Yamaha Acoustic Silent Piano MPU1 or MP1

[zeeshan]

Let me give you little background. I used to have the Yamaha Clavinova CVP-203 and sold it recently. The reason is that I was not really happy with the keyboard touch and the sound. I just did not feel connected to the instrument. I also evaluated the new CVP-307 and the CVP-309, which has the natural wood keyboard, but did not think its much better. And since I mostly play classical music so I decided that I should get the acoustic piano.

The problem is that I live  in an apartment and need a piano that I can use at night to practice. The choice is that I get a Yamaha U1 which has a mute rail that reduces the sound so you can practice at night. Or I can get the Yamaha midi piano MPU1 (MP1) which makes the piano go completly silent and then some sofisticated technology takes over and you can hear the piano through the headphones or speakers. Apperantly you can also connect midi device for additional sounds.

I can get the new U1 for about $6000 or I can get the MPU1 for about $7500 brand new delivered. The local dealer does not have the MPU1 in stock and needs to order it for me. So I cannot evalute it before I buy.

Does anyone has any experiance with the MPU1? Is it worth paying $1500 extra to get the complete silent feature. Or should I get the regular U1? If I decide on the U1 then I can also look at the used market since there are tons for sale. I have never found a used MPU1 for sale.

Thanks in advance.

[tocca]

I haven't tested any of thoose, but i've been in the same situation as you. Deciding between Piano, digital, Silent Piano and whatnot.

One thing i can say is, when it comes to digital (midi) pianos there's only one thing that is worth anything... test yourself!
No matter how much feedback you get, or how many people say "this one is best" or "this one has a wonderful feeling" it's such a personal thing that you must try and then decide.

I was recommended a Yamaha digital when i was out looking, i tested it and found it awful!! I bought a Kawai digital which i'm very happy with.

I'm in the same situation as you, i need something silent because i do a lot of practising late nights (real late!).


But, after having "settled" for a digital for a couple of years (had a grand Piano before, that didn't fit the new house we bought) i must say that i miss an acoustic!
Todays digitals, especially the better ones, are really good but it's still not the same thing.

If i had the money, i'd sell my digital and buy a "Silent seris Yamaha", the ones which are both acoustic and digital. I've tested the Yamaha U1 Silent and it seemed really good. Too bad it's soo expensive (almost $12000 here in Sweden).

You said you couldn't evaluate the MPU1 before buy, i must say that i would never buy it without testing first. I've come across some acoustic Pianos i didn't particulary liked playing on, but digitals are much more so. Some digitals i've tested felt so bad (to me!) that i just played one chord and said "no way".

Well, that's my advice. If you're interested in the MPU1 make sure you can test it somehow first!

[zeeshan]

I guess I should add that the MPU1 is the exact same piano as the Yamaha U1 piano. The MPu1 has the silent feature added and are midi compatible, so you can add additional sounds etc. I have tested a few different U1s at the store and they are prety consistent in touch and sound. So I am assuming that if I order the MPu1 then it should be very similar.