RP201: http://www.roland.com/products/en/RP201/ - 1800CAD
DP990: http://www.roland.com/products/en/DP-990/index.html - 2160CAD

Dear readers,

It's time for me to say goodbye to my old Casio CDP100 and welcome a new digital piano. After doing some research I'm mostly interested in the two pianos above. The DP990 is definitely at the top of my budget. I'm wondering:

- Has anyone found a large difference between the PHA II and II alpha?
- Has anyone any experience with the tone qualities of either!

Thanks in advance for any advice on this interesting dilemma!

I think at this point you would definietly prefer the DP-990F as it has the SN pianos - quite a leap ahead sound-wise. Have you considered the FP-7F or RD-700NX? They both have SN pianos and PHAIII keys. Or are you dead-set on getting cabinetry?

order of increasing advancement:

pha, phaII alpha, phaII phaIII.

phaII alpha is the lower version of phaII.

Go with DP-990F with SuperNatural and if I'm not mistaken, it will be with phaIII Ivory feel and Escapement.

Thanks for the insights.

The DP990 I priced was just the "990" without SuperNatural. Is SN & PHA II worth the increase in price?

Does anyone know about how much I should be really paying for something like a DP-990F?

Thanks!

Listen to the top octave on the DP990 and see what you think. I rejected it after listening. I have not tried a 990F.

I didn't notice anything special about the DP 990 sound, but the RP-201 sounded weird to me (overall). I'm not sure why, but the sound was just... odd. Maybe because I'm so used to my Casio CDP100.

I'm thinking I'll settle for the RP-201, even with the PHA II alpha. At least its an upgrade from my current piano! Besides, PHA II Alpha is at least better than PHA I, I guess!

I think the FP-7 is nice, but I really need something in a cabinet as I'd like to rest a monitor on the top of the keyboard for sheet music/sequencing purposes.

DevinKell, may I ask if you have considered alternative manufacturers models such as Yamaha YDP-161/181 or Kawai CN23/CN33?

Cheers,
James
x

I haven't really had the opportunity to try out anything other than Rolands in the features/quality category I'm looking at.

The models you listed there seem comparable to the RP-201 in features - but I'm really not sure about the different qualities of keyboard between them (GH vs PHA vs RH)! I guess I'll have to find a large dealer somewhere so I can try these models out! Thanks, Devin.