Calgary, Canada, August 2004 - I've just had the opportunity to play a CVP307 for several days (about 30 hours). You are right! The piano sound is great!

Yamaha has added the new technology currently available in the CLP170/175. The “iAFC” feature uses the interaction of sound projected from rear and front facing speakers to enhance and enable one to customize the audio image. You will appreciate the quality of the new instrument samples using Yamaha's Advance Wave Memory and Dynamic Stereo Sampling. This in now applied more extensively to the CVP series.

If you like the Tyros, you will be blown away with how well the same features have been applied to CVP. The Tyros is Yamaha’s first generation to have "Fully Produced" accompaniments (as explained to me recently). The success of the Tyros has convinced Yamaha to invest in producing the CVP accompaniments to studio quality post- production levels. These include more realistic phrasing, rhythm dynamics and melodic content. They even have an international manager, Martin Harris, responsible for all of this content.

I love the MEGA voice technology in Tyros! It is the same, but even better on the CVP. Try "Corrina, Corrina" Clapton style using the “Unplugged 1 or 2” styles, even “Med Worship”! You'll love it too! Real improvements have been made in other styles such as Gospel, Worship and International styles. I particularly like the new Oktoberfest Polka acoustic style. Try ”Roll Out the Barrel”!

I was impressed with the use of an extra, USB to Device Port, that allowed me to move my memory stick files in and out of memory and conveniently to my computer. A USB floppy drive was included which allows me to use my old Eseq and DOC disks from the 80' and 90's. There is even an optical port to send digital audio out to a CD burner or to a computer. Although I didn't use the Internet capability, I saw the use of a wireless "dongle" on this port to communicate with a wireless router to bring songs onboard from Yamaha's support site. Really neat!

The CVP 309 uses a new wooden key design. The older design on the CVP900 might be considered by some to be overbuilt and clunky. This new one is a great improvement and quieter. In the past the guts of a lower model was used as the heart of the "Grand Piano” style unit, as well as a preceding generation i.e. 207/208 for the CVP900. This time Yamaha has chosen to put the current and best content in the new CVP309GP.

What causes me concern? The "Slow-fall" key cover doesn't have a positive stop in the deployed position, seeming to rely upon the hinge mechanism. This could be a weak point. The key cover/display lays quite flat, perhaps to clear page turning on the music rest. I found using a soda can placed behind the key cover helped to change the screen angle to reduce glare from ceiling lights.

Although the specs are the same for the audio systems in the CLP170 and the CVP307, the CVP seems to lack the bass power of the other. This might just be me, but check it out.

I have owned CVP65, CVP79, PDP400, P80 and DGT7 and other Yamaha pianos. As good as they are none created the excitement I feel for these new units. If you are looking at any kind of a piano, traditional or digital, you need to include these on your list. Happy playing!

John Wright