are superior instruments to the 71 you show interest in.

If to go with the model you like, also have a look at the Yamaha YDP- 161 and 181. The 71 you like has no weighted keys, it has GH hammer action but not weighted keys. You want weighted keys for a student, IMO. The YDP- 161 you will find in your size and slightly less costly and the 181 about the same as the 71 in cost.

All have reasonably good sound systems, the best sound would come through a virtual piano software program anyway but that's something you may or may not want to tackle further down the road.