After much research here and elsewhere I purchasing a new Yamaha CP33 for the excellent price of $849. It arrived today and I've played it for about an hour. Some initial impressions.

I already really like the board. I was a bit nervous about buying a 6 year old design, but all my purchase objectives kept pointing to the CP33. I was looking for a great price, a top notch keybed, good sound through headphones, and a board that I can grow with and play out with in a year or so as I progress. The only sound I was concerned with was the piano.

The price speaks for itself. Honestly, I just did not really find anything else in the range that hit all my points. I would have gone higher in price, but felt I did not need to with the CP33 being available.

As far as the keybed weight and feel, the jury is still out. I cautiously like it, although it does feel a bit heavy. I did not play a CP33 in the store, but I did play a CP50 and P155 that have the same keybed before the purchase. I'm hoping I come to love it. Time will tell.

I only play through my Grado SR125i headphones. I'm a beginner and live in an apartment. No need for speakers at this time. The dynamics are immediately noticeable on the CP33, as I'm currently used to playing on a semi-weighted board. There is a bit of minor ringing in a couple of the octaves above middle C, but it does not seem too bad. Overall the sound is sweet and enjoyable, nice indeed.

Overall, I'm very happy with the CP33. It seems to be what many people were saying about it. A solid board for a very reasonable price.

I'd like to thank many of the posters here for help and knowledge you have provided in other threads. Much of which I used to evaluate this purchase.

I always preferred the slightly heavier keyboard action of the CP33\CP300 to the lighter CP5. Enjoy it!

As a new player used to semi-weighted light action, the key feel is different. A positive change I believe. But the keys do seem to have a very rigid stop with very little cushion at the end of the stroke. It almost seems like striking a hard surface. Is this characteristic common to acoustic piano actions? I'm asking as I understand that these actions are designed to be similar to acoustic pianos, yet I don't have any experience with them.