I know you all have probably been asked this a million times but here it is: What is the best 88 key, best piano sound, best piano feel but with out the piano space keyboard out there to date? I throw myself to the synth gods....

Yamaha P80 - NO contest!

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Uncle Dave

This high recomendation of Yamaha P80 by you and others has been a bit puzzeling for me.
1)The keyboard seems too stiff.
2)The higher notes seem too jingling-like a
good copy of a cheap upright piano sound.
3)The bass notes sound a little bit electronic.
4)I think the different notes are at different volumes-which is not a good thing.
So I really can't understand how a classical pianist could have any satisfaction from such a thing.
The p-80 has recently been available here in Israel, and I actually went to see it with intention of buying. But it also costs around $1600 after tax etc.(not like in America)
I can hardley imagine that the FP-9 of Roland would not be much better.But I have seen it myself. But I have seen some other Roland pianos which are clearly better than the Yamaha, I think the HP 335 of Roland though non portable is certainly better than the p-80 of Yamaha in most or all aspects, but is cheaper than the FP 9 which I was sure was better than the HP 335.
But best of all is surely the great KR 575.
If anything exists in portable form which is anything like the non-portable KR 575, then I can't imagine what anyone would want from the P-80
Maybe the FP 9 is!?

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I can see what both of you mean. I know this is a Roland discussion and I use to be a Roland user exclusive. But I have found that the Alesis 8 and 8.1 has a very good Piano tone along with being a great controler workstation. So far the only dislike would be that the feel is more keyboardish but with a more weighted feel.
Your thoughts....

I was really focussing on uncle Dave, But to tell you from what I understand-you MUST check out Rolands FP 9. It's a little expensive, but I understand it is very special.(portable)
If you can allow yourself the space of a small encased upright piano, then even much better still might be Rolands kr575-if they have that model near you. I went crazy over the two piano tones (with their variations)
and the perfect touch(of kr575). I think it is the nearest you can get to a superb concert Steinway, and the other tone-like a Bechshtein (I think).
It is also a great synth-which I don't know too much about-but that is one reason why it is a bit expensive.
I myself am trying to buy the last model in Israel before it is sold. I just have to find some creative way how to pay for it. I might in fact miss it-hope not.
I have a post here a few items below asking what other people think, and if they agree with me. I don't see many replies yet.
There may be different models which are similar-but available in different places.
Only Roland? well I've heard from various experts or semi-experts, and it seems that Rolands are one of the best, and certainly best value for money. And that Yamaha is not so great for piano.
I tried out a p-80, and it looks to me-like what I've heard about Yamaha in general. Maybe it's better than the others!
The price is certainly not bad.
The only other Yamaha I tried was the lovely synth grand. It's very nice but extremely expensive, and big. The KR575 is almost half the price and seems better also
in many ways. That's my 2 cents.
Good luck!

If money isn't the issue get yourselve a
Kurzweil K 2600X Then you have it all!
Fred

Don't forget about the Roland RD-600, which to me has the closest feel and sounds in it's class of an acoutic piano. It was specifically designed for acoustic keyboardists. I'm trading mine in only because I want more synth-sounds, which are lacking on the RD.

This type of discussion will always leave room for personal taste. Part of my affection for the P80 includes the price, size, weight, feel, etc...... it's the whole package. As for the K2600 - I'm NOT a fan. The RD600 seems a little dated to me. In the acoustic world....which is better:
Steinway or Bosendorffer ?
Shimmel or Baldwin?
No one can answer these questions because there are too many acoustic properties that will vary from piece to piece. That is why each manufacturer tries to get as many of the fine nuances as they can. Take all of our suggestions, and formulate your own opinion. The best tool is your ears - use 'em!

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Uncle Dave

Personally I fell in love with the Korg SP-100 the first time I tapped a key, it was just so ideal for me. Like it wasn't quite as heavy as a true piano, but it had expressive weight, which I find important, it didn't spring, but it bounced back just fast enough <>. Somehoe I gotta get £699...
Al

If you are interested in piano sounds only... with a few organs, strings and choirs, go with a stage piano, not a full-blown synth. A stage piano will most likely be a little cheaper and will concentrate more on the piano sound and feel than an ordinary synth will. Try the Korg SG ProX. Also the before mentioned FP-9 and P-80. Also if you're not interested in it being portable... look into a digital piano. They have some great sounds and are probably the closest you can get to a piano.

Kawai. something from the Concert Performer series. Perfect feel, Immaculate sound. Can't beat it.

Speaking of Kawai, have you checked out this wacky one? http://www.kawaius.com/mp9000.htm
It houses true hammer action...the hammer is what triggers the note. Great for keyboards...I would think it would sucks as a master controller since it won't allow after touch. Still...if it is piano you are looking for...it may be an option.