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OK - very slight variation from the standard question:

I have a young piano student who is doing quite well as a beginner but desperately needs a piano at home to practice on (at the moment she's borrowing a casio keyboard (not piano action, nor velocity sensitive) of mine.

Parents keen but not willing to make big investment at this stage, which is understandable. In the local listings, there's a Yamaha CLP220 (seller dates purchase 2008) for €500 ($650 or £400). It is conveniently near, and such offers are relatively rare in this country. He is unwilling to bargain. Even so, if it's in near new condition/ perfect working order, it seems a quite good deal to me. What do you think? (Main difference I see compared with current range is only 64 voice polyphony, but I don't think that matters in this case).

Depending on local market it may or may not be a good deal. If it feels like one it probably is.

For that price you really can't do better.

It's too bad it's a CLP220 rather than a CLP240.
The 240 has 3-level dynamic sampling.
But it's not likely you'll find one under $1000.

Thanks Dr Popper and MacMacMac. When see it and try it and report back, I hope.

Yeah, that seems feasible to me. I think this piano would dominate the new pianos being sold for that price. Cheaper is always better, of course, but this price seems like a reasonably large discount from the purchase price, considering the quality of the piano.

Mmm. Not sure. Released October 2005. Single layer piano sample. I'd see what the Casio PX130 retails at before going for this Yamaha.

EssBrace, how can you tell it has only a single layer?

Let's assume that's the case, though. That would mean the sounds are on par with the P95, but it has a GH action. In my opinion I've already written down enough to conclude that it is a far better piano than the Casio.

It's easy to hear 1-level sampling. And the CLP220 has just that, according to the specs.

Yes, the CLP220 is better than the Casio, but not better than the P155. Both have the GH keyboard, but the P155 has 4-level sampling.

But at least the CLP220 has a proper cabinet. And you can't do better for $650.

MacMacMac, don't tease me. I believe you can hear it, but you didn't answer the question of where you guys are looking up specs that indicate how many sampled layers it has. I don't see it on the Yamaha page...

....difficult to find information about sample layers. The spec says AWM stereo sampling. And I think the CLP 320/ YDP 161 have 3 level sampling. But about this (200) series, I don't know.

Casio CDP120 and Yamaha P95 both cost between 500 and 600 euro here, that's without a stand.

Their web page has specs for newer models, but I don't know if that's the case with the older CLP220.

So if the specs aren't there, get them from the user manuals. Those are available even for VERY old models.

The CASIO has 4 level sampling and 3 sensors. The clavinova has 1 level sampling and 2 sensors. Note repeat and layer transitions are much better on the CASIO. The Yamaha has better speakers.

....difficult to find information about sample layers. The spec (from yamaha usa) just says 'AWM stereo sampling'. And I think the CLP 320/ YDP 161 have 3 level sampling. But about this (200) series, I don't know.

Casio CDP120 and Yamaha P95 both cost between 500 and 600 euro here, that's without a stand.

Link

The last page under CLP220.

Edit: removed out of date question. Thanks for the source.

Kbeaumont, that pdf is great, thanks!

So, the sound engine is fairly rudimentary by today's standards. What is more important in this case is probably a good keyboard (that's OK: it has GH) good sound (20 + 20 watts, Yamaha system, should be at least OK), piano like features (accessible, solid, fixed pedals - all ok) and reliability.

The last point is the risk factor really. But, as gvfarns says, in terms of quality for that price - despite one sample layer and 64 voice polyphony - it's a reasonable to good deal, I think.

.....by the way, the spec sheet mentions sampling banks (30 for the lower models and 50 for the better ones). What on earth are 'sampling banks'? Does this in fact refer to the number of samples taken across the keyboard range - meaning that samples are stretched to fill a cluster of adjacent notes, or it's something completely different?

Your assumption is correct...higher models have more individual notes sampled...but note that other than in one or two current and past models all Yamahas are "stretched" in this way.

We went to see the (Yamaha Clavinova 220) piano yesterday. It was in perfect condition and so I advised my pupil's mother to get the piano - which she did.

I'm keeping it in my house for a few days because she wouldn't have had room to take it home in her car with the children. So I'm comparing it more carefully against my own digital - Roland HP302.

The sound is certainly less lively and realistic on the Yamaha, and I don't hear much variation from pp - ff apart from volume. But, despite its complexity and authentic sound, there is a funny characteristic about the Roland SN piano. A certain lack of body or colour. So even the less advanced Yamaha AWM has, in a certain way, a more substantial tone. Overall, though, the Roland is in a different class altogether - and the Roland has 3 or 4 hundred other sounds whereas the Yamaha has about 10.

The amp is 20+20 on the Yamaha and 12+12 on the Roland. However, the Roland is actually louder - more efficient amp and speakers. Sound quality better on the Roland. (both are rather restricted in frequency range, though)

As for the keyboard: Yamaha's GH feels very good: firm and well defined. But the Roland PHAII is just as solid but freer in movement: lighter. I much prefer the Roland (as I did in the shop, over both Kawai and Yamaha and other cheaper actions such as PHA alpha II)

Having said that, though, the action of either would suit me well enough if I did not have the choice.

Anyway, my student has got a pretty good deal: new condition Yamaha Clavinova for €500. So all's well.