I am an advanced amateur classical player looking to replace my Clavinova CLP-170 with something new (a lot has changed since this model came out).

I'm starting the hunt soon am looking for recommendations for what I should try out in particular.

The price point is flexible but would not exceed the price of a small acoustic grand (or large acoustic upright).

you are not very specific on your demands. So I only can extrapolate from my experience and that says clearly, no more sampling. I would try to go with the viscount physis with physical modelling, which is affordable for me compared to rolands v-class. If, however you have some acoustic preferences, that should be mapped to the DP, you could tell us.

Then why not go for a small acoustic grand?

I would if I could but I'm constrained by my living situation to a digital.

Desiderata:

- action - close as possible to a grand action
- sound - obviously as close as can be to a real piano sound
- expression - an instrument that allows for as much subtlety of expression as possible (dynamics, pedalling, etc.)

Thanks for mentioning the physical modelling keyboards. I've recently heard about the Roland V-Piano and would like to try them out as well as the Viscount Physis (assuming I can find one).

yamaha cp1 or cp5 ?

I have never seen, nor would I have any idea where to go to try a Physis. In many markets, a V-Piano is hard to find for demonstration. It's cool that it exists, but I am confused that the Physis is a first recommendation. I've also not seen any feedback about the action yet. The better Fatar actions are often considered good, but not elite.

Let's go more basic in questions that lead to specific instruments.

Max budget...$8k+, $5k, $3k, $2k or under?
Console or Portable?
Headphones: Always, Sometimes or Never?

Since real pianos do not have just one sound...
What have you played more recently that you liked?
What do you like/dislike about your current instrument?

We need details. This forum helps those who help themselves.

Sorry that the original question was too vague.

$8k max
Console
Headphones - sometimes

Pianos I like - well, this is subjective and hard to pin down since I haven't played any really nice ones for an extended period of time. Steinway (most recently played on a 9 ft concert grand so how can it not sound good?), I like Bosendorfer and Fazioli (only played these in a piano showroom). I also like Schimmel, Estonia and larger Yamahas and Kawais. I used to own a U1 a long time ago and felt it was a great practice instrument.

My current instrument is old by DP standards and probably what I dislike the most now is the action which has become too soft. It is limited in dynamic contrast and ultimately the piano sound is disappointing. I'm sure with technological advances the current generation of DPs must sound better now. The main strength of it of course is that I can practice at any time.

You might be disappointed with the new pianos. They're scarcely better than your old one.

Contrary to you assumption, there is very, very little tech advancement in the newer pianos. Very little.

Sounds to me like you might want to focus on getting a keyboard with the best action possible and forget about its internal sounds. A Yamaha N-1 would seem to be the most authentic GP action available and it's in your price range. N-2/N-3 may not be. Then use a software piano. That's where the most progress has been made in digital piano's and the most authentic piano sounds will be found. The Vintage D is really hard to beat for Steinway accuracy. It is highly regarded here for good reason. A second choice would be the Ivory II American Concert D.

Yes, definitely try out the Yamaha Avant Grands then.
Compare with Kawai CA 65/95 (with headphones CA65 is as good as CA95, as the main difference is the wooden soundboard) and Roland V.