Hi All, thanks for a great forum, lots of great information from some very experienced musicians.

I am about to start playing piano again and want to buy a digital piano. I was planning on getting a Yamaha YDP140 or 160 (I really like the YDP223 but don't want to spend so much money at the moment). I have an opportunity to pick up a used Casio PX800 for around $600. I am primarily interested in the piano sound but I do like the chorus feature on the Casio boards. I understand that the Casio PX800 is now discontinued and is being replaced by the P130/P330. Does anyone have any words of advice as to which of these pianos might be the best choice. Many thanks.

English Paul,
The PX-800 is going to be replaced by the PX-830. According to Mike Martin of Casio it is supposed to be available in early 2010. Not sure if it will be on display at NAMM. The PX-130/330 are both stage pianos. The differences between these and the PX-800 are the 4 layer piano samples and improved keyboard action on the PX-130/330. There have been reports of problems with the keybeds on the new models. There have been complaints of depressed/sticking keys, as well as alignment issues where the keys rub against each other causing clicking sounds. Difficult to say how widespread these issues are.

PX-800 uses the older action and piano sample. It has the AIF sound source with 128 polyphony like the PX-130/330. This model has received good ratings from those who own it. It has more sounds on it than the PX 830 will have when it finally becomes available. It also has a 40 watt amplifier and has very good sound. Yamaha YDP 160 is also a solid piano with nice touch and good piano sound. It does cost more the the PX-800. If you want a console piano the PX-800 is a good choice. It will cost less than the Yamaha and is of good quality.

Of the Yamahas, the YDP160 and 223 both have the better "GH" key action. The 140 has the "GHS" action. I just bought a P155. It has the same GH action as the 160/223 but has newer sound technology inside. It also costs less than the YDP160. I also did not like the way the YDP160's controls are designed.

Comparing Yamaha to Casio, The pianos with GH acton are all around better than any Casio.Of the current lineup of Casio, I think you are better off with a PX330 than the older 800. The 330 has the latest generation of keys and sound

Hey, English Paul,

I have wrote a short review of the Casio PX-830 (you can find it here) because I have literally JUST bought one. I would seriously recommend it and I couldn't be more happy that I chose it over the Yamaha YDP-140.

If you have any questions, just post them in the next few days.

Cheers.

This sounds extremely good to me

"used Casio PX800 for around $600"

Many thanks to all for your advice, much appreciated. With there being so many models available, it's hard to make a choice. I do like the portability of the slab pianos and after reading some of the posts I'm now considering the Yamaha P155 instead of the Casio P130/P330. I'm now a little gun shy over the Casio's based on a number of comments I've read about keyboard and other quality issues. A few years ago I owned a P70 and was very happy with it except for the under powered amplifier - so perhaps I should stick with Yamaha. But as you say BSC, that used PX800 does seem like a good deal at $600, almost half what I would pay for the P155 and I'm not sure that as a beginner, I would really be able to tell the difference between the two. I'll just have to sleep on it. Thanks again all.