I was told that the PSR-1000 has 8 mbs of sound, as does the PSR-550.. However the 550 has less sounds to the megs as the 1000 does.. Is it safe to assume the PSR-1000 would sound almost identical to the PSR-550 in terms of sound quality? Is the price difference based primarily on the new internal memory for recording, screen, new look, and a few other things?

Squeak

I owned PSR550 for a week and then purchased the PSR1000.

The sounds coming out of the onboard speaker is warmer on the PSR1000. This is clearly noticeable when you play it side by side.

Also, the keyboard layout and looks is much better on the PSR1000.

Squeak ,

The PSR550 is only missing some of the sound effects that are in the XG bank .

The PSR1000 does offer the better screen + 4 variations .

dano

Lukitoh,
I figured the speaker set up of the PSR-1000 would be the primary reason for better sound quality.. Maybe one day Yamaha will release a new model of the 550 with tweeters that actually work and aren't just for show... That's why I don't like to use them.. I use Roland Monitor speakers for my set up.. However I figured the two boards were pretty close to the same quality.. I'd like to have both side by side running through my Rolands so that I can listen to them... Oh well looks like any keyboard is WAY in the future for me.. I'm not even thinking of mentioning another keyboard to my wife.. After buying the Lincoln I think she's pretty much shut me off for a long time...

Squeak

Squeak,
PSR1000 is only $100-200 difference from PSR550.

It is WAY better than 550 in all respects.

-Variations 4
-Registrations (Instant) 8 without switching banks
-Warmer internal speakers
-Better logistics and looks that makes you want to spend more time on it.

In terms of sounds after it's been amplified: well, I think it's going to be quite close although I cannot verify this for sure.

I can't do the actual comparison for you Squeak because I have very little playing time on a 550, but as you know I had the 740 and replaced it with the 2000. ( I also had a 530 before that. ) While my 2000 was away for repair I had a loaner 1000 for a few weeks. A lot of the sounds were similar on the 740, 2000, and 1000. There were noticable improvements on the guitar sounds of the 2000 / 1000 over the 740, but by and large the majority of sounds were pretty close when played through a similar sound system. The 2000 / 1000 had better sounding speakers. The 2000 shined over the 740 in the features area. Much better sequencer, better effects and control over them, and basic sound editing capabilities ( there were none on the 2000 ). The three boards' capabilities, when hooked up to my sound system and my computer ( using XG works ) were similar, but the huge advantage was that I could do nearly all of the same editing away from the computer with the 1000 / 2000. With the 740 I had to be hooked into XG works. I also thionk the harmonizer was a lot better on the 2000 than the 740.

It doesn't quite answer your question, but if we wanted to say that the 550 is close in quality to a 740, ( and a big improvement over the 530 ) then I would also say that the 2000 / 1000 are an improvement over the 740 / 550.

PSR550 is $500 - $549 U.S.
PSR1000 $900 U.S.
Difference $350 -> $400.
I consider that to be a big difference.

I completely understand the difference in price between the two and I also know how they differ with style variations and so forth.. I'm just talking about the sound quality in general.. I know cosmetically, and feature wise the PSR-1000 is a much better keyboard...

Squeak

PSR1000 can be had for about $750.00 with free shipping and free survival pack at Music123.com

PSR550 can be had for about $550.00 I think depending on where you buy them.

So $200 difference is not worth to get an inferior keyboard.

Squeak,
Which one do you spent more time on ?
Which one do you love spending time on ?

Life is too short to be playing inferior keyboard especially if that's your hobby.

You might think of accepting UD offer for 18k for your Lincoln and get another NICE car and getting the ultimate keyboard like GENESYS or something like that. You may be a happy camper for the next 5 years.

Whatever it is, I suggest a keyboard that HAS speaker built in or easily installed like the TYROS.