There seem to be 2 USB connectors, one for USB devices and one for an USB host. I suppose the connection to USB devices will be used to read/write MP3 and WAV files. That's fine. But what exact purpose does the USB host connection have? Can it be used instead of MIDI? Or anything else like that?

Correct, the 'USB to Host' connector provides an alternative to the older MIDI connectors.

Kind regards,
James
x

My 2p worth:

I much prefer the look of the CA63/93 to the CA51/71/91 series. I like the fact that it looks more like a 'real' piano - there isn't a row of buttons in front of the keys. I also like the extra legs and the spaced out Kawai lettering. Another thing that I disliked on the CA71 and CA91 were the handles on the key cover.

I was seriously considering a CA18, but was put off by the lack of midi. I could afford a CA51, but much preferred the look of the CA18. Now I can have both if I wait around for a CA63 :o).

Its also good to see the inputs at the front rather than the back, though that will probably make it look messy if you permanently have something plugged into it.

Do we know if there is going to be a version in Rosewood? I see that the only two versions in Japan are black and cherry.

Andy

Yes, both the CA93 and CA63 will be available in Premium Rosewood when they arrive in Europe.

Kind regards,
James
x

James, How would you compare the CA93 to the HP307 now that both are on the market in Japan?

theJourney, I have not had the chance to play the HP307 (or indeed, any of the new HP30x model for that matter...). I shall have to pay a visit to the Roland shop, possibly this weekend.

The marketing materials do look very detailed and impressive, however, so I fully expect the new Roland instruments to provide plenty of competition for the new KAWAI models.

Cheers,
James
x

And in a year or so they will introduce:

- Super-Duper-Ultra-Progressive Harmonic Imaging (SUX54, SUX84).

Can't tell you ANY details without having to kill you afterward. Sampling is a super-secret, need-to-know, highly proprietary thing. You probably wouldn't understand it anyway.

The design between the CA93/63 is also different if you have noticed this aspect. Personally I prefer the design of the CA93

LOL. You should ask James if you could work as an intern in his copywriting department!

I suspect something less exciting ... like "Ultra-Progressive Harmonic Imaging II" two year later

The question is still, what does the Ultra Progressive Harmonic Imaging sound like? We want a demo, right? Perhaps KAWAI James has something useful?

It's been a life-long dream of mine to be a junior copy boy! Let me have a crack at it: (clears throat)

"KAWAI's Super Duper Ultra-Progressive Harmonic Imaging technology is a proprietary system, I'm afraid I cannot go into great detail explaining how the piano sound is produced. However, as you might expect, the most recent SDUPHI implementation allows for an even greater level of expressiveness than previously possible with the current UPHI ('Ultra-Progressive Harmonic Imaging'), PHI ('Progressive Harmonic Imaging') and original 'Harmonic Imaging' techniques."

"When consumers play test the new SUX54/SUX84 (and other upcoming instruments that will use the SDUPHI sound source), I'm confident that they will be pleasantly surprised by the improvement in sound technology over the current CA91/CA71/CA51/CA63/CA93 models."

How did I do?

[edit] OK, that was mean. But I'm kind of surprised this board allows corporate toadies free reign. No offense intended.

Hello,

are the three samples at the bottom of this page UPHI?
http://www.kawai.co.jp/ep/guide/sound.html
(2 piano and 1 e-piano songs only available for CA 63 and CA 93)

Cheers
Jazzist

P.S. I appreciate company guys to contribute to discussions, even more when it is clear that this information is from a specific company (like obviously KAWAI James). Of course there are always official company communication rules to follow. I think, everyone working for a company knows that, so do not blame individuals for sparse information (except for the CEO ;-) ).

James and others....we are debating on getting the CA61 now or waiting for the CA63. Any updates on when the 63 will be in the US? Will it be available in Rosewood? Without seeing or playing the 63 myself any personal opinion on if you would wait for the 63?

Thanks

mdevine, I'm afraid I do not have an exact date for when the new CA93/CA63 instruments will be available in the US. My recommendation would be to contact KAWAI America directly requesting further information.

The CA63 will indeed be available in a Rosewood finish, and - as you might expect - offer a variety of improvements to the keyboard action and sound technology of the CA61, along with some useful new features. If I was in your position, and willing to wait a few months for the instruments to arrive at dealer's stores, I would almost certainly purchase the newer model.

Kind regards,
James
x

Thanks James. We are leaning towards waiting- while not ideal, we can actually wait until Sept 2010 if needed.

All the pics I see seem to be of the CA93.

Does the 63 have legs? Are the electronic controls to the side of the keyboard? The pics of the 93 look much cleaner around the keys vs the 61. Is it the same on the 63? Any other further details you have on the ascetics of the 63 would be most appreciated.

Happy Holidays to all.

mdevine,



Ah, the new models will almost certainly be available well before this time.



Yes, the CA63 cabinet has legs, and features the same cheek-block control panel as the CA93. In fact, from the front, both instruments are very similar in appearance. The most noticeable difference is the back because the CA63 does not utilise the soundboard speaker.

In case you have not seen them already, please take a look at the following gallery pages for the CA63 and CA93 on the KAWAI Japan website.

http://www.kawai.co.jp/ep/products/ca63/gallery.html
http://www.kawai.co.jp/ep/products/ca93/gallery.html

I have a selection of other photographs of these new models, yet am a little reluctant to show them publicly before the instruments have been officially announced outside of Japan.

I hope this helps.

Seasons greetings from Japan!

Kind regards,
James
x

Should I/others be concerned that the 63 does not use the soundboard vs the 61? Seems like a step backwards.

The CA61 was added to the CA51, CA71, and CA91 range several months after the initial product launch, and is not available outside North America.

As suggested previously, the new Concert Artist models feature very similar specifications, with the CA93's soundboard speaker being one of the main differences between the two. If the CA63 also featured a soundboard speaker I doubt there would be sufficient differentiation to distinguish the two instruments.

Should you be concerned? Well that's a tricky one to answer. True, the soundboard does have a significant impact on the overall ambience of the sound produced, however the CA63 offers considerably upgraded sound technology (88-key sampling, UPHI) to the extent that I would personally still prefer the newer model.

If possible, my recommendation would be to play-test both the CA61 and CA63 side-by-side, then decide which one you enjoy playing the most.

Kind regards,
James
x

Nobody has purchased one yet, to give us his impressions ? I have read on a german website that they are exepected to be available in february.

A dealer in Germany told me today that the CA63 will be introduced on January 27th and that the first deliveries will be made within 14 days after that. This dealer wants to sell the CA63 for "probably" 2590 EUR (ca. 3700 USD or 3100 USD without sales tax).

Hello guys,

I was going to buy a Cn42 soon, but I've found this interesting topic.

Is the Ca63 better than the Cn42?(I think so, but I'm a rookie)

Is there any way to buy the piano in Japan, and to get shipped in France?


Do you think that the Ca63 worth the difference between the Cn42 (Which is quite hard to find in France, by the way -_-)


Thank you for reading!


Vincent

Are you sure about this, it sounds very expensive to me. Would you please confirm that this price is not related to the CA93?

Salut destroyer je vois que tu as trouvé le bon forum pour te renseigner Personnellement j'ai un CA 51, la gamme précédente donc, et ça n'a déjà rien à voir avec les CN. Mais à priori il y a encore plus à espérer des nouveaux ca 63 et 93, car le clavier va être plus lourd, donc encore plus proche d'un vrai piano, et pour avoir essayé l'ancienne gamme (CA50) qui était plus lourde, c'est bluffant.

J'avais testé un jour un hp203 de roland puis juste après le vieux CA50, eh bien la claque sur le deuxième, j'avais l'impression d'être sur un vrai piano à coté. Donc on va voir ça, espérons d'ici 1 mois, en réel en magasin. Pour le prix je pense plutôt que ça sera vers 2200 € le ca 63 et 2900 le ca93.

Yes, Andree, a price of 2590 EUR for the CA63 struck me too. I am looking for a successor to the CA51 which has a list price of 1990 EUR and is currently selling for around 1800 EUR (including 19% sales tax). I will check again if the dealer quoted the price for the CA93.

This seems to be a clip of the CA 93 in home use. So there are actually some pianos out. Hopefully somebody can give us his/her first impressions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAFbDTMnkyI

As long as you know what corp he toads for, is it a problem? I will ask James about Kawai, and even if I get the sales pitch, I am confident enough in my faculties that I might evaluate it against other people's input on Kawai or different makes.

Wow, what a fantastic sound, it sounds like a real Grand to me

I have found a website that has prices for the CA63 and CA93.

CA63: £2,199.00, ~2,460 eur ~$3,600
CA93: £2,999.00 ~ 3,360 eur ~ $4,900
http://blog.sheargoldmusic.co.uk/were-still-open-its-snow-joke/

edit: I have also found this site
http://www.musik-schmidt.de/gb-Kawai-CA63.html
has the rrp of 2290 eur ($3,330, £2050)

and
http://www.musik-schmidt.de/gb-Kawai-CA93.html
rrp of 3190 eur ($4,600, £2848)

You're right, I was completely out of line and hope KAWAI James will accept my sincere apology.

But you have to admit, corporate influence here is something of a two edged sword.