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Btw, I completely agree with you on PX-720 but I would add PX-800 to the list (except for those rumours of wobbly black keys...) and, for a bit more money, AP-500. I haven't tried any of these Casio but judging from the specs in their manuals they do have almost everything I would desire of a DP (except different temperaments and ability to have a custom temperament).

Tirgan, sorry for pulling your leg, this is Sunday anyway. CLP280 is of course a Maserati among digital pianos so I agree if one has pennies it makes every sense to consider this model. Of course you get what you pay for, so I would not compare PX800 to CLP280 or even 230.
However one may be surprised with Casio which managed to pull a few excellent models for people on the budget.

It's all about the budget, damn thing

but I agree with you that it makes no sense buy cheap things with a hope of upgrading in future. a penny-pinching person often pays twice.

Glasweg, agree and not agree. a proper acoustic is of course superior but it also needs space and is heavy to move around. For some people like me this is a problem because I do not want bulky things around unless I get a spacious mansion. I kicked out a century old piano (300 kilos weight) all wood because this was taking space and was impossible to tune. I like the design and feel of an acoustic but I realized digital piano convenience. Surely for a hobby or just for basic learning DP is more than enough. I would buy an acoustic only if my daughter or me are serious into playing piano, otherwise makes no sense.

Glasweg, besides a proper acoustic starts from 4-5k for which you can get top of the line DP. just an opinion.

I paid £3K for my brand new upright, only £700 more than a CLP280.

£3K is about 4K eur and 700£ is 945 eur. this is NOT a small difference i guess. also this depends which brand you took for the upright, Yami or smth else. i doubt you could get some renowned European brand like Bechstein for this money.

anyway, i would not argue that on average a good DP will be always cheaper than a good upright, plus DP gives you durability and compactness which you do not have with an acoustic. if in doubt try move around your room a 200 kilo upright and then a 70 kilo CLP280. :p

A DP more durable than an acoustic?

That's a new one on me!!

Hi I hope I'm doing this post in the right place. I noticed in the conversation above the mention of a clavinova clp360. Now, I have one of these, I bought it in early 1992. At the time I believe it was Yamaha's entry level full 88 key digital piano, with a real weighted feel. I can't remember what they called the technology at the time, but I remember in the store they had about 6 keys held together in a perspex case showing the mechanism. It has served me well, it is is good nick apart from for some reason middle g has sunk a couple of milimetres out of allignemnt with the other keys, irritating sometimes, but not a real problem. Anyway I am now thinking of getting a new one and I'm guessing that virtually whatever I get will sound better than the old 360 - given 20 years on. I'm wondering if the feel will be as good too. I would like to get the YDP 140, (mainly because of limited buget, )would that feel as good as the old 360, does anyone know if this part of the technology has improved as much as the sounds etc. Any feedback would be very helpful, and do not hesitate to ask for further clarification. Thanks. J.

I would also like to add I would also like to get the Korg SP250 as it seems to be well thought of, but I really don't like the tubular stand. Do they do a different stand for this? thanks, J.

Welcome to the crying game.

Buy the newest most expensive DP you can. But wait a couple of months to see what shakes out of NAMM (which is starting today).

If you can't afford anything that doesn't have obvious looping I'd recommend you get a decent controller and go the PC route.

Thanks, but I've tried the computer route with seriously good sounds, but it did not work for me, something about where the sound actually comes from, I think. Anyway, I now am on really limited buget, hence my suggestions above. But thanks so much for the input. J.

Let's try to get back to the OP's question

Signa gives good advice about checking on the age of these units.
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/manual/english/chron.php

But I don't necessarily agree on his 8 year limit. There were some excellent Yamaha's that came out during 1998 thru 2001, the CLP800 and 900 series. If you can find one of those (from among the top-of-line models, CLP970 or 990, CLP860 or 880) for a **low** price, it would be a nice choice.

But among most other "oldies", I'd have to agree with Signa. Stay away. (I didn't look, but I'm guessing that most of your ebay-listed models are way older?)

As for waiting for NAMM, I wouldn't bother. In your price range (£430, or $700), you can currently find a decent slab, but nothing special. What will NAMM bring? A **new** crop of decent slabs ... but no decent consoles. Not in that price range.

You mentioned maybe having more money (£1000, or $1600) sometime soon. For that amount of money, you can get a good new console ... many choices. But, in that range you might also find a fair selection of used models. If you could find a used CLP270/280 in that price range, get it.

If I gave the impression that I will have more money later, then I apologise, that was my mistake or lack of clarity with my writing. No, 'fraid not. No more money coming, I am stuck with a cheapy. The essence of what I need to know is, will the ydp140 or korg sp250 be better than my old clp 360, given it is 20 years old. Thanks for your input, J.

Simple answer: "No."

The YDP140 uses what Yamaha calls "GHS" key action and it's a step down from what you have now. However any Yamaha with "GH" action would be as good or better than what you have. So that would be the P155, YDP160, YDP223 or any CLP.
If cost is an issue the P155 is priced lower than a YDP140.

Sound has improved a lot and will get better but any of the above pianos is so much better than what was available 20 years ago. Of the above, the P155 is the newest and so has the newest (as of 2009) sound technology but eh ydp223 has far better speakers and will play louder with more dynamic range.

Thanks ChrisA, brilliant! That is just the info I needed, I will look at the models you suggest, or indeed any models with GH. The keyboard action is essentially the issue. Any thoughts about the Korg? J.

I was unable to find a Korg SP250 to try. I even contacted Korg USA sales department and asked for help.

People say sp250 is pretty good for the price but I would have had to order one on-line sight unseen.

The YDP-140 actually averages around $150 less than the P-155 I believe.

Anyways, the P-155 has smaller speakers and less in the way of a cabinet but it has similar stats to the CLP-340 in terms of sample layers, polyphony, key-off samples, sustain sampling, damper resonance etc. I think the only significant differences between the P-155 and the much more expensive CLP-340 are that the CLP-340 has a GH3 keyboard as opposed to just GH and it has bigger internal speakers, furniture cabinet, key cover etc.

If the speakers prove too small on the P-155 you could always hook up a pair of headphones or an amp. Personally, I was wanting a CLP-340 but decided to save $1,000 and just settle on the P-155 after reading how much alike they are in terms of technology and sound sampling etc., mine should be here on Tuesday (can't wait!). I can live without all the cabinetry and bigger speakers etc. for that much of a price difference, mine's just going to be in a small bedroom anyways.

P.S.
Sorry if I got a little off-track from the discussion!

Thanks very much for that, I look forward to hearing how you enjoy your new p155. I assume one can get a 'proper' stand etc for it. I don't like the 'X' type very much.

I visited a local piano shop on Saturday, he had yamaha and rolands. Rolands sound pretty good, anyone know how they compare to CLPs etc. So much more expensive than buying off the net though. eg clp320 on net £850 in shop 1200 and something!!!!

I didn't see a p155 but tried a p85, not so bad, but not much umph! soundwise, I guess the p155 would be much better, in touch as well as sound?

Still wondering if anyone has any views about the Korg sp250.

Thanks again all for your interest and input.

jo1111:
I don't much care for X-stands either, I ordered my P-155 as part of a package-deal that includes a sturdier looking stand for it, as well as a bench etc.

Here's the page I ordered from so you can see what it all looks like (I have nothing to gain from posting this link so please don't think I'm advertising):
http://www.kraftmusic.com/catalog/keyboards/88keykeyboards/index.asp?product=7140

Once it comes in I'll let you know what I think of it. I don't have much experience with digital pianos so I won't be able to give you any comparison to other models, but I'll be sure to give you my impressions of it regardless. I'll try and get a couple recordings up too once I get everything figured out. For now I'm stuck playing the waiting game as my new piano bravely treks it's way across 600 miles of open country. Oh what fun, hehe.

Oh well, I'm sure I'll be dancing around squealing like a giddy schoolgirl once the UPS guy shows up at my door. I've been making do with a junker for the last few years and it's high time I got a decent instrument.

that's a great deal! It works out at £830.381 - wonderful. I wonder if they do international orders - shipping would cost a fortune :-) J.