Hi again,
I am about to buy a Yamaha baby-grand piano (GC1 or A1, see my previous post), and I am tempted to get a disklavier. I see that on most baby grands, dkv comes in two flavors: E3 and MarkIV, with a price difference of 3800 Euros.
Yamaha's website hypes both but I can't see a clear comparison. They both seem to include the same capabilities except for the remote, which is not too relevant since they can both be controlled with my iphone/ipad.

I found this page: http://www.pianobuyer.com/pages/168.html which compares them but contradicts the brochure on Yamaha's website stating that E3 offers a silent mode. So the main difference I see is a worse sound and a no hard drive (but a USB drive can be added). I suspect there are much more significant differences in the interface, but with the new iphone/ipad app is this really an issue?

Are there any Mark IV features E3 doesn't have and that you could not live without?
Also, are there any features in E3 that Mark IV doesn't have (other than the clear front panel that I like)?

I would appreciate any info!

Stefan.

Hi there again,

The E3 is a simple and cheaper version of it's big brother the disklavier mark IV, it is a personal choice, you need to find out what you will need it for and what you want to do with it!
Talk to your Yamaha dealer, they can demonstrate the differences better, you will be able to see it, hear it, always good when you are deciding on spending so much money.

Maybe Chris Venables can chime in, he is a big Yamaha dealer in the UK , he will know everything!

Slef,

Unless you're a computer nerd, go for the E3. It's much more user friendly, less problematic and as Patrick says, you may not need the extras featured on the MIV model.

Thank you both!!
Actually, I am a bit of a computer nerd so I am not afraid of more features, but I like user friendliness and the simple controls of the E3 are a plus for me.

My main use for a disklavier will be to record my improvisations, record a bass line when I practice jazz, maybe make arrangements or compose (I would use it with a computer for that), and use the silent mode at night to spare my neighbors.
I imagine the E3's key sampling precision is good enough for my purpose (I can't really tell if there is really a difference from reading the two catalogues).

What confuses me is that I still cannot tell what are the extra features of the MIV vs the E3 other than some minor things. I went to all the main piano dealers in Brussels this week-end, two of them had dkv on display, one was a U1E3 and the dealer told me that MIV just had better sampling precision, the other had a DC3M4 on display and didn't know the E3 existed. So I saw both interfaces and I found the MIV remove a bit unresponsive and not too intuitive. But under the hood, I don't really know what is the difference.

So far I am leaning towards the E3 (for the simpler interface and not knowing what MIV has more), the only negative point I can see is that the dkvBrowser program which looks excellent only works with MIV (but being a computer geek, maybe I can try to do something about that).

ChrisVenerables: I do have a more precise question. I saw that the DC3M4 was fully equipped with speakers, amp and all under the piano. Is the DGC1E3 equipped exactly the same way?

Thanks again!

Slef.

Slef

Yes. E3's are fully loaded - check out this video on

http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/musical-instruments/keyboards/disklaviers/e3_series/dgc1e3/

for a great demo.

Differences: http://www.pianobuyer.com/fall10/166.html

Please note European spec slightly different to Mr Fine's US spec:

http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/musical...1e3/?mode=model

Ah thanks Chris! Now I understand the discrepancy between the different documents.
I really need the silent feature so it's good that the Euro E3 models have it.
Is it true that the DGC1E3 is silent but that the DGB1KE3 is not?

It is, in Europe.

Regards.

The specification and availablity of the E3 varies depending on where you are.
If you are in Europe, Australia, New Zealand or North America, the largest Disklavier grand piano available is the DC2. In North America, Australia, New Zealand and Russia, the E3 is not available with the silent function. In Europe, all models (upright and grand), except for the DGB1 have the silent system. In Asia, the E3 range goes right up to the CFIIIS (this is down to the fact that the MarkIV isn't available there)and is available without silent system, with silent system and up to Disklavier PRO spec, depending on country and model.

I'm far from the aformentioned "computer nerd". I just know how to think and get things done. I own a Mark IV. I play keys so she's the center of my world (outside of my wife, of course). Last week she was tuned and the guy doing the work got me thinking more about the world that exists if she's online. Yesterday I bought a switch and today I put her online In less time than I expected. I would not trade this unit for anything and of course I would recommend. For most of us, the price is a factor. If you can make the investment, it's great. When I moved to this area and saw it in the store, rather than ask "can I afford it?", I asked "What can I do to afford it?". With a plan of action and within a years time, she came home. No regrets.