Topic by KyotoMe

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  • KyotoMe
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  • Registered: 25-05-2018
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Topic: CA 78 or MP11SE

Hello,
I am in the market to upgrade my piano setup (I am an aspiring beginner), looking for an investment that will serve me for years to come.  Based on the recommendations in this forum and elsewhere, I am very much intrigued by the MP11SE.  So I went to a few showrooms, but I could never actually find a real MP11SE to play with.  Now, the keyboard action is the same as the CA 58, so I played that, but then came across the CA 78, which has an even nicer feel somehow.  On top of that, it is a real piece of furniture with sound coming out of it -- I originally did not think of this as important, since I plan to use Pianoteq mainly, but it does no harm either.  I am not planing to move around the MP11SE a lot, it is basically for use at home. 

Now I realized that the price for the CA 78 and the MP11SE is exactly the same (but for the MP11SE, I would need to get a stand, monitors etc), but the CA 78 has the GF II action, while the MP11SE has "only" GF Standard. 

So it seems that on all counts the CA 78 comes out ahead of the MP11SE.  Are there things I overlooked?  Would you still recommend the MP11SE over the CA 78?   Please give me your thoughts.

Reply by mcoll

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  • Registered: 12-12-2017
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Re: CA 78 or MP11SE

The CA58 doesn't have the same action as the MP11SE, it has the GF-C, which feels pretty nice in my opinion. In some ways nicer (it is less spongy), but the keys are also significantly shorter (still reasonable length, but barely, in my opinion).
Also, I don't know where you're shopping, but in Europe (thomann), the MP11SE is 550 euros cheaper. Other than that, if you don't intend to move it around, having an actual furniture stand, with key cover and music stand included is very nice. The speakers and sound engine in the CA78 are also quite good and you might enjoy them more than you expect. And they're certainly very usable if/when you'll play for other people (family, friends).

If you don't need the mobility and you can afford it, the CA78 is a very nice option. If you don't need the mobility and the price is a little high, the CA58 will be quite good as well for 650e less. If mobility/price is a factor, I would also add the Roland FP90 to the list, or the HP601 - they both can be had for around 1400 euros in some places, and I find the action very very good. In some ways I prefer it to the GF actions, in some ways the GFs are better.

Reply by KyotoMe

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Re: CA 78 or MP11SE

Dear mcoll,
Thanks for answering to my request.  I am shopping in Japan and as I said CA 78 and MP11SE come out the same here.  And thanks for clarifying the difference in the action between CA 58 and MP11SE.  Since I can't try the latter, I thought that would be a substitute, but apparently I was mistaken.  Unfortunately, no luck in locating a shop with the MP11SE.  In the meantime I will investigate the FP 90 from Roland as well, which indeed looks quite promising!

Cheers

Reply by mcoll

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Re: CA 78 or MP11SE

The action in the MP11SE is the first version of the GF action. The one in the CA78 is the GF II and it's the same action with some minor changes (you can probably find specific information about this on the pianoworld forum in older threads about the CA67 / CA97). The GF and GF II should feel pretty similar overall, so you can expect the MP11SE to be similar action-wise to the CA78.
And, again, if you don't need a stage piano for some particular reason, I think the CA78 makes a lot more sense, especially at the same price.

Last edited by mcoll (06-10-2018 15:41)

Reply by Qexl

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Re: CA 78 or MP11SE

Hi KyotoMe, great advice from @mcoll

I am very pleased with my MP11 because, while I also own a furniture piano, I use monitors for other audio work. You may not have this use case scenario (at least not at present but  it may be desired it in future).

The MP11 stays in place with monitors in my space, suitable for any audio (record/edit in a DAW etc) and I now never think to play my lonely furniture piano. If recording, or listening/mixing other audio is important also, then it can be a primary consideration. I cannot say I regret purchasing my furniture piano - but at that time, I didn't think how much more convenient it would be to just have a slab. At that time I wasn't replacing other midi controller equipment but now, the MP11 is the heart of it all.

If you can acquire an MP11, the savings might provide budget for your monitors.

Regarding Grand Feel and Grand Feel II - my preference is the Grand Feel because I actually prefer its key weighting. The version II updated the look and feel of the black keys to "Ebony" to match the ivory look keys (the original is fine to me) and the key weightings changes are not to my preference. We all differ, but I am sure that I would not be displeased with either Grand Feel actions.

Pianoteq Studio Bundle (Pro plus all instruments)  - Kawai MP11 digital piano - Yamaha HS8 monitors