Hi, this is my first post, so please me nice to me

I'm a uni student, so can't dish out thousands of dollars for the best model. But I'm learning piano quickly on my own and would like to buy a digital piano for around $1200 AUS.

We currently own a Worlde piano, lol, it's crap. It was about $400, it's keys are clunky; while you are playing it you only get the deeper sounds rise up from the speakers underneath; some keys play louder than others; and the actual piano sound is not quite so good, not to mention the power supply is going so there is a flickering of the screen and a buzzing in the speakers and through the headphones.

So I have $1200 and with much difficulty have narrowed it down to what I think will be good. I've been trying to find out as much as I can about the Casio Privia PX-830. Is this a good digital piano?

Like I said I am learning, but learning fast. I would like it to have:

- Best piano sound for the price.
- Best piano touch for the price.
- MIDI capabilities
- Some other sounds would be nice (though I guess I can use MIDI to generate other sounds through it)
- 3 pedals, stand

I don't need any of that demo, song crap in it. I think the 830 would be good, but I'd like to know if anybody owns one. I just DO NOT want clunky/wobbly keys and fake piano sound. Keep in mind though, anything I get for the price would be a step up from the piano we have now.

Any comments on this piano?

I have no comments on your particular model (never played it) but I would throw in some other models for consideration near your budget:

- Roland F110
- Kawai CN22
- Kawai CL35
- Korg LP-350
- Yamaha YDP-141

Both touch and sound are very much dependend on personal preference. Especially in that price range you will have to compromise. You should definitely try before you buy!

In my opinion, having played all of them, the Privia PX 830 is better than the Korg LP-350 and the Yamaha YDP-141. Cannot comment on the other three, although I played a Kawai CN 42 (which is more expensive) and it was wonderful.

If you are looking for a low price Casio makes a whole series of pianos, the PX830 all the way down the the PX130. They all have about the same sound and key action but the case and other things differ. But if all you care about is keyaction and sound then you can spend 1/2 as much on some other Casio -30 model. But then, if you like the 830 and can afford it....

If you could afford a console piano, get one. But given your budget constraints, I'd suggest a slab keyboard. Spend the money on the best piano you can afford, and skip the cabinet.

I'd suggest the Yamaha P155. It has Yamaha's middle-quality keyboard action, quite good. And MUCH better than that found on the YDP141.

And the P155's sound generator is superb, ranking with some of the much-more-expensive Clavinovas.

It falls short on speakers. But that's true of almost all digitals (unless you're prepared to spend $5000 or more). So I'd suggest an external sound system. Some simple stereo equipment with decent speakers, or even a better-quality PC speaker set will work wonders.

The P155 might be over your limit by a small amount, or maybe not. I don't know what the AU price would be.

I have a P155 and mostly agree. The P155 is a reasonable step up from Casio. Bt I think the speakers are OK for the intended purpose, piano practice. The speakers lack in volume not quality.

But really, right now I'm learning the RH part of a Schuman etude. Does anyone really want to hear the RH half of this played badly 50 times day after day for a week? Low volume is nice, perfect for this kind of work. When you get better and master the peice then turn on th big speakers. But 90% of my playing is low volume or headphones so the P155 is perfect.

I've seen many videos of the P155, (I don't know if any of you have watched Kyle Landry's improvisation peices on Youtube, I watch a lot of em and he uses the P155) and it was one of my considerations, but it might be a little too expensive. It only comes with one pedal and it only comes with an X stand, have to buy the other one seperate.

I was looking at the PX830 compared to the lower Casios because of the better quality speakers and I like the design (I'm a designer, asthetics is important to me :))

I'm planning on hitting several music shops tomorrow, so I might see if I can find some of the models being mentioned. But I guess when I find the one I feel most comfortable on with the features I want, that will be the decider. I will definitely look out for the P155 in my travels as well.

Thanks for the quick response everybody. If anybody else has something good or bad to say about these models, please do.

I went to Allans Music in Rundle Mall today and the guy there showed me the Roland F-110. It's more expensive than what I hoped to pay, but man did it sound great. They didn't have the Privia 830 there, but they had the 130 (I think) and it didn't sound too good and felt a pit cheap.

I'm starting to lean towards this Roland...

Hi, can I ask what you ended up going with? I have been looking at the Casio PX-830 but can't decide if it's worth the extra money and I should just go with the PX-730 instead...

I have and I love them! Although he has been using his older p-120 lately.

Alyssa,
The PX-830 has a nicer cabinet and better audio system. The amplifier is 20 watts per channel and the speakers are an upgrade over what the PX-730 has.It also has the ivory touch keybed. The 730 is more like a slab piano with the 8watt per channel amp and smaller speakers. they both have the same amount of tones--16. The 830 has a card reader line in and out jacks and USB MIDI. It may have more features than you want but is a enhanced model over the PX-730.

Thanks Galaxy. The 830 is slightly out of my price range but if the 730 is absolute rubbish compared to the 830 then I guess I don't have much choice...

I've also been recommended some various Yamaha digital pianos but I'm not too keen on them for some reason. Any opinion on Yamaha's?

Thanks for your help

All current Casios play and sound much the same because they all use the same samples and action. The difference lies in finishes, features, amps and speakers so no the 730 is not absolute rubbish compared to the 830.

As for Yamaha well they make good quality instruments, even the cheapest Yamaha's are decent and will last. The same cannot be said for all instrument manufacturers. Plus they make some of the finest digital pianos available.

If you don't like Yamaha feel or sound there's no problem, Roland, Korg, Kawai and others also make excellent DPs!

Alyssa,
Did not mean to make you think the PX-730 is rubbish. It is a less expensive model with less features. It comes with a different package than the PX-830. Had you considered the PX-130 or PX-330?

As for Yahama, they make very nice digital pianos, but cost considerably more. They have a reputation for quality over Casio.Yahama, Korg, Roland, and Kawai are considered higher quality than Casio thus they cost more. While staying within a budget is important, you should try playing digital pianos out of your price range. This way you get to compare the sound and the touch. Touch is the most important consideration since that cannot be changed. You can always connect a digital piano to a computer to improve sound by using software. Korg makes a nice DP (SP-250)that sells for $699 US. Not sure what it goes for in your market.

Thanks. I have a number of friends who play piano who have all recommended the Privia's to me that's all. I don't want the PX-130 because I think it sounds too light. I guess I'm leaning towards the PX-730 but we'll see

Hi,

You could check out the Kawai CL35 at http://www.pianoworld.com.au/pianos-for-sale/kawai-pianos.htm

The CL35 has the AHA-IV key action, 88 key Harmonic Imaging, 96 polyphony, three pedals, 13W+13W speakers. Its around your price range.

A litte higher is the CN23 which has the upgraded RH action, ivory touch, 88 key Progressive Harmonic Imaging, 96 polyphony, three pedals, 20W+20W speakers.

Both have MIDI in/out

Brian

I don't agree that the keys on a Korg are any better than on the 830; I would lean toward the contrary. The 830 also has the Ivory Touch keys, where the 330 and 730 have 'normal' keys. They are supposed to use the same mechanism, but I had the very strong feeling that the Ivory touch versions are better and more stable when playing them. And for sure, I liked them more than the Korg keys, that become 'wobbly' very fast and often show large gaps between the keys. I think the 830 isn't a bad choice if all near competitors are significantly more expensive. Otherwise try some Yamaha and Roland and Kawai stuff and see what you like best. As for the sound; it's OK, but there's better on the market; for practicing I guess it will fit your needs.