Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Played a Higher End DP For the First Time Today......

It was a Roland HPi-50. I was in a music store about 40 miles from home, and the salesman allowed me to noodle around on it for awhile. He then demo'ed a number of the built-in features.

Having no other DP expereince other than my Yamaha DGX-640, I was impressed with the improved feel and action of the HPi-50. I also liked the large clear LCD screen for displaying scores, etc. I didn't find some of the other features, like the built-in Lessons module very useful to me (especially, the videogame-like ones that are geared towards children). But, overall I was impressed. The salesman and I started to (hypothetically) talk about price, etc. (They take trades.) But I'm afraid that the HPi-50 is still a bit more than my budget would allow. (Listed Price was $4600).

Nevertheless, this experience demonstrated to me (for the first time) what is often discussed in these forums -- the importance of good "action", and how it differs between a lower-end DP like mine and a higher-end DP like this one.

So, my question is - what other DP models have comparable action to the HPi-50, along with a large-ish LCD screen - but at a significantly reduced price - (say $2000-$2500)? I'm not saying that I'm ready to buy/upgrade yet, but the more info I can research, the better.

Thanks!

If you forget about the large LCD screen. You'll cut a bunch of money.

As far as keyboard performance, sound, quality. Ok... I'll stand up to the plate of contention with my Ingrid. (she's a VPC)

I`ve seen several of these Rolands, or their predecessors, on Ebay, Some have a really big screen mounted on/into the music stand which is a huge aid to convenient recording and other functionallity. Now, these instruments will be of similar practical purpose as your DGX, but a few steps ahead, as it were. Like 60 Watts per channel output instead of 6, and more tracks for recording to. I was tempted, but really have no need for the upgrade although I`d like a better playing action than the DGX provides and of course, a somewhat more tweakable piano.

All things considered, and I have tried top end piano actions on the most complex stuff I do (lol), I did get an upgrade on my 630. I got the 650. I don`t regret it; it`s a cracker. The piano sounds so good I haven`t had the inclination to use pianoteq or indeed any of the hundreds of sounds in there . .

Have fun!

If you do not need a console piano then the Roland RD-700NX stage piano has a nice action (IMO). You will need external amplification and speakers though.

Hmm...That's a thought (and a lower-cost option). How different is the 650's action compared to your 630 (or my 640, if you know)? I really liked the idea of the large LCD in the music stand though, and the DGX's don't have that.

I wish that I had more DP dealers within an easy drive, so that I could try different models out first-hand, but I don't. None in my town (except a dealer who stocks low-end Yamahas) and the nearest one with a little variety (where I played the Roland) is 40-45 miles away.

Thanks.

The action`s the same. The screen on the DGX is adequate for purpose, mind. I`ve tried out high end keyboards as you read; some are really good, others not so. But it makes very little difference to my musicality, if any. And one thing to consider about the GHS action fitted to the lower end Yamahas - they`re very light. At the edge of the keyboard that is! Havin` said that, the touch response is electric. Those notes really ring out. And you can de tune it as much or little as you like, to avoid that "clinical" sound most DPs have . .

Now, when are Yamaha going to put a Kawai keyboard in there? Keep everybody happy . .