I played both keyboards and the VA5 won hands down. The PSR2100 sucked for the following reasons.

1. Crappy Key feel
2. Key size looks like a cheap casio
3. Drums are no match for VA5
4. Choir voices no match for VA5
5. The biggest downfall...The Styles SUCK.
Roland styles are far richer...
6. PSR2100 has great sounds but so does the
VA5.

RolandFan,

Have you tried Genesys? How about Tyros?

I havent tried those 2 boards. They are not available in my country. Those 2 keyboards are probably double the price of a PSR2100/VA5....which is out of my budget. From the demos I've heard of the Tyros its (in my opinion) the first Yammy that has good styles.

RolandFan,

Guess what these two keyboards are not even available on display in many major cities of the USA.

I was unable to find a price on the VA-5, but I would think that the VA-5 is much more expensive then the PSR2100. Are you comparing keyboards at the same price point?
Starkeeper

Hey Rolandfan,

Have you ever played a psr2000 or 2100, or are you basing your statement upon statements made by others? If you like the Tyros styles, and you claim they sounded great from the demos you heard, then you must also like the 2100 styles as well, mainly because many of them, IMHO, are nearly identical. I've only played the VA-5 once, and from my perspective as a performer, the navigation was lousy, the keys were sluggish, the drums were just OK--not fantastic, and the styles were lacking a lot of punch. Personally, I'll stick with the 2000 or 2100, and from what I'm reading at many forums and hearing from individual performers as well, they feel the same way.

Cheers,

Gary

The one thing I learnt about the VA5 is that navigation does get better once u get used to it. I have played the PSR2000 about 4 times and a PSR2100 once. I had the option of going for a PSR2000 which was priced at $2100 or a demo model VA5 which was on sale at $1650. Another thing I could never get used to on the Yammy is the wheel bender. I feel greater control using a joystick pitch bender. The PSR2000/2100 have got great sounds no doubt but to my ear there is no comparison to the VA5 styles.....I was put off buying the PSR2000 after reading about the poor build quality and the number of problems people from these boards have had with it. Ironically I would have bought the PSR2000 if this VA5 was not marked down cos here in South Africa a new VA5 would be over $2500. The only thing I regret is not having the 500 + zip disk styles that come with the VA7

I actually sat down and played VA-7 for couple hours. And next to it was PSR2000.

I got frustrated by VA-7 and give up. Without hesitation I made up my mind that PSR2000 is frustration free. Also, the cheesy feel of the keyboard in PSR2000 can be overcome once you get used to it.

Wow! Those prices are through the roof. The 2100 is half that in Philly.

Hi Uncle DAve,
Rolandfan has the same problem where he lives as I do in Australia. Currency exchange rate. It doesn't help when you're currency is valued at only 65 cents to the USD. Tyros & KN7's suggested retail is just under $7,000 AUD. Though fortunately most shops will discount.

best wishes
Rikki