Piano Recommendation

Hello everyone,

New guy here, I have been reading the forums to narrow my choices down, and it's been very informative!

Here's my background: I have been classically trained, I was training in ARCT performer diploma when I gave it up for university, more school and then more school. It's been more than 10 years since I did any practice.

Now I'm trying to get back into it, and I'm looking into digital pianos mainly for private practice as I live in an apartment - at some point in the future I will likely also purchase an acoustic. But in the meanwhile I would like it to feel as authentic as possible. My goal is to try to regain some of my prior technical skills as well as hobby playing. I'm currently practicing on an old Yamaha P80 and it kinda sucks.
I also would like it to look like an acoustic piano to fit the decor.

Price range around $5000-6000 CAD

I've narrowed it down to a 3 choices - would like your opinion:

Roland LX-15 (the only one I was able to try out of the three) - the sound is great, keyboard feels ok, but there's a thump at the end of the key press which is really annoying. I wonder if it gets better with use?

Kawai CA93 or CA63 - First of all, is there a difference between the two, except the soundboard? How do they feel?

Yamaha NU1 - In theory, it sounds ideal, but I can't find any retailers who has it... so I've almost scratched it off the list. I've tried their other digital lines, and the touch just didn't feel very good to me.

Thanks for your help, hope to be back to play

No, it doesn't.



In terms of action, CA93 has let-off (escapement) simulation, CA63 does not. These models are now both replaced by CA65/95 respectivelly.

In this group, I'd seriously consider the NU1. Or one of the new Kawais (CA65/95). For playing with headphones, the CA65 is as good as the 95.

Thanks. I'm going to test out the ca93/63 this week. I don't think they have the 95 or 65 yet, but if I like the 93, I'll see if they can order it for me.

How much should I expect to pay?

I would really love to try the NU1 but no one in a reasonable area has it on demo. (Or even the avantgarde series)

I just purchased the CA95! Excited!! Played at the vendor for a couple of hours.
Piano key action and touch feels really authentic and lovely. The finish on the keys (especially the black notes) and the cabinet is kinda cheap looking but the most important thing for me was how the key actions felt.
I was thinking about the CA65, but the soundboard made a surprisingly HUGE difference, I didn't think it would. Without the headphones, I could feel the vibrations in my fingers especially in the lower registers.

Good part is that the vendor will give me a guaranteed 70% exchange within 5 years to an acoustic (when I finally have a house)

Don't get too excited about the "70% exchange" policy. Anybody can walk in to a dealer and negotiate the price of a piano.

chickenlump, congrats on the purchase of your CA95!

Please don't let Mac's natural optimism dampen your spirit.

Kind regards,
James
x

Think twice before trading in your digital. It can be good to have both. Silent practice with headphones and getting accustomed to two different touches may be worth more than the 70% after 5 years of inflation.