Topic: Weighted controller: Kawai MP8 or ES8?
So my Ensoniq TS-12 I use with PT is getting a bit long in the tooth (it has weighted keys but the action isn't great and a bit squeaky), and I figured now's a good time to get a second-hand weighted keyboard for PT to replace it.
I first figured a cheap used Casio Privia is all I need for PT control - but after more research and demoing, I now think the Kawai digitals are great - both for their action (I really didn't dig the fake ivory plastic pattern stuff on th latest Privias, or their feel generally though it's OK), but also the latest Kawais have a pretty nice sound that would be nice to just 'switch on', when you can't be bothered to boot up your PC. They seem to be sample/modelled hybrids (initial attack is sampled, ringout is modelled), and so have a few model-type parameters like resonance, pedal noise etc.
For a sound producing one, the ES100/ES110 looked interesting, until I played the ES8, which has a higher fidelity version of the same samples (based on longer attack samples, and it really sounds richer), as well as a better action, with counterweights in the keys. It's a lot more expensive, but saving for a used ES8 seemed good - until I read about their all-wooden actions eg. on their older MP8 (MK1 and 2?). Those are affordable used, but their sounds aren't great, but then it could be a pure PT controller all about the realistic touch.
So, very good but plasticky ES8 action (and good sounds + lightweight), or (apparently) all-out near-perfect touch with a wooden action Kawai like the MP8?
Anyone have any experience with both/either? Purely for touch realism, are the wooden Kawai's better than the ES8? How much? And do they have more maintenance issues than their plastic counterparts?