My curiosity has been peeked by this expensive beauty and I haven't been able to find out much beyond the typical Yamaha propaganda here:
http://www.yamahaclavinova.com/cvp/cvp_feat_200/cvp900fe.htm#dss

But 256 notes of polyphony! Color display screen. And the rest of the features/specs look really nice for a 250 lb. home arranger. And I have just the right spot for it in my living room! It was debuted at Winter Namm this past year and I've heard that the MSRP is around $12k. Anyone know more?

Here's a little more info on the CVP 900:

Finished in Black Polish
Hammer action keyboard
Huge graphical colour display (640x480 dpi)
Vocal Harmony & Vocal Cue Time
Learning and studying functions
Music Finder with 1446 songs
Sound Board Reverb
Sustain-sample
Key-Off sample
390 sounds + 480 XG-voices + 26 Drum kits
4 MB FlashRom Song, Style and registrationmemory
Floppy drive
230 Styles
2 Headphones-connectors
2 x (16 cm + 5 cm + 3 cm) speakers
2 x 60 Watt

Based upon the technology of the CVP-209, the CVP-900 offers more high-grade features. Look forward to the most noble and high-class Clavinova of all times. The exceptional wooden graded Hammer effect keyboard is giving it that special touch. With its black polished finish and grand piano design, the CVP-900 is a highlight for a sophisticated atmosphere.

The price tag is roughly $6,750; although higher or maybe even lower depending on where you purchase it.

It is considered the The Rolls-Royce amongst the Clavinovas !

Yes, it does have 256 note Polyphony! But it has also been attested to that the CVP 209, which also has 256 note Polyphony, DOES have the same type 'note drop off' problem that lesser Polyphony Arrangers have. Again, that is not to say that the CVP 900 will have the same problem but the problem with the CVP 209 should be mentioned so people realize that the CVP 900 could have problems with note drop off too.

Apparently it is the way Yamaha allocates the Polyphony on their Arrangers that makes them "High Risk" for note drop off .

On a positive note: Jim, that CVP 900 would sure look great out at Hilton Head if you ask me. It would sure be the center piece and the cats meow to look at. And did you notice those 60WX2 speakers? Volume should be NO problemo amigo. If you ask me you should start saving your dough now.

Best regards,
Mike

256 note poly is for Mono- Yamaha has a wierd way of allocating Polyphony- if you use the stereo Grand sample it is 128 note polyphony. Marketing......

I guess Yamaha didn't want to give arranger users their best sounds and keyboard. The CLP-990 has a 90MB piano with per-note sampling with 5-way velocity switching against maybe 3-way for the CVP-900. The CLP keyboard has 8 gradations instead of 6 for the CVP(if memory serves me right).

I have now heard that the CVP-900 has two independent 128-voice boards, one of which is dedicated to the acoustic piano sound. That makes sense. It would be like my 9000 Pro where I've installed a 64-voice piano expansion card to compliment the keyboard's base 128-note polyphony. I've also heard that the markup on home instruments is very high and that it's possible to find one of these for under $7k if I shop around. Don't know if I'm in the market for one unless I get to play it first though - it's too big to return!

[This message has been edited by The Pro (edited 08-05-2003).]