I just started learning piano in April so I am really new here. I bought a Yamaha CVP digital piano and had been happy about it until I tried an acoustic Yamaha G3 grand piano in my friend's home. Even I can feel the difference. The sound and the resonance of the G3 is amazing - I was shocked! The touch of the keys was sensational - very different from the digital piano.
I am thinking of switching to acoustic piano, but concerned about the inconvenience (maitanance, tuning...etc.). Also, I can't afford a grand piano. I don't know if cheaper pianos will have the same effect and can outperform digital pianos.

If you are concerned about the inconvenience of maintaining an acoustic, it is best to stick with a digital. The Yamaha Avant Grand is pretty much as good as it gets, regarding digitals.

You will notice a difference between any acoustic piano and any digital piano. Used acoustic pianos retain value longer than digital pianos, so the price difference may not be so great. You could look for a used acoustic if you want to save money.

Great advice!

If you go digital, I am impressed with the Roland V-Piano. Like Yamaha'a Avant Grand, it has developed quite a following.

I think stay with a digital piano because they are recorded from a grand piano and if you get a good one they sound more or less exactly the same and only a slight difference. At least this way you don't have maintenance costs!

I do not agree with this sentiment. Even the very best in digital sampling has yet to match the layered acoustics of a real piano, especially a grand. If you're buying purely for sound, buy an acoustical piano every time.

>I don't know if cheaper pianos will have the same effect and can outperform digital pianos.

Yes sure they do. IMHO even a decent upright (so certainly a good grand) well outperforms the best digitals (eg AvantGrand) in the sound department. The action of a good digital (eg the AG N3) outperforms uprights and comes close to a grand (I think it's even unrealistically 'good' in some ways).

Maintenance on a good piano isn't that difficult. Maintenance on a poor piano is similar or much more demanding but still offers a poor result.

The balance between budget, needs, and expectations will affect the relative advantages of a good digital piano, but most any decent acoustic piano can easily outperform the sound coming from speakers.

I'm not an avid player but I've had both, a digital and an acoustic for awhile. Even though the feel and weight of the keys was very close to an acoustic, the dynamics of the digital just wasn't there. Not even if you turned up the volume to compensate. It sounded great and had great samples but something was still missing. The quietest note to the loudest just did not compare to the real deal. plus the internal resonance of an acoustic adds to the overall sound as well. That's the only complaint I've had with my digital. Just my 2cents.

Anything wrong with having one of each?

Another difference I don't see mentioned much is the difference in perceived size and presence. A digital has a much smaller acoustic "size" that does not project or fill a room as well. It's not just a volume thing, it's the actual physical size of the instrument as we perceive it aurally.

This may not be a consideration for strictly solo, home use, especially if using headphones. However, if you want to accompany vocalists or play with other instruments, it's something to consider.