Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Samick Symphonia SDP-200U, any good? Or a Technics SX-PR602?

I can't find anything about this digital piano online. There's one for sale locally for £100.

There's also a Technics SX-PR602 local that will probably be around the same price.

Does anyone have any information on the Samick? Or which of the two would be a better buy?

Thanks!

Do you really want to buy a 15 year old Technics SX-PR602? If you are not a vintage fan, I guess it is more a funkiller than helpfull.

They're that old?!

I'm on a budget, the cheaper the better but I can stretch to about £300.

Yes, I would recommend avoiding both models. Technics digital pianos were highly regarded years ago, but I doubt even the highest specification models from 10+ years ago can compete with the entry level instruments of today. At least, not in terms of the core keyboard action and piano sound technologies.

My recommendation would be to save for a little longer and purchase a Casio PX-150. Alternatively, you may be able to find a second-hand Casio PX-130 for £300 or so, if you're lucky.

Kind regards,
James
x

A little out of my price range, I can't see a new PX-150 with stand/pedals for under £500!

The Technics is far superior to the Symphonia. If you can, keep looking.

Are there any particular models to look out for, used and within my budget? Thanks

I would stick with the Casio Privia models produced within the past 4 years or so.

However, checking Amazon UK, the Casio CDP-120 is available for just under £300. This is very much an entry-level instrument, with lower specifications than the PX-150. However, it's brand new, has 88 keys, and is within your budget.

Kind regards,
James
x

I disagree with that statement. I still use my 10 year old Technics and while I am currently looking to upgrade to a better DP, there is no way any recent entry model (or atleast one priced at 100 pounds) will be better than the Technics. When I went to try out a few DPs recently, I remember being underwhelmed by the action of many entry to mid range level pianos.

I wouldn't recommend them to OP is he is an advanced player, but if he's a beginner, for 100 pounds that Technics seems like a good deal if its in good condition.

CountSmith, in hindsight, I am actually inclined to agree with you. At £100 or so, the Technics is a considerable instrument for the price, with lots of sounds, features, and a nice big LCD display. Of course, this assumes that everything is still in good working order, of course.

However, I maintain that - at least in terms of keyboard action and sound technology - a modern day entry-level Casio Privia features superior technology to that of a 10~15 year old flagship Technics... and this is coming from someone who spent a lot of time playing Technics keyboards and DPs in his childhood.

Kind regards,
James
x

Well I'll admit I'm biased towards my Technics since it too was my childhood DP . It served me well as a beginner. However, in terms of action and piano sound, I honestly feel that I wouldn't be getting my money's worth by upgrading to a newer DP unless I consider the higher end Kawai, Roland or Yamaha models.

Maybe this video helps to get a first impression: http://bit.ly/1ir1SKQ

The voices sound a bit dated, but in many ways an impressive piano. The second video in that link from Hanseat, was from someone from Norway, selling his Technics SX. He priced it at 4000 norska kroner, about £400. I checked the advertisment on finn.no and it was listed as sold.

I wonder what he got for it, probably not 4000 NOK, but in comparison, £100 is a steal for this thing, provided it's in decent condition.

What about a Casio PX-850, new, £550?

I think you'd be happy with a Casio PX-850. I have the PX-5S, which is a stage piano, pretty much built on the PX-350, but with some enhancements. The latest Privias are pretty good, better than the older Casio models.

PX-850 is good for those who want the feeling of an acoustic piano, with it's nice cabinet and a lid that, by opening it, resembles an acoustic piano, at least that's what they say. I've not played it (think I briefly touched one when I was doing my shopping) so I can't speak about it from experience.

I wanted the socalled bells and whistles, that is extra sounds and tweaking possibilities, so I preferred the PX-5S. Then the portability was very important to me, with the PX-850, you're advised not to take it apart once it has been assembled. So it's not a good choice for those who move often.

The cheapest I could get the PX-850 for was £650 post-cashback in the end, didn't quite seem worth it.

Thanks for the advice - after a month of constant looking about, I picked up an immaculate second hand Casio AP-245 for £250, hardly touched! Very happy, and probably a better choice than spending that sort of money on a top of the range, 10 year old model!

Wow you bought the piano for 50% of it's price.
Probably the best buy ever on that forum, regarding price/quality

Congrats and be happy, give us the photos and videos when you receive it

I have a talent for finding bargains...

After a bit of a fight to make it fit in the car (separated the top from the base) and much rearranging of furniture to fit it in our flat, here it is! 6 months old, hardly used, original paperwork and everything!



And thanks

Wow. I never knew those cheapo Casios came with such a big screen!

why do you have a pink bin for the used clothes?