New Yamaha NU1XA

HZPiano · 2023-09-13T18:31:49+00:00

Hello, A scoop by @ClothEaredNincompoop on PW: Press release: https://www.yamaha.com/en/news_release/2023/23091301/ Some short promo videos on YouTube (more might come): https://www.youtube.com/@yamahaglobal/videos "There's something new regarding the key/hammer sensors: Originally Posted by https://www.yamaha.com/en/news_release/2023/23091301/ Dual sensors detect key and hammer movement separately Yamaha's Articulation Sensor System is used to detect key and hammer movements, offering more accurate interpretation of subtle musical expression during performance. New hammer sensors have been added to more accurately detect timing and strength of hammers hitting the strings. Sensors under the keys accurately determine the stopping point of sounds and other nuances of performance, ensuring that even the most subtle musical expression is preserved."

CyberGene

Besides being cheaper and arguably better looking, I don’t see a reason why you would prefer the NU1XA over the N1X.

Pete14

But, CG, didn’t you say you “loved” the NU1X more than the N1X?😇

CyberGene

Pete14 you’re twisting my words, never said that 😀 Or, even if I did, it was probably some “lost in translation” moment on my side. The NU1X was a lovely instrument despite its apparent shortcomings but I only miss it for its more compact footprint and stylish design, where the N1X is a bit of an odd giant with its bulky body. But a grand piano action is simply better. I’ve grown up playing a small upright which is why I have sentiment for upright pianos but I have to be really biased to say I’d replace my N1X with an upright-action hybrid. Hope that clears it up 🙂

BTW, I’d take a NU1X(A) over any non-hybrid digital piano without hesitation. A real piano action is just so much better.

Pete14

Okay, so it’s the N1X(A) for me, if only I could afford it in the future-now!😉

According to the so-called experts, prices ain’t coming down anytime soon (or ever); in other words, this is the new normal, but still, I recommend waiting for interests to come down (if financing), and yes, I’d still like to see how the N1X(A) compares to the N1X……Granted, the jury is still out on whether the new NU1X(A) is better than the NU1X, and if it turns out that it isn’t (better) then there’s no reason to expect the N1X(A) to be better than the N1X….

……but……what if Yamaha discontinued both the N1X and N2, and released a whole new model comprised of the best of these two instruments: 10 speakers, ivorite, vibratin’ keys, VRM, new/more modeling, new samples, etc….

SouthPark

When they have these new sensors etc - let the others (ie. the TOFTT - take one for the team, aka guinea pigs) test it all out, and then provide the feedback to the yammy crew, and just keep an eye on the reviews. If all is good - then NU1XA. Otherwise, could wait for the third iteration - if they have one - NU1XB, where hopefully teething issues get sorted. NU1XA is the second iteration. NU1X with the system deficiency - that can't reliably/properly handle all the transitional states - is the first iteration.

From 'sand, software, sound' : nu1xa sensor

SouthPark

With the 'loud note' issue. I have a feeling that all digital pianos without 'hammer position' sensors (or adequate number of sensors for position/direction tracking) - and without adequate controlling/monitoring algorithm used - can very likely be made to trigger an unwanted loud note condition (or related issue). So basically - it's not just NU1X. But a heap of digital pianos out there.

On the other hand - we can see on certain forums (eg. PW) - some do focus on 'high' key repeat rate - a mix of 'elitists' and others. But when you come to think about it. Executing high repeat rate doesn't really equate to anything super fantastic. It does occasionally add interest to something. But if asked if necessary or compulsory - I don't reckon it is. But if somebody wants it - then that's obviously ok of course.

From a system design point of view. Digital pianos of the future should really have extra sensors for keeping track of direction and position (and velocity of course - and maybe even acceleration). And as some tinkerers already found out so far - processor speed, algorithm speed/efficiency etc are all factors in the design/implementation.

Pete14

Paid for/by Yamaha, but still an interesting watch until we get the “real” reviews:

https://youtu.be/fMbNrWrWOqQ?si=vV6lL6z73Pu3PHz0

SouthPark

Referring to … LINK

Somebody reckons they have a 60 watt power supply, and reckons their NU1XA rated output power is (40 + 45 watt) x 2 …. totalling 170 watt for the speaker system.

It's not my problem, but worth bringing it up.

Could an average power vs pmpo thing.

Pete14

SouthPark

Interesting!

I wonder what else has been “streamlined.”

SouthPark

I can only just think of a star trek quote - 'she canna take any more capN!' hehe

SouthPark

If that 170 watt is peak power, and all ideal case, and assuming average power will just be divide by 2, then 85 watt average power. Probably could go for 100 watt supply - 24V dc, 4 amp or 5 amp - instead of the 60 watt one. This is to just accommodate situations where somebody winds up the volume to max, and maybe has ear plugs on heheh …. and banging on those keys big time.

Will be good to hear what yammy says about the spec NU1XA power details … supply and speaker system.

Pete14

It seems like “Burkey” has played it at max volume without any issues…….

SouthPark

If it sounds ok at max volume - and no issues - then at least that is a good sign for the operations side of things. As for the spec powers ….. I'm just going to get a rug and a sweeping thing hehe

Also - this guy back in 2008 LINK wrote the wrong thing. Peak is not 'peak to peak'. Peak - in this audio case for a sinusoid test quantity (eg. an AC current or AC voltage) - is the maximum deviation of that sinusoid from 'zero'. It's not peak to peak. Because peak to peak is 'peak to peak'. And 'peak' is 'zero to peak'.

Zanoni

What really surprises me is the fact that hardly anyone on Pianoworld or on this forum has raised their voices at Yamaha, for stripping the NU1XA with half off it's audible power, compared to the former NU1X.

Playing the NU1X side by side the NU1XA made perfectly clear that the NU1XA, for what about amplifier and speaker power, is just a shadow compared with the former NU1X. This count’s also while listening to some good headphones. No power there either.

In the past people bashed Yamaha for the 'loud note issue'. They said it was a disgraceful design flaw and could not stop talking about it. Finally Yamaha addressed the loud note issue by developing a new sensor system that prevents the loud note to happen. That's great and I praise them for that.

But now they messed up something else, I would like to protest against. (I will contact Yamaha’s customer service to address this issue, and inform you about their response).

I don't know exactly what and why this happened? I' am not a technician. But I do have a pair of good working ears.

In my perception the NU1X was like a healthy bull with a magnificent pair of balls. The new NU1XA ‘looks’ like the same healthy bull, but one of which the balls are removed. And like the medieval castrates, left with a high powerless voice.

Is it the removal of the internal powersupply/transformer and replacing that for an external 60 watt AC adapter that killed the amplifier/speaker power of the instrument? I don't know.

But if that's the case I would like Yamaha to reverse this step and bring back a decent internal powersupply/transformer to the instrument and by doing so, giving the NU1XA back his balls 🙂

CyberGene

Zanoni removal of the internal powersupply/transformer and replacing that for an external 60 watt AC adapter

Huh? 😲 Didn’t know that. What a silly decision! It must be world’s first to offer a cabinet style piano (a premium one at that!) with an external power supply. Unless I’ve missed some sick new trend in digital pianos 🤦🏻‍♂️

SouthPark

I just want to know if yammy should do the 'please explain' thing about the 170 W total speaker power value, and the 60 W power supply rating.

SouthPark

Zanoni What really surprises me is the fact that hardly anyone on Pianoworld or on this forum has raised their voices at Yamaha, for stripping the NU1XA with half off it's audible power, compared to the former NU1X.

Somebody on pw did buy a NU1XA, and apparently no complaints about unsatisfactory volume level. And as for this forum, I think maybe the one that bought one is the same one from PW. Maybe not enough stats yet gathered about user experiences (of many users) after having used it for a relatively long time.

I use P series slab Yamaha for a few years, and play them pretty much every day, except on travel holidays. And to me, the slab yammy p-series are gold. And that is when they're in standalone mode. Not connected to external speakers or headphones.

Each person has their own requirements, taste, abilities etc. The main thing for me only ….. is hopefully the user enjoys playing the music instrument. And of course, the usual recommendation is to try/test before buying. Try/test at least. If not, then not our fault. And if there are under-the-radar issues later, then just deal with that later if possible, as some things are beyond control.

Zanoni

I guess that Pianoworld somebody that bought the NU1XA is Burkey from Australia. I read his comment on his new piano and quote:

"I have been playing my NU1XA at full volume for a couple of months now: zero issues so far - no distortion in the bass. It’s a dream machine. Yes it’s not the loudest of instruments - it easily fills a standard sized room though".

Obviously the man is happy with his new piano, I can imagine. But his comment on being happy with the volume power of this: ‘not the loudest of instruments’, is just a rationalisation of what went wrong with it.

Just play these two instruments side by side and you will notice the huge difference in volume immediately.

This afternoon I send a message to Yamaha Support. I will inform you about their answer.

Pete14

Zanoni In my perception the NU1X was like a healthy bull with a magnificent pair of balls. The new NU1XA ‘looks’ like the same healthy bull, but one of which the balls are removed. And like the medieval castrates, left with a high powerless voice.

Other than the tiny balls (or no balls at all) did you notice any improvement in sound-imaging, sampling quality, etc?

It’d be a shame if Yamaha dropped the ball on this one (no pun intended); considering how popular the NU1X despite the “loud-note” issue.

SouthPark

For the P-525, which is also a yammy product, I confirm that the head-phone output power is much lower than the one for the P-515. This has been noticed by quite a number of other people. Not sure why that happened. I think whoever was responsible for that has probably got the 'M.O.' already by now. aka marching you-know-what.

It's not so bad for users that have powered head-phones though …. ones with onboard amplification. But for the regular passive headphone units, even around the 40 ohm or so level (not delving into 'sensitivity') -- users may well find things on the 'quieter' side.

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