Looking for a digital "practice" piano recommendation for classical pianist. Action is very important - ability to clearly articulate pieces such as Chopin Etudes, Beethoven Sonatas, etc. Not really interested in various sounds and bells/whistles - just a good solid digital that closely replicates a grand. Practice will occur with headphones. Any input or direction to published resources that would help in decision making process would be greatly appreciated. Budget: no more than $5,000. Thanks!

If you really want to replicate a grand piano action there are only a very small handful of choices .... Yamaha AvantGrand. Yamaha made other models that used a very slightly modified grand piano action but they have been discontinued. You could locate a second hand Yamaha GranTouch 1, Yamaha GranTouch 2, or a GT7.

There is really no digital piano other than those that use a very slightly modified grand action that would satisfy someone wishing to practice on a real grand piano action.

The AvantGrand N2 looks like an upright piano but uses a very slightly modified grand piano action. I've been told the actions in the AvantGrands are from a Yamaha's C3 grand.

(I'm now waiting for someone to mention graded hammers in a digital piano. )

Check out this thread:

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1415632/1.html

You might want to also consider the Kawai CA18.

Thank you Dave. Just looked up the Advants. The N2 and N3....after the price sticker shock - decided I should still take a look at this option! Have a nice day.

Thank you Journey. I saw some literature on the Kawaii CA63/93 also - any input from you on these models?

Spending all that money on expensive speakers and transducers and four channel sampling that will all be disconnected while you practice with headphones seems like a bit of waste of money.

Excellent input Journey. I am certain this will be a good learning experience for me. thanks!

Francee I don't know your exact situation but after my experience with a relatively good digital I don't recommend you spend such a large chunk of money on a digital if you either have an acoustic or are planning for one. Get yourself a decent digital and enjoy the results on the acoustic. I don't think spending lots will make your playing sound much better.

My teacher played something for me recently on her upright acoustic and I practically had a heart attack, thought it was a steinway or something !! It was her playing....

The N2 while listing for $15,000 probably sells for about $11,000. The N3 while listing for about $20,000 sells for about $15,000.

Art - which digital do you play?

francee, I play on a Roland RD700GX and think it's very very good. The Roland HP307 is supposedly slightly better for repetition, but I have no problems with mine either. Both probably have better piano sound than any of AvantGrand, though ultimate feel will go to those.

Personally, after 12 years of classical training, I'm more than happy with what I've got, and it feels pretty close to my Yamaha U3 upright in terms of weight and playability. I have no problem with getting up to speed on Fantasie-Impromptu or Moonlight, and I get the bonus of very nice Rhodes pianos, organs, and a number of other instruments for a pretty nominal price. Don't let others dissuade you - you don't need to spend a fortune on a DP to get something decent and close.

Of course, if you truly want a real action, you will pay at least 3x-4x for what I consider to be diminishing returns on something that simply can't hold its value against a real acoustic of the same price range.