Need some help with Digital Pianos.

[schwartzer]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to buy a digital piano so I can practice late at night when I actually have the time to practice. I currently own a Steinway Model A, and I believe it is the single best thing I've ever bought.

For now, I can't practice at night, so until I move out of the city, I have to buy a digital piano. Here are the brands and models I'm looking for:

*Roland HP503 and 505. (Can anyone tell me the difference between these two? I know the key action is different but how different? Is it noticeable?)

*Clavinova CLP 430 by Yamaha and the YDP-162. (Is the GH3 mechanism that much better than the GH? And how does it compare to the Roland action?)

Thanks in advance, everyone!

***Please, do not recommend a Kawai. Since they are very rare where I live, a CA-65 is double the price of the Roland 505. I know they are very good, but I'm not willing to pay that much.

[hfmadopter]

I believe the GH3 action is tri sensored, in theory it should respond with more dynamics potential than the GH. However, a lot of people only want GH action, it in some applications gives a good feel to the keys ( the CP33 professional stage piano comes to mind for example). I have played a couple of pianos with GH3 and found them light, too light for me but it may have been the model piano.

Be careful with the Clavinovas, some had very heavy keys, unnaturally so ( like close to 100 grams). Try before you buy, you will be able to tell right away.

The Rolands you mention are good but I have no idea how they compare with your Steinway or to one another even. People like both models. I imagine it's going to be a tough nut to crack, you just are going to have to try them all out !

One thing, since you will practice at night and that's why you want this, then you will need good headphones. You will need to try the pianos out using headphones, the on board sound system may not compare at all.

[schwartzer]

I got some pretty good headphones already, thanks for the tip, buddy!

I also forgot to mention that I'll be buying Synthogy's Ivory American Concert D. I was truly amazed by the sounds, so sound samples don't really matter to me, only the key action. But in any case, I liked the roland's sound better.

I couldn't test the HP505, though. I'm still considering if it's worth the extra money over the HP503. Perhaps someone could enlighten me of the differences between the Ivory Feel-S action and the PHA III Ivory Feel?

[hfmadopter]

I got some pretty good headphones already, thanks for the tip, buddy!

I also forgot to mention that I'll be buying Synthogy's Ivory American Concert D. I was truly amazed by the sounds, so sound samples don't really matter to me, only the key action. But in any case, I liked the roland's sound better.

I couldn't test the HP505, though. I'm still considering if it's worth the extra money over the HP503. Perhaps someone could enlighten me of the differences between the Ivory Feel-S action and the PHA III Ivory Feel?

I've played keyboards with both. The PHAIII is more textured, both have the same escapement and I believe sensor system. If you like a little more grip the PHAIII offers it. It actually feels a bit coarse at first but you get used to it fast. I fell in love with the Roland PHA III action but I bought a Kawai, go figure ! Again, go try them out, since I did not buy into the Roland I don't know how that texture works out over the long haul. My Kawai has Ivory Touch keys, which is a very very subtle texture.

Also FWIW, the PHA4 is out now, I know it's in the RD800NX stage piano anyway. I haven't tried it yet.

[schwartzer]

Thanks so much, friend.

You've been of great help!

I'll give the new HP504 a try this weekend, and will try to compare both the 505 and the 503. Too bad I cannot buy a Kawai, read some great reviews about them.

Thanks once again.

Still accepting some input y'all!

[hfmadopter]

Thanks so much, friend.

You've been of great help!

I'll give the new HP504 a try this weekend, and will try to compare both the 505 and the 503. Too bad I cannot buy a Kawai, read some great reviews about them.

Thanks once again.

Still accepting some input y'all!

Be sure to give us a report !!

[pianoplunker]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to buy a digital piano so I can practice late at night when I actually have the time to practice. I currently own a Steinway Model A, and I believe it is the single best thing I've ever bought.

For now, I can't practice at night, so until I move out of the city, I have to buy a digital piano. Here are the brands and models I'm looking for:

*Roland HP503 and 505. (Can anyone tell me the difference between these two? I know the key action is different but how different? Is it noticeable?)

*Clavinova CLP 430 by Yamaha and the YDP-162. (Is the GH3 mechanism that much better than the GH? And how does it compare to the Roland action?)

Thanks in advance, everyone!

***Please, do not recommend a Kawai. Since they are very rare where I live, a CA-65 is double the price of the Roland 505. I know they are very good, but I'm not willing to pay that much.

Go with Yamaha or Roland .  you get what you pay for and in my opinion Yamaha and Roland always answer the question

[visitor]

if it were me, and I were buying (my first would be Kawai). If I was getting a second digi piano for another room, this:

[gyzzzmo]

Go try them out yourself (with a good headphone!). It looks like you're not exactly new to piano's yourself, so why would you need our advice about which piano plays best?

[schwartzer]

It's just that I'm not familiar with digital pianos.

Anyways, I tested both, and let me tell you something. I really disliked Yamaha's sound. It just sounded so artificial. Nothing like a real one.

However, Roland's 505 was amazing to my ears. It had a dark, mellow sound which sounded more like the europeans/americans pianos and less like the metallic Yamahas. The Roland's action was also more piano like. It even has the escapement mechanism.

While I did find the Yamaha's key action to be very realistic, Roland still got the upper hand here. I bought the HP505 and I'm loving it. Would definitely recommend this digital to any pianist.

[hfmadopter]

It's just that I'm not familiar with digital pianos.

Anyways, I tested both, and let me tell you something. I really disliked Yamaha's sound. It just sounded so artificial. Nothing like a real one.

However, Roland's 505 was amazing to my ears. It had a dark, mellow sound which sounded more like the europeans/americans pianos and less like the metallic Yamahas. The Roland's action was also more piano like. It even has the escapement mechanism.

While I did find the Yamaha's key action to be very realistic, Roland still got the upper hand here. I bought the HP505 and I'm loving it. Would definitely recommend this digital to any pianist.

Ya in digital to me regarding action it's between Roland and Kawai. Sound is up in the air because something can always be done with sound but really again, I did a lot of looking before I bought my Kawai and on board sound came down to the same choices for me regarding brand. But you can go off board just as well so it really doesn't matter a whole lot unless you find what you want right on board. I'm loving my Kawai sound with these new Adams Audio speakers I bought. Now features, well, they all have features you may or may not want. In stage pianos once you hit the $2000 MSRP mark and up they are pretty competitive. Below that it's up in the air. But it's all personal taste in the end.

Congratulations, enjoy !!

[gyzzzmo]

I dont like the speakersound of the clavinova's either, but the sound is good with headphones on, plus i like the action of some of the clavinova's. Thats why i eventually bought the clp-950 (but thats quite a few years back).

[pianoplunker]

It's just that I'm not familiar with digital pianos.

Anyways, I tested both, and let me tell you something. I really disliked Yamaha's sound. It just sounded so artificial. Nothing like a real one.

However, Roland's 505 was amazing to my ears. It had a dark, mellow sound which sounded more like the europeans/americans pianos and less like the metallic Yamahas. The Roland's action was also more piano like. It even has the escapement mechanism.

While I did find the Yamaha's key action to be very realistic, Roland still got the upper hand here. I bought the HP505 and I'm loving it. Would definitely recommend this digital to any pianist.

My only disappointment in a Roland product ( considering the price ) was an FP-8 I bought in the early 1990s. It was rugged made out of metal, gig-worthy, midi capable which I took advantage of alot. I did alot of playing on that.  One weak point I discovered was the weighted plastic keys were weighted by a piece of lead embedded in the plastic key. This caused almost every Key to become cracked  inside the piano  if you can understand what I mean. When lead vs plastic, plastic loses. Basically all the keys had fallen apart after a few years and didnt work. The replacement cost was half of a new keyboard. What appeared to be a rugged keyboard was weakest at the part I need it to be strongest.  Just a point to note.  Comparing side by side really makes a difference in the music store. I have heard Yamahas that sound considerably yucky compared to other Yamahas. Headphones might be an equalizer though