3k...& dont look back

Hi Don.

Congrats for your short and perfect comment.

Chico

Between the two choices, I'd go with the PSR3k. Don't limit yourself to only two choices, check out the Korg PA60 and PA50 as well as the Roland VA series, they're less or in the same price range as the PSR3k and have some features that the PSR3k doesn't have that may interest you.

Synthguy,
There were many features about the PA80 which I liked, including sounds (especially drums). However, there is quite a learning curve and quite a lot of setting up to make the Korg do what you want.
For a newcomer to arraners, the 3K, imo, would be far easier to setup, learn and play right away.
DonM

I agree with Don, Gary Scott, Dnj, etc....the Yamaha PSR 3000 is not just matter of features & sounds per $, but also user friendly and one often overlook matter, support, like PSR tutorials, Scotts web site, and here, all the 3000 users,so...Ditto.

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mdorantes

I bought a KN2600 when it came out as a back-up. The worst move I have ever made keyboard wise.. It has only one advantage over the PSR3000 and that is the SD card which will have a much longer life than that which Yamaha uses. My advice , like every one elses, is don't touch it with a bargepole.
Your dealer is just trying to get rid of dead stock.

Trevor

buy psr 3k and you will not need to update say 3 yrs.other gear FD based(swapping)will start to bother you when you start to gig.(also VH and weight,3rd party style support and so on)without a question PSR 3k is the king for arrangers under 2000$.

Most certainly the PSR3000 vs the KN2600

However I do disagree a little with Don when he said
"Technics no longer makes keyboards and the KN technology is several years old now"

The KN2600 is a little brother of the KN7000, both were one of the first to have SD Card capapblity, and the power to play mp3's via Jukebox software conversion. This is rather high tech, and quite amazing to boot.

Let us not confuse the fact because of Technics demise, that they made inferior keyboards. Quite the contrary, they were ahead of the times in many aspects, and made outstanding keyboards. I still have a KN3000, now almost 10 years old, and I'm still amazed at the quality and the amount of technology for a board this old. If anything I would say that Technics strived to be ahead of the times.

What I do not like about Technics is that recorded songs are saved in Technics Format, and the resulting file is not compatible with lower end keyboards. Songs recorded on a Yamaha are saved as midis and will play on almost anything. However, the Technics has a powerful 16 track sequencer, which allows one to edit songs much more so then Yamaha. Many PSR'S have Vocal Harmony(including the 3000)while the Technics mic was..well ...bad. Trade offs in all keyboards.

So again, easy call.. the PSR3000 is newer, and Yamaha is here to stay, while Technics is now gone.

Now a bigger a question would be the KN7000 vs the PSR3000. Tough choice. Mine would again be the PSR3000, but, man the KN7000 is really good !

Larry Hawk

Hi Larry, surprisingly enough, I would choose the KN7000 over the PSR3000 without blinking an eye, but then again, I ALREADY own a Yamaha keyboard, the Tyros . The KN7000 is truly an amazing keyboard especially if you're into realistic sounding acoustic instruments & swing, jazz & big band. I actually prefer the KN7000's Steinway acoustic Grand sample over the Yamaha acoustic Grand sample on the PSR3000 and Tyros. Technics keyboards also include the BEST "full keyboard mode" chord recognition (including rootless jazz chords) as well. On Yamaha keyboards you're limited to split mode (left hand voicings) to play pro sounding jazz chords. Another advantage of Technics keyboards which I miss on the Yamaha (and other arrangers) is Technics very cool 'Technics format' sequencer feature which allows you to easily step insert, audition, change, and then remove if desired, arranger functions (intros, fills, endings, instr voice changes, etc) in a recorded song file without having to go into midi. This makes for a very flexible method of sequencing not possible recording when recording straight to midi.

I still prefer the Tyros in many ways (one of which is mandatory for me as a vocal entertainer: its far superior sounding vocal harmonizer), but If I could own a second arranger keyboard right now, and could get it at a BARGAIN price, I'd probably choose a used KN7000, 'even if' Technics is no longer in business.

Scott

I was a long-time Technics user too, starting with KN800, 1000, 2000 and 5000. I switched when the other companies brought out the microphone and harmonizer features.
KN2000 was one of the all-time great arrangers, and was indeed ahead of it's time.
DonM