Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Kawai new model imminent - CA-65 replacing CA-63 ?

There's a reason why Atom is so cheap and why very few companies build products around them. They're no better than P3 computers from the year 2000. Do not go that route.

Hi folks, I'm new in these forums and a complete DP-newbie. I just googled ca65 and this was the only thing that showed up!

The thing is: I had just about decided about purchasing a ca63, after reading so many raving reviews (and for my needs I don't need the ca93 or the more flashy CS6). But then my local dealer told me that kawai is discontinuing ca63, and he recommended that I should wait till "the fall" when ca65 would replace it. According to him it would be "both better and cheaper".

Question: do you think it's a good idea to wait? Is there any chance the ca65 will be significantly better? I don't know the track record of kawai - but I know from experience with other kinds of technology that new models not always represent improvements. Take ereaders from Sony, for example (I'm a devotee): the discontinued prs 950 model was simply superb, while the replacement prs t1 which was supposed be "better and cheaper" had lots of bugs initially, and simply a lesser model (with some new features, though).

Since so many people are SO happy with the ca63 it feels tempting to go for that one and not wait for the new model. But Kawai might have a history of consistently improving their models, perhaps?

I'll be glad for any opinions and advice!

Re last post about replacement for CA63, a local dealer told me yesterday that the CA65 will be announced in Australia in June. He also states that is why the CS6 is on special offer in Australia, as there is no CA63 stock and they want to move the CS6 before new model arrives.
Personally, I am waiting to see the CA65 before I make my mind up.

oivavoi, Kawai does indeed have a history of consistently improving models - I certainly cannot recall a newer instrument being released with a lower specification.

Unfortunately, however, I'm afraid I cannot comment on Kawai instruments that have yet to be publicly announced - regardless of what dealers may be informing customers.

Just out of curiosity, given your reference to "the fall", am I correct in thinking that you're based in the US?

Kind regards,
James
x

Thanks for your replies!
Kawai James: Nope, I live in Norway. I guess my English has become Americanized by watching too many Hollywood movies;)

[offtopic]
Come on, scandinavian movies are way better than Hollywood cr*p
[/offtopic]

I don't believe a replacement for CA63 will come so soon. It has the latest keyboard action and the latest piano sound. As I wild guess I would say: Musikmesse 2013

It's really a shame that in Italy the movies are dubbed.
Watching movies and cartoons in english is the best way to learn the language, since you're a kid.
END OFF TOPIC !

James

What month and year were the CA63 and CA93 officially unveiled to The World?

I think it was some time in 2009. That's when I first noticed them at a Kawai dealer I visit sometimes. That was late in 2009.

The CA93/CA63 were officially announced by Kawai Japan on the 16/9/2009:

http://www.kawai.co.jp/press/2009/0916.asp

Cheers,
James
x

Ahhhh, a Three Year Product Cycle is upon us. Seems like a good place to "Advance The Cause". Now, or in Sept, or after the New Year (3 1/2 yrs).

Whenever, it will be interesting to see what advancements are created.

Let us hope that we get more polyphony, 256 or more, 6 layers for the samples at the least and perhaps newly recorded piano's adding longer decaying notes, not just rehashes of samples recorded twelve years ago as Yamaha does.

Okay, ...

- A Real Spruce Soundboard
- More Watts/Amplifier(s)
- Triple Sensors - Optical not Rubber
- An Adjustable Action - LetOff - Key Force
- Each Note for the Virtual Technician

OK I'll join in since it's fun, not meant to be critical but:

- A Real Spruce Soundboard
Nope, waste of, our, money. Won't make the slightest difference.

- More Watts/Amplifier(s)
OK

In denying the Spruce Soundboard, and wanting more watts I want a proper subwoofer with adjustable frequency crossover.

- Triple Sensors - Optical not Rubber
Nope, waste of, our, money. Won't make the slightest difference.

- An Adjustable Action - LetOff - Key Force
Maybe. What I want is an improved action with a real disengagement of the hammer on first strike then reengage, and that connection feedback you get as it strikes the strings on an acoustic.

- Each Note for the Virtual Technician
Yup, Roland already do that so why not Kawai.

Hmmm...what settings do Roland offer for each key?

Each note on the FP-7F can be (separately) (re)tuned. I don't know about other models.

Ah, okay.

James
x

Is it only tuning which can be changed individually for each key? I can't see any real advantage to this except for deliberately making the piano sound out of tune I would rather prefer to be able to change the EQ (brilliance, warmth, voicing or whatever they call it).

spanishbuddha

Thanks for the comments. I stand on what I suggested.

:=)

Here is a more complete list as to what I thought might be useful in the next models of the CA63/93

- No dangling cords (63) but runways on the back for both
- Ability to export all your Custom Settings to a USB Drive
- A Third Sensor or at least a better Repition
- Sensors replaced with Optical or Infrared
- A "Real" Action based on their ABS Design and Technician Adjustable
- 256 Polyphony or Why not 512 and get done with it?
- Virtual Technician - Whole Keyboard and Note by Note - it is not -that- hard down deep in the programming/firmware
- Better Music Stand
- Real Spruce-Plank Soundboard not vinyl/plywood
- Low Range and Mid Range Soundboard Transducers
- 100x2x3 instead of 50x2 Amps plus two Transducers on the 93
- Low, Mid and High Range Amp section
- Lcd Contrast Control and Cheekblock Led's Lcd Dim/On/Off
- Transducer under Keyboard

Howzzatt?