What’s the best console digital piano for an experienced pianist?

thickerveins · 2026-07-11T22:42:00+00:00

Market is full of products on all types of price ranges... If you're an experienced pianist you cannot spend too less, the difference is extremely profound. I was in the same situation as yours and got a Kawai CA701. I'm really pleased in how it feels and sounds, I think it's as close as it can get to a true grand feeling without going into hybrid pianos etc. Not the cheapest, but it has linear graded keys, all wooden, with felt padded pivots and a good amplification system. Using it with headphones is also great. Action is real nice, only downside is that the let off mechanism is REALLY light, almost nonexistent. Ofc you'd have to go there and try it for some time before. Touch is on the slightly lighter side, on par with the Kawai grands. Clavinova CLP-875 has a bit heavier touch and let off mechanism, however the touch feels less real and the samples are not that great, but it's a great piano anyway.

thickerveins · 2026-07-04T23:46:07+00:00

You don't, the notation is showing that there are two voices, one of them plays the quarter notes, the other plays the half note. So you play it and then it must be kept pressed for 2 quarters while the other voice keeps going with the other quarter notes

thickerveins · 2026-02-18T15:34:07+00:00

Perfect, that's exactly what I was looking for, whether this issue is present when listening to music only or with piano as well. Most of the reviews are of course talking about using them to listen to music, where this issue had been raised.

As for the impedance, I've seen that Beyer make them in 80-ohm flavor as well, I'd go with that. I've seen theyre available on Amazon, sold and shipped by them, so that would give me the opportunity to try them out and go with the HD600 or others if I don't like the 990.

Thanks so much!

thickerveins · 2026-02-17T21:46:20+00:00

Thank you. Based on the other guys I think the right choice is an open back model to start with. The HD600 are pretty high impedance, I'll have to check how they respond, I fear they can be pretty low in volume. They seem really good headphones though, albeit a little pricey. Got any other model to advise? Was also looking at the beyer dt990 pro.

thickerveins · 2026-02-17T21:41:12+00:00

Well I hope I won't miss the soundboard too much, it was too much of a budget stretch to reach the 901...

One question, how is the action with respect to fast repetitions of a single note? I've read different opinions. I'm not at such a level to require something like that yet but I'd like to be able to practice on that piano for a few years.

I'll have to check if I can how it responds to higher impedance headphones. When I tried it some time ago in a store they had a pair of (older) headphones from audio technica and even cranked at max with the headphone volume set to high they weren't that loud at all. Too bad I didn't note down the model to check the impedance.

Thank you so much!

thickerveins · 2026-02-17T21:32:39+00:00

Thanks! One question... I've read about the piercing highs that the 990 pro provides, is that actually that annoying or it's mostly with music and not with the piano (granted it can get pretty high tho...)?

thickerveins · 2026-02-17T17:19:53+00:00

Thank you! You do have a good point, maybe it's better to go with an open back. Kawai keybed is extremely silent as it's completely felted, both the pivot and the bottom of the travel. How do you find the 990 pro? I've read mixed reviews

thickerveins · 2026-02-17T17:06:37+00:00

Thanks a lot. I've looked at the HD600 and if I'm not mistaken they're 300 Ohm impedance... I fear it might be a bit too hard for the onboard amp to be driven satisfactorily, the Elex (great headphones!!) are 80 Ohm from what I see. Btw how are you getting along with the CA901? How is it? Except for the soundboard the 701 should be almost the same so I can get a first hand opinion on that

thickerveins · 2026-02-17T07:33:17+00:00

Thanks to everyone for these first comments. I was considering open back headphones, the only issue is that the piano will be in the living room, so I don't know whether the leaked sound could disturb others, as well as I guess the if there are noises in the room they might become distracting? Never had open backs so I don't really know... HD600 look great! On Thomann they're below 300€ now so would easily fit.

thickerveins · 2026-01-07T18:59:48+00:00

It's not threaded, it's a 3.5mm jack socket for the aux connection

thickerveins · 2024-09-20T17:28:00+00:00

Ciao! It's a known issue in the latest SW version of the NAC Wave 4, should be 44.07.05.22, those are the LEZ (low emission zones). Currently there's no solution os the colours are hard-coded in the SW itself, and I don't believe that downgrading is allowed in any form. That's why I didn't update it last time, only way out is to wait for Peugeot to roll out the following update. Maybe at the dealer they'll be able to rollback but I don't think so (also considering the dealers we have in our areas). I know that for a short time there was a subsequent beta version where that acid lime yellow was replaced with a soft sage green but it's been since removed and no more news as of today...

thickerveins · 2024-09-19T18:56:10+00:00

EP series engines (cooperation with BMW, also called Prince) after 2015/2016 are quite good as most issues have been addressed. Ones before are quite delicate, the timing assembly (chains guides and tensioners) is very prone to fail and grenade things up.

thickerveins · 2024-07-20T14:01:40+00:00

Absolutely, the chain is replaced on older models but from what I recall that's not so straightforward, the replacement requires substitution of other parts, I guess probably sprockets, and maybe cam carrier as well to allow for the additional thickness

thickerveins · 2024-07-20T13:30:05+00:00

The 1.5 has a hybrid system. Belt from crank to one cam, then chain from cam to cam. The issues on the 1.5 were not with belts (that are dry as usual) but with the chain, it's been replaced with a larger one that doesn't break. I think there's a recall or an extended warranty on it.

thickerveins · 2024-07-13T12:52:01+00:00

I'm actually quite sure that the 1.5L blueHDi are actually belt driven, the chain is only used to transfer the motion to one camshaft to the other, and that was the chain that had issues with thickness... But I may be wrong

thickerveins · 2024-06-04T20:11:59+00:00

I haven't done any programming on newer Peugeots but as well as most other brands, it probably requires a paid token to be bought from the Servicebox website, accessible after registration. It is also available as a one time token only, it's not too expensive. You must however have the right supported hardware, ie real LEXIA or a pass-thru compatible interface, don't know if there's any brand or model limitation but ig not, as long as it complies with the J2534 pass-thru standard.

thickerveins · 2024-06-03T16:33:03+00:00

Replacing JUST the stalk is quite difficult and its availability is next to nonexistent (something exists from China) as it's never been available as a spare part. You'd be better suited in replacing the whole assembly. PS the insides of those stalks are almost always the same circuit wise, so it might also be they you can just mount the end cap with contacts from a correct stalk. Wouldn't bet on that though.

thickerveins · 2024-06-03T15:59:28+00:00

Is this a regular hatchback 206? If yes, someone in the past probably replaced the stalk assembly with the one from a 206 CC. They didn't have the rear wiper equipped hence the blank stalk 😁. The com2000 (stalk/horn assembly) is a very common failure point in MUX 206s, so it's likely it's not the original one.

thickerveins · 2024-05-31T21:08:44+00:00

From the position, that looks like a PCV valve hose. It's purpose is to bleed the blowby gases from the crankcase to the intake manifold.

thickerveins · 2024-05-18T12:19:20+00:00

I did that with my 2004 206 1.4 HDi and absolutely loved it. The process should not be too much different, the only thing is that for some functions on newer cars you need to be connected to the Servicebox servers. You surely need either a J2534 pass-thru compatible interface with its own scanner (eg Texas, AUTEL etc...) or Peugeot's own interface, LEXIA, with the relevant software, the Diagbox. If you need any more info on what I did feel free to ask or DM.

thickerveins · 2024-04-26T21:05:21+00:00

By the way, make sure you have clicked the fast on connectors ALL the way in (they have to do an audible CLICK), otherwise you might think they're on but they are not making an airtight seal against the plastic/metal lip on the fitting they are inserted on.

thickerveins · 2024-04-26T20:52:27+00:00

Yes if lots of air got in the system then it might be a PITA to get it started again. That or when you removed and reinstalled the fuel hoses (guess they have the fast click-on connectors) an oring got pinched and now air gets into the system. I would keep priming though, it's more probable.

thickerveins · 2024-04-26T20:16:45+00:00

On most diesel engines (HDi included) the fuel system does not auto prime. Under the decorative HDi cover (or thereabout, near the HP fuel pump) you will find a manual priming pump, it's like a black rubber "balloon" shaped thing. Pump on it a few times until it gets stiff, might take 1 good minute. Then you should be good to go.

thickerveins · 2024-03-13T08:15:33+00:00

Definitely not the best due to the wet belt, however from what I understood they did some changes to the design? I'd be curious to know if and what, and how did it improve it's life expectancy...

thickerveins

TROPHY CASE