Why purchase a Clavinova CLP 320, the basic Clavinova, instead of a Yamaha Arius 160, that seems to have the same features and then some, at hundreds less. The warranty?

Yes, the CLP320 is little different from the YDP160 ... mostly cosmetic (and the 320 has higher polyphony, not that it really matters).

But the YDP160 is being replaced with the YDP161.
So check out the 161. Or maybe look for an end-of-life bargain on the 160.

My dealer told me, that in his opinion, the CLP 320 will be discontinued in the near future. The YDP 161 is just or almost the same for a lower price.

The real difference is the sales channel. The CLP series in the US is only sold through Yamaha piano dealers while the YDP series is sold by mass market chain retailers and on-line. The piano dealers are low volume retailers that need a product with a high markup. Places like Guitar Centers can live on 15% margins because of their huge volume. So Yamaha protects the piano dealers and limits competition witting each geographical area by not selling the CLP to the big guys who would discount them down to 15%.

The two lines are different but you are comparing the low end of the CLP to the high end of the YDP and find some overlap.

I think Yamaha's product line is "upside down" right now. Their best sounding piano is their CP1/5/50 stage piano which costs less than the high end CLPs.

This seem to be a constant problem since they update products lines at different times. Until recently before releasing the CVP-500 series, the previous flagship CVP-409 is not as good in the main piano as the CLP-380. I imagine the CLP-400 series will incorporate the CP1/CP5/CP50 technology.

Agree that the CLP-320 is now very low tech for a Clavinova. They should do away with the two sensor GH action on the Clavinova line whether CLP or CVP.

Some incredible knowledge on this site. Appreciate the input of ChrisA and 4evr88 that sounds very logical. The CLP 509 will probably add the CP1 technology soon as well I suspect. Are the Roland's best sound tech (HP307?) and Kawai best tech (CA93?) as good as CP1 technology?