Topic by davidizquierdo82

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  • davidizquierdo82
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Topic: CA99 vs LX706 advice

Hi folks,

I've been trying a few models in a little local store where the selection was very limited. Played the LX705 and really captivated me despite the different opinions about thin sound etc. It sounded to me exceptionally good, and the speaker system provided a big nice presence. Also liked the upright design and sound customization. Only thing was bass fell short at all levels, I tried it once and again after playing other models but I was still missing some more bass..

Also was very excited to see a GP310 with that Bechstein plate, played it and to my surprise I was completely disappointed, the sound, the playing experience were just awful, unlike the great videos Casio posts on YouTube, I listened to them all and they sound really beautiful, and makes you think what a nice action must it have.. I'm pretty sure it is in fact a good action, it's after all made in collaboration with Bechstein, but I just couldn't fall in love with the instrument, and yes, tried all piano sounds..

I've played a CA97 for the last 6 years and cannot regret it, action and sound wise, it's a superb instrument although I suffered a lot the faulty design since I ended up replacing all tape slips by real felt because the keys started to feel stiff and unplayable one after the other.. A lot of research and trials at my own risk until I properly solved the problem.

Now, I'm up to sell it since I've got an interested buyer, so I thought it may be the time to get up to-date with the new technology.

I'm now torn between the CA99 (I think it's the perfect package all in all) and the LX706 that comes with the extra long PHA50 and the new modeling engine (that I truly liked). I'm not including the LX708 because it's one single piece and I'm to move (country) in few months, and I don't want the hassle of getting such a big bulk into elevators etc

I'm not including the CA79 because I just don't like its shape at all (similar to my CA97).

I know it's contradictory and it's not a fair comparison etc. but those are my potential options, the one I really love though it's the less convenient in terms of mobility, and the other that I'd be happy with and that I'd be yet happier once I'm up to moving..

As a last but not least remark, I'd briefly want to point out that I'm a pianoteq fan and Id love to play it through the on-board speakers. I've had some experience already but not completely satisfactory though my CA97 speakers, although I could improve it a lot by tweaking here and there. It's not the main criteria though to chose one of both mentioned pianos here.

I wonder what you guys think it'd be a wiser move, also considering price difference.

Regards,
David

P85>Kawai CA97>Numa XGT>FP90X>LX706
Pianoteq 8 Pro (all instruments) + Organteq 2
i7 4790K W11 64bits + UMC1820 + MTM + DT770 pro X
http://youtube.com/DavidIzquierdoAzzouz

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Reply by Nigell

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  • Nigell
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  • Registered: 15-01-2018
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Re: CA99 vs LX706 advice

davidizquierdo82 wrote:

Hi folks,
I've played a CA97 for the last 6 years and cannot regret it, action and sound wise, it's a superb instrument although I suffered a lot the faulty design since I ended up replacing all tape slips by real felt because the keys started to feel stiff and unplayable one after the other.. A lot of research and trials at my own risk until I properly solved the problem.

I'm now torn between the CA99 (I think it's the perfect package all in all) and the LX706 that comes with the extra long PHA50 and the new modeling engine (that I truly liked). I'm not including the LX708 because it's one single piece and I'm to move (country) in few months, and I don't want the hassle of getting such a big bulk into elevators etc

I'm not including the CA79 because I just don't like its shape at all (similar to my CA97).

As a last but not least remark, I'd briefly want to point out that I'm a pianoteq fan and Id love to play it through the on-board speakers. I've had some experience already but not completely satisfactory though my CA97 speakers, although I could improve it a lot by tweaking here and there. It's not the main criteria though to chose one of both mentioned pianos here.

I wonder what you guys think it'd be a wiser move, also considering price difference.

Regards,
David

Hi David,

I am in a very similar position to you. I have the CA97, and again I found the slip tape issue very annoying. Luckily I've a 5 year guarantee, which is still valid, and it means I can get a Kawai engineer over to my house who will strip off the slip tape and re-apply. For those that don't know, the non-stick tape at the end of the key means it slides against a brass, round head. Unfortunately the slip tape can come loose from its backing, leading to clicks or stickiness as some of the glue comes free. I've never thought about replacing all the tapes with felt, which seems like a huge job, and prefer the idea of getting it serviced one last time and replacing the piano.

As you can imagine I've got to know the technician very well over the past few years, and he doesn't have a strong opinion on the CA99 mechanism yet, although he has taken one apart. I guess over time we'll know how durable it is.

In the UK it's been impossible to try a replacement as we are in lockdown. But, while waiting to try some pianos out as a replacement, I have thought about the CA99. It seems to be an excellent answer. As with you David, I do mainly play Pianoteq through the CA97 speakers, and it is better than any of the Kawai sounds. I'm not sure how well it would work with the CA99 speaker system, although it could be made to work.

As for Roland pianos, I am lucky enough to learn with Phil Best in his home, and play on his Roland upright. I can't remember which model it is, but it has the PHA50 action, which he loves. He uses it as a very expensive speaker stand, and doesn't use the internal voices at all. The set up is great, and the action perfectly good, though I do love the Kawai.

As I'm not worrying about internal sounds, I'd probably go for the newer Kawai, choosing the one that I can rest my laptop on best - which from the videos I've seen is the CA79 - so I can run Pianoteq and play from scores on the screen (crazy reason, but that's what I need). I don't want to run Pianoteq through speakers on the piano - I want a nice piece of furniture and often use headphones to not disturb the house.

All the best - Nigel

Reply by davidizquierdo82

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  • davidizquierdo82
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Re: CA99 vs LX706 advice

Nigell wrote:
davidizquierdo82 wrote:

Hi folks,
I've played a CA97 for the last 6 years and cannot regret it, action and sound wise, it's a superb instrument although I suffered a lot the faulty design since I ended up replacing all tape slips by real felt because the keys started to feel stiff and unplayable one after the other.. A lot of research and trials at my own risk until I properly solved the problem.

I'm now torn between the CA99 (I think it's the perfect package all in all) and the LX706 that comes with the extra long PHA50 and the new modeling engine (that I truly liked). I'm not including the LX708 because it's one single piece and I'm to move (country) in few months, and I don't want the hassle of getting such a big bulk into elevators etc

I'm not including the CA79 because I just don't like its shape at all (similar to my CA97).

As a last but not least remark, I'd briefly want to point out that I'm a pianoteq fan and Id love to play it through the on-board speakers. I've had some experience already but not completely satisfactory though my CA97 speakers, although I could improve it a lot by tweaking here and there. It's not the main criteria though to chose one of both mentioned pianos here.

I wonder what you guys think it'd be a wiser move, also considering price difference.

Regards,
David

Hi David,

I am in a very similar position to you. I have the CA97, and again I found the slip tape issue very annoying. Luckily I've a 5 year guarantee, which is still valid, and it means I can get a Kawai engineer over to my house who will strip off the slip tape and re-apply. For those that don't know, the non-stick tape at the end of the key means it slides against a brass, round head. Unfortunately the slip tape can come loose from its backing, leading to clicks or stickiness as some of the glue comes free. I've never thought about replacing all the tapes with felt, which seems like a huge job, and prefer the idea of getting it serviced one last time and replacing the piano.

As you can imagine I've got to know the technician very well over the past few years, and he doesn't have a strong opinion on the CA99 mechanism yet, although he has taken one apart. I guess over time we'll know how durable it is.

In the UK it's been impossible to try a replacement as we are in lockdown. But, while waiting to try some pianos out as a replacement, I have thought about the CA99. It seems to be an excellent answer. As with you David, I do mainly play Pianoteq through the CA97 speakers, and it is better than any of the Kawai sounds. I'm not sure how well it would work with the CA99 speaker system, although it could be made to work.

As for Roland pianos, I am lucky enough to learn with Phil Best in his home, and play on his Roland upright. I can't remember which model it is, but it has the PHA50 action, which he loves. He uses it as a very expensive speaker stand, and doesn't use the internal voices at all. The set up is great, and the action perfectly good, though I do love the Kawai.

As I'm not worrying about internal sounds, I'd probably go for the newer Kawai, choosing the one that I can rest my laptop on best - which from the videos I've seen is the CA79 - so I can run Pianoteq and play from scores on the screen (crazy reason, but that's what I need). I don't want to run Pianoteq through speakers on the piano - I want a nice piece of furniture and often use headphones to not disturb the house.

All the best - Nigel

Hi Nigel,

I see we're in the same boat then.

As you well say, I really care for the piano to be a piece of furniture too, that's why I'm just discarding any slab alike thing like pure MIDI controllers etc.

Also, I've recently come to a very decent PIANOTEQ sound through my onboard speakers, which makes a cabinet style digital a potential option. The main reason I'd upgrade to a CA99 is the upright shape plus some technology, because honestly I'm pretty happy with my GF2 and yet more now that I've replaced all 88 keys with felt, and lord it makes a difference, it's such a pleasure to have a consistent feeling throughout the entire keyboard..

Well back to the matter, since I have a farily big screen attached to the wall just in front of me when playing the piano, I don't really need the space for a laptop etc, but I can get your point since in your case the CA79 would be better option, though the spinet cabinet shape... also not to forget the big difference the soundboard gives, after these years I can certainly say it is a real thing rather than just a marketing argument.

As for the Roland models, I played the LX705 with its PHA50 and the new sound generator, it felt great all in all, but 4 speakers.. I really missed that growling bass of my soundboard, other than that it felt great, even sound presence was very realistic, they're definetely doing a great job with their LX product array.

One thing really holds me back from that series is the control panel, that cannot really be hidden like in the CA99/79 that just turns off withing few seconds and the instruments aesthetically becomes a pure acoustic.

Also been seeing review about the LX708, that thing seems to be a true beast, and its shape is just awesome, really like the design even a bit more than the CA99.

For now, I've removed the advertisment and no longer selling my CA97 because it's not really worth it the additional money I'd be spending on a new thing that is giving me just a bit more that I currently have, so I'm sticking to it until I finally move and will see what the options by then are

Regards,
David

P85>Kawai CA97>Numa XGT>FP90X>LX706
Pianoteq 8 Pro (all instruments) + Organteq 2
i7 4790K W11 64bits + UMC1820 + MTM + DT770 pro X
http://youtube.com/DavidIzquierdoAzzouz

davidizquierdo82's Website