Just an update.
The PA5X has gone back to Bonners and they reckon it should be fixed in several weeks as Korg are apparently quite local. I will still be selling it on or exchanging.
The chap at Bonners was super friendly. It is a nice store for sure. I hope I can always stay on good terms with these guys.
Having said that the extended warranty options at Gear4music (which ARE transferrable when you sell on the equipment unlike Bonners I believe) are very competitive looking.
I tried out a number of keybeds in my quest to have a weighted piano action alongside a Genos (and probably Yamaha's next arranger later this year / next year as replacement/addition).
(Not sure this will help anyone, but I'd rather post this for you friendly guys rather than starting a pianoworld account)
My findings:
Kawai CA99 (Grand Feel III)There is no competition. This is by far the
quietest and smoothest digital keybed as I remember it being great on the CA67 also. Absolute joy to play on.
Their in store MP11se they recently had was apparently sold but I'd rather have a new one anyway. Think that will be the one.
A VPC1 is probably ok but seems a bit of an older model now, and maybe on board piano and other controls are still nice to have. New stock MP11se are due in July. But maybe Kawai will show a MP12 at NAMM. Will wait to see what happens whilst I am waiting on stock.
If you are looking for a digital piano upright, the CA99 is easily the best I reckon. Very nice. A bit odd having volume on one side and piano controls on the other. I thought this was a bit strange. In fact the volume buttons on all Kawais seemed to be in slightly strange locations. I had to look for them whilst that wasn't the case elsewhere.
Yamaha CVP809Very nice for sure. Seemed like fun to play and I messed around with the piano room for a few minutes.
Not as nice as the Kawai wooden keybed but probably one of the best plastic /hybrid ones, whatever it is in there. A nice all round instrument.
Don't think I would get the best out of it though. A Genos and separate weighted action I think is my style. I love the Genos so much. Don't think a CVP can replace that for me personally.
Kawai ES920Almost as good as the CVP809 I would say. Very good for a plastic keybed. Far better than the PA5X. Noticeably better than the Roland FP90 next to it.
Doubt I'd ever have a Roland weighted action again. I was disappointed with the RD2000.
Nord GrandThe weirdest one of the day.
Surprisingly strange! When I pressed the keys down there is this sort of knocking at the bottom that doesn't feel natural / right. It's like they are trying to mimic some type of wooden piano knocking that I am not familiar with. I think the ES920 would be better, which is weird at this price.
The sound was good though of course, since it's Nord. Disappointing keybed wise as this was a contender alongside the MP11se for me. Out of the question now.
Nord Piano 5Disgusting Fatar keybed like the PA5X. Obviously worse than the ES920 and also the FP90, easily the worst one I tried in the entire shop. ULTRA noisy, like you are hammering a flatpack together. I don't get why/how people put up with this Fatar stuff at these prices. Awful. I get that it has to be manageable and portable for these digital pianos so HAS to be plastic but Roland, Kawai and Yamaha do this so much better. So strange.
The Nord Grand does seem better but like I said, that knocking thing, I just don't think I can get use to it. Shame. No Nord for me again I think.
PA5X - 61The biggest surprise of the day probably.
It wasn't switched on but I gave the keybed a little try. It seemed excellent.
I'd recommend going for the 61 or 76 key option if you want a PA5X! If you need a weighted keybed, get one in addition and go for a high end plastic or wooden Kawai.
Kawai MP11se it is I think....
Will give an update once that setup is in place.