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Hi, everyone! Hope all is well where you are. I purchased a Kawai Digital Piano, CA-93, in 2010, new and since then have enjoyed it... However a few things "annoy" me (and have since 2010)...

1) The Sound, for me, sounds a little "dull" in the middle register, and I'm not sure how to adjust it using the Virtual Technician. I prefer a slightly brighter/clear tone of a Yamaha... Sometimes, I really like the sound of the CA-93, and other times, it's just okay.

2) The Wooden Action - is good, but feels "squishy" (notice this more when the volume is not as high), and adjusting the action from "normal" to "heavy" (for me) doesn't help, it just mutes the sound more, and I have to press down the keys much harder and the sound is compromised (from being "muted").

Overall, it's a fine digital, and at the time of purchase, was the flagship of the CA series. Are the new digitals from Kawai (CA-99) a much better instrument in regards to action and sound? What improvements have been made? Should I consider a Yamaha digital?? I can save up my $$, but I don't want to spend more than the digital is worth, since it would depreciate in value. I am also a piano teacher, and would use this instrument to teach (preschool - intermediate level students) as well as for my personal enjoyment.

I've found this image that's very helpful for showing the difference between the RM3 action that your CA-93 used and the Grand Feel lineup:



Note - shown is the Grand Feel 2, but the Grand Feel 3 should be the same length. I think they only changed the sliptape & screw mechnism to something more robust and left the rest mostly unchanged.


As far as 'squishy' goes - I do not know what exactly you mean when you use it in this context. As seen in the picture, the pivot is significantly further back on new models, which should help the feel. If you mean the dampening at the bottom of the stroke - I'd assume that it's the same type of felt they use in acoustic pianos. It looks unchanged in the picture.


Honestly, there's probably no substitute for you finding a store and trying out a few models.
(And this is from hypocritical me, who watched a bunch of videos and ordered online because the local stores are out of stock and out of demo units.)

Thanks, steamrick! I appreciate the reply & photo. I asked a piano salesman, who sold me the 93, and who sells the new ones now, if he liked the newer model's action. He said my action was very good, and personally, he wouldn't upgrade as the newer action, on the CA 99 was lighter. By, "squishy", I mean spongy at the bottom of the keybed. I prefer a good acoustic action, but for space & sound, need a digital.

Hello 88ivories,

There have been numerous improvements made to the keboard action and sound technologies of digital pianos (across all of the brands) since the CA93.

As steamrick notes, it's strongly recommended to visit a few piano dealers to play-test the latest models from Yamaha, Roland, of course Kawai. I think you will be pleasant surprised by the superior sound and firmer action of the CA99 compared to your current instrument.

Best of luck!

Kind regards,
James
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Money depending, Kawai and Yamaha also produce hybrid digital pianos ---well worth a try if you're at a store.