I saw this on the Psr tutorial post...

"I opened the box and guess what?  Yea, an SX900!  I purchased it via Guitar Center on August 5, with delivery to the house on October 8.  If anyone’s interested, I’m finding it to be a definite upgrade from the S975 in some ways.  The overall build seems more substantial, with the key feel somewhat better----that others have reported.  I was disappointed to find finger prints, or smudges under the lighted screen.  I noticed them before  ever touching the screen.  This is the 3rd Yamaha arranger I’ve had with such finger prints.  Don’t those workers wear gloves?  And, by the way, the touch screen sure shows finger prints after some usage.  My first touch screen ever.  I may prefer the button pushing.  Not sure, as yet.  Love the overall sound.  Much improved speakers, which the PSR line should have had all along.  The styles and voices have a clear, present edge to them.  Many of the same S975 styles seemed to have had some touch-up work.  And some of the styles, have long tail-outs from the auto-endings to simulate real recordings.  I've wished for that a long time.  Of course, there are lots of new styles and voices.  Biggest disappointment thus far is the vocal harmony.  Can’t get it anywhere close to the S975.  It’s probably operator error.  I’m checking compression and everything else, but nothing sounds right.  The harmony vocal only works partially.  Most of the time you can’t hear it, despite good gain settings.  Also, can’t get the concert piano to sound to my liking.  Been fooling with the EQ, master effects and such; but, still not as good as my S975 piano at this point.  Maybe in time.  There are new pages and paths to follow in doing midi recording, which I do a lot.  Some of the editing features very familiar on the S975 have not been doable, as yet, on the SX900.  For example, changing volume levels on various instruments within the midi recording and having the song saved properly.  The resaved result always seems to jump back to the settings of the original recording.  I’ll keep the SX900; but, not giving up the S975."    
J Larry

Donny, I can hear your enjoyment. A new keyboard, nice.

John C.

John.. Not my review lol

Hmmmm ... Maybe I'm not reading it right but there seemed to be at least as much disappointment as there was enjoyment in that review ?!? ...

Wouldn’t be surprised if Guitar Center opened the box and played with the keyboard before shipping it. Both Guitar Center and Musicians Friend are famous for this.
JM

maybe it was a demo model?

That review shares my sentiments of the S975 (and S970) that they are still fantastic keyboards and not too far away from the SX900, in other words, the stuff that they share sounds pretty much the same on both but where the SX900 shines is with it's newer stuff, whether that's worth the upgrade or not is up to you, but they are essentially the same keyboard really.

One thing that the S975 will probably always have exlusive are those audio styles, you can't extract the audio from them and I don't think they'll ever become a free download as if you search Yamaha's online store, to my suprise they are actually for sale at 37.50 for each category which is certainly a rip off I think. But I think because they are for sale possibly means they'll never be a free download, but I'd like tobe proven wrong!!

Thanks!
Having a like new S970, this helps me assess the difference vs cost of upgrade.
Bernie

Interesting mixed review.... is this user from the USA?

And now another review from the PSR forum and also member of SZ Manuel Dorantes


I got my PSR SX900 last night and is awesome sounding!!!!
For your information, the PSR SX900 comes with 4 pre-loaded expansion packs, Africa, Europa, Middle Easter and Latin America ( a mixture of the Mariachi and Cumbia latina, neither complete, only partial, my guess, is that they made an evaluation and sort those like that), well, I made a especial SUPER PACK for installation using the new Yamaha Expansion Manager, and I could not believe my eyes, I put 19 expansion packs complete all with the exception of the Jazz/Swing Audio styles and still have room for 2 or 3 packs, depending on the size.
So far everything I have seen, I love it.

Thanks Donny & Steve! "...And the beat goes on..."

Here is some unsolicited advice from a killjoy for all those considering a SX900. The SX900 is not going to be a "night and day" difference over the old PSR-975. Let's look at the evidence.

SX900 has a better screen which is a nice upgrade if you want and need it. SX900 has a chord looper. Some pros, like Diki, tout this as a fantastic feature and it seems to be getting a lot of press. I have one on my PA900 and never use it-it's too fiddley. Your mileage may vary.

SX900 has better drums (no Revo) which are nice. But you lose audio drums-some don't care and you may be able to load them in the SX900. SX900 has better output options if you need them. SX900 has same old harmony as PSR-975. SX900 has new Playlist but it still is just a list of registrations although it may be an improvement over the old system. Sounds-very little difference. There is a video somewhere that shows a guy comparing a Tyros 5 to a 970 (I believe it was) using the 970 speakers for both. Difference? Almost undetectable.

There is a law of diminishing returns. So is the SX900 worth $600 or whatever the difference is over the 975? That is up to each individual. Diki is getting one I believe because he wants the chord looper and Roland is not making arrangers (yet) that are comparable to his current BK-9. That is a valid reason. Another valid reason is if you want the new touch screen and OS and are willing and able to pay for it. Another valid reason is you are rich and not worried about the money.

Don't think I have not succumbed to the "new keyboard fever." I am still mad at myself for spending what I did on m PA900 (in my situation as a home "dabbler"). I could have bought a guitar that would have lasted me for the rest of my life with that money. But the keyboard will either be obsolete or quit working before then. I probably should have bought a used BK5 and suffered with the screen.

But my point is-buy the SX900 if you have a valid reason as I have defined "valid" above. But if you do buy it, don't expect a "night and day" difference over your old board or you will be disappointed.

The key feel is enough to make a night and day difference for me. Up to now, there was NO psr series that I could stand to play, regardless of sound, or features.
So, add the touch screen, and it's a no brainer for me.

And you're a pro, so you don't really need to justify it. As well as you play and sing you should have whatever you want. My post is really directed to home hobby guys (like myself) who shouldn't be spending this kind of money and are caught up in the hype.

Thanks for the kind words, but even a casual player will appreciate the longer keystroke, and more solid feel. It adds to expression. I have high hopes for this board. As much as I love my PA4x, the silent slab approach (no speakers) has always been hard for me. It's not awful, but it's a bigger adjustment with speaker/monitor placement. Having on board speakers in my face mean that I can use one or two S1s in the best position for the room, and not compromise on my sweet spot.

Personally I sought of like it (Sx900)...but when I keep comparing the features against what I now need an arranger for I am tossed between the SX900, Genos, & my third KORG Pa4x......I am glad I have the time via my pre order before it arrives in mid NOV when it comes to decide or I might just say the heck with it and go another way with one
of the 3 mentioned that would work better for my needs going forward.
we'll see..

Yes, I forgot about the improved keys and the speakers in my analysis.

also the SX900 does not have audio style capability I've read?

How do you mean?

The SX900 doesn't have any built in, but it does play them.

I've got the T5 to Genos ones loaded into memory and they sound fantastic.

I though I had read that somewhere.....thank you Fran for setting the record straight on audio style play ability on SX900.....
I apologize for the misinformation and stand corrected..

You also forgot to mention joy stick which is day and night for me as well as professional audio out.
This puts the whole sound in a different category.
Made a huge difference in my Genos.
Eric

I hope to demo one in the next month or so maybe even sooner. For me the better keys, the touch screen, assignable buttons and the playlist feature are enough for me. I’ve had quite a few arrangers and I’m not that naive to think this will be a revolution in sound from Yamaha, besides it’s just fun to reward ourselves with something new, I don’t drink, smoke, gamble or womanize I need some kind of vice

Hi Stephen,
I tend to think its wise to demo one beforehand , if possible . Everyone seems to have different needs. What might be a deal breaker for one person, may not be for someone else.

Personally I was just hoping it would prove to be a bit better than my psr s950. Definitely is that. Better key feel, better speakers, more balanced styles. Scat voices. Touch screen.. Plus all the other goodies, chord looper, reset style button. Audio functions. Haven’t even started to explore these yet. And basically how good some of the older styles sound.

Rikki,

I’m one of the lucky customers of FrankieV at Audioworks Ct. He’s less than a 2 hour ride from home. I started visiting his store somewhere around 2006 and always tried before I bought. I may have left his store once without buying the same day and that was only because I had to sell my Pa3x first to help pay for the Pa4x.

I’m glad to hear it is proving to be a bit better than the s950.

Well, I wasn't targeting you with my advice Stephen, I KNOW you're rich.

That’s something I really miss about the city life, being able to just drop into a store and check things out. I used to have a 5 minute drive from one of the biggest pro stores in Sydney. Still a customer of theirs after 30 years, now it’s 3 hours each way. Haha. ( actually not laughing, I’m crying)