CVP 309 vs Roland KR-7?

[pslawing]

I just got back from trying out Digitals, I was all ready to purchase a CVP 307 or 309 and happened to sit down at a Roland KR-7. The piano sound at the Roland was awesome and very impressive, much better to my ear than the Yamaha's. I think the CVP's had better electronics, but if your buying a digital for the piano sound, I would have to go with the Roland.
Any one have any experience with the Roland?

[jimbuist]

Peggy,

This may not be completely fair because I am rather biased. But I don't think I could ever buy a Roland. I'll admit that they have improved their products dramatically. But, those that I have played just don't seem to operate as easily as the competitive Yamaha Clavinova or the now discontinued Technics. Plus, in my opinion, the Yamaha's sound awesome.

I will also admit this, I think that the Clavinova's are less user friendly than the Technics I used to play and they probably lean towards the complexity of the Roland. However, the Clavinova still seems more straight forward to use.

FYI, I play a Roland at the church I work at (they purchased it before I arrived on the scene). I also used to sell against Roland when I sold Yamaha, Technics, and Kurzweil digitals back in the early to mid '90's. Things have definitely changed a lot since then. However, the thing that hasn't changed is that the Roland's are more difficult to "set up" when playing a song. I just find that the Roland's seem to have some quirky ways of operating.

However, with all that I said above, I will also add this important part. When buying a piano, the two most important parts of the decision, assuming that you are comparing well manufactured products like Yamaha and Roland, are 1) the sound and 2) the feel of the keyboard. The bottom line is that YOU have to like the sound because that will never change and you won't get "used to it". The feel, on the other hand, is something that you'll adapt to as long as it's reasonable to begin with. The third thing that you absolutely must consider when buying an ensemble digital piano like you've looked at in the CVP's and Roland KR series are the ensemble functions (rhythms, background accompaniments, other sounds that you'll use for melody, etc). Again, if you don't like those to begin with, you'll definitely not like them later.

All that said, keep in mind that once you get which ever piano you decide on into your home, you'll have no others to compare it to. So, it will be the best one in the house! Plus, if you go with the Clavinova, you'll have this great site to use to help you gain more knowledge. I've looked for a site like this for the Rolands (because of the one I have to play at church) but can't find one.

I hope this may help a little. However, I realize that it may just add to your confusion. I'm definitely a Yamaha man and would love to see you go in that direction.

Jim

[caspar]

Hi,

I've just bought me a CVP 305. At the time of purchase I could also buy an KR-7 occasion (for the same price). Because I had a Roland KR-177 before (like the KR-3), I doubted.
But when you buy a piano you have to see the whole package. Not only the piano-sound. Perhaps it's right that the pianosound of the Roland is somewhat better. But thats also a personal taste.

But If you buy this type of piano you will play it more often with accompaniment than without I think. Otherwise it's better to buy a CLP...
To play the piano with accompaniment, the pianosound must be well integrated with other instruments. And that's what I like of the CVP's: all the instrument-sounds are very well balanced. Also the programming of the accompaniments are much better than the Rolands. They are more lively. I'd played the KR-177 for some years and I was very bored with it's accompaniment. The new KR serie has no real changes for me...

Another BIG difference of Yamaha is the information that you can get on the internet. To find new styles for my KR-177 was very difficult. But for my CVP I find hunderds in a short time. Also you can use voices and styles from the very active TYROS-users! If you don't want te be bored within a year, buy a CVP!

I hope this information will help you a bit...

caspar

[pslawing]

Thank you guys for the excellent input. All your points are well taken, I agree with all.
Thanks for the advice. Support means a lot with a purchase of this size.
Peggy

[Andreas]

Hi Peggy,

I must agree very much to all what was said before here concerning your question. Roland digital pianos cannot compete with Yamahas CLP or CVP if you´re looking for the CLP150/CVP305, 170/307, 175/309. The pianosamples and the touch, the keybooard and everything else in a yamaha digital comes from a 100years pianofacturing experience. Believe me, I often thought, oh yes, it could be a roland, but everytime I got back to Yamaha. I have a Yamaha upright piano also, I had a P250 stagepiano before my CVP307 and made comparison with Rolands RD700 and other Rolands.
With all the panelvoices you get in the CVP plus the stylesection you won´t find a better instrument.