Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards CASIO CDP 200R vs CASIO PX130

I have a friend who wants to buy a Digital Piano. I told them that I generally prefer Casio over other brands for the lower priced models.

Anyhow, although I suggested the Privia series, they told me today that they'd like to get the CDP 200R. And I need your advice on this.

I own the PX110, and have played on PX130 and PX330. But not on any DPC model. My hunch is that the DPC is similar priced but older than the PX130 and rather worst (for example the privia has 128 notes polyphony, while the DPC has "only" 48).

The person who wants to buy the DP, cannot try any of the above out (except for the PX110, which lies on my studio).

Is my hunch correct? Should I rather go for the PX instead the DPC, please?

Yes you are correct. The PX-130 would be the better choice. The CDP 200 is the same as the WK-500, but with weighted keys. It has a lot of sounds, rhythms and there are a lot of other cool things it can do like sample, but the sound source (AHL) is not as good as the AIF used in the Privia. There is less polyphony. Your friend could also consider the Yamaha P-95 and Korg SP-170 in this price range. You should encourage your friend to play a range of pianos and do not buy anything sight unseen even if it means taking a whole day or two to try out the pianos.

Your friend has played on the PX130 and 330 - so I wonder what(s)he thought of them?

I think the CDP200 has an earlier keyboard action and sound engine, so is hardly likely to be better in that respect, but I have no experience of this myself. Instead purchasing a DP without trying it is just asking for disappointment.

buddha: I have tried the privia series, not my friend.

So the CDP 200 is, indeed, an earlier keyboard. I have to check if she wants something more than a 'mere' DP (like rhythms and stuff), and if she does then it seems an one way street I'm afraid.

galaxy: I'm in Greece, so not a chance to get to try all of them (although I would imagine that Icould find the P95...).

I also think that she 'just wants a dP' and is willing to take anything. She used to play the piano, doesn't know anything about music technology, so anything is bound to be ok with her I think (although I do agree that anyone serious enough would need to get their hands on the actual keyboard prior to any purchase).

Nikolas,
After re-reading your original post I saw you are in Europe. I would suggest you take her to a store where she can try out some pianos. If you have ever played a CDP-100, then you know what your are getting in the CDP-200. It is the same sound source and action which tends to be noisy. A lot of the newer Casios have complaints about the keybeds-sticking keys, loose, wobbly keys. There is more side to side play in the new Privias. I think they have taken a step backward on the keybed quality. The Korg SP-170 is a pretty strong competitor to the Privia series and should cost about the same as the Privia. I would recommend that over the Yamaha P-95.

Quite a bit cheaper in Europe actually, at Thomann the Korg SP170 is priced at €468 the CDP200 and the PX130 are both around €600