That is a difficult question Mike.
I don't know if the USB problem has been corrected on current shipping Tyros'. Somebody else may know for certain one way or the other.
Yamaha Europe was the first to find a workable solution to the USB problem which they provided to Yamaha U.S. I would think Yamaha Japan knows all of the details about the fix and they're "probably" sticking the new modified USB boards into current Tyros' being built. The only problem I would be concerned about is if you get a Tyros that has been stuck in a Warehouse somewhere and is of the old stock.
One way to determine if a Tyros is new stock is to verify the serial numbers with Yamaha. They should have exact figures when the new stock with the fix started shipping along with corresponding serial numbers.
>> The Vocal Harmonizer is another story.
Yamaha has apparently not confirmed or acknowledged that there is any Vocal Harmonizer problem with the Tyros. If that is the case then most likely they have not taken any steps in correcting it since in their eyes it is a "non-issue". Even though many people are reporting there is a problem with the Tyros' VH. PS: If you read my recent thread and most recent post about the Vocal Harmonizer on the Tyros you know that I resolved my Tyros' VH problem. Turning off the Mic Effects when using the Vocal Harmonizer did it in my case.
I know this sounds a little pretentious but you may want to forego getting the Tyros and opting instead to get the new Tyros II when it comes out. I think Yamaha is putting their nose to the grindstone on the new Tyros II which will be forthcoming I believe sometime in 2005. Look to see a brand new Vocal Harmonizer processor chip and new technology that will rival many external units on the market today. Look for the Tyros II to have a solid USB interface with the facility to accept USB Storage Devices like the new PSR 3000 does, such as Thumb Drives, Micro Drives, USB Hard Drives, etc. Plus it more than likely will also have a Smart Media slot. There may even still be the option to add an internal Hard Drive. I hope there is.
Bigger, i.e. (availability of a 76 Key version: "let's keep our fingers crossed on that one"
) - better, stronger, i.e. more powerful, and more capable. Look for those qualities in the new Tyros II. I for one am expecting great things from Yamaha concerning the Tyros II.
But you may have to pay upwards of $500 dollars or possibly more for the Tyros II over the current Tyros. So that is something to consider likewise.
Best regards,
Mike